07-21-2008, 10:02 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Irons, Michigan
Posts: 111
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Aeromods
Finding materials proved to be the biggest hurdle. The rear wheel skirts were made from gylon a nylon gasket material. They were attached using Metrompg style clips, very secure. They where there during recent mpg improvements but are now painted. Already working on replacing them. Made a fiberglass skin of the skirt yesterday that came out fairly well but still needs a lot of work. The new ones will fit flush with the wheel wells. The hubcaps are made from aluminum trays and smooths out the wheels well, I invision an abreviated fender skirt that comes uo to the edge of the tire without interfering with the wheels turnout, filling the gap between the fender and tire. Think rainbow. Finding material here in the boonies is a challenge, but will go on another search today. Saw two large election sign of coroplast. When the elections over I will do my public duty and clean up for them. The image didn't attach. I will try again.
homeworkhome53
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07-21-2008, 10:10 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Irons, Michigan
Posts: 111
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Photo
homeworkhome
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07-21-2008, 10:41 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 1,651
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Looks pretty good. Keep us updated on the mileage increase from it.
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07-21-2008, 02:24 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA
Posts: 593
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Hello,
I have not heard of "gylon" -- how rigid is it? Do you take off the skirts to change the wheel?
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07-21-2008, 06:55 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Irons, Michigan
Posts: 111
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Gylon is a blue nylon material used in making gasket. It's very tough. This is about 1/8" thick. It will bend but is very stiff. Yes you have to take them off to change the tire, but it take only about 3 minute.
homeworkhome 53
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07-21-2008, 07:01 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A.
Posts: 803
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skirts
To the casual observer,they could pass for production pieces.Nice work! Send pictures of the tear-soaked gas pump when you can.
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07-28-2008, 03:41 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Walled Lake, MI
Posts: 21
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Wheel well covers
It would be nice to find someone who mass produces these for those of us who are, shall we say "creatively challenged". LOL I envision something looking like a train wreck if I tried to make them. How much you charge me for a pair painted Aveo Black? 
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07-28-2008, 04:19 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Pokémoderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,683
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Unklecueball -
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unklecueball
It would be nice to find someone who mass produces these for those of us who are, shall we say "creatively challenged". LOL I envision something looking like a train wreck if I tried to make them. How much you charge me for a pair painted Aveo Black? |
Here's a few from JC-Whitney :
Fender Skirts at JC Whitney
Now, the trick would be to figure out IF the dimensions of these custom products match your car. If yes, then you have the basis for a clean mod.
CarloSW2 |
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07-28-2008, 05:14 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Irons, Michigan
Posts: 111
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Unclecueball
I don't really have any skill either. I just go slow and think it out. My work is not for sale, to much to do, to little time. I borrowed the idea for the fasteners from Metro MPG. I looked the internet over to try and find a commercial fender skirts for sale. Couldn't find any that fit, so I made some. Already refined them for better fit. Found a set of racing disc wheel covers at JC Whitney. The skirts and covers are good for 2-3 mpg.
homeworkhome53
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07-30-2008, 04:57 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Walled Lake, MI
Posts: 21
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Wheel well covers
2 to 3 MPG is about what I need to close in on 45 MPG.  I will look on Whitney- (Dang haven't looked there in a while) I am going to see what I can do about blocking the grill. Any suggestions?
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07-30-2008, 06:16 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Saint Louis, MO
Posts: 198
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Sounds like you'll be home-work-home on one gallon in no time! Those wheel wells are at the extreme rear of the car, so you should see a big gain. If your ride to work involves lots of highway, you could be really close to your goal!
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"You laugh now at my recycled materials-ecomodded car. I laugh later when I see you at the fuel pump!" 
The day will come (soon) when a Geo is worth more than a Hummer, except for scrap metal. http://www.scientificmethodfueleconomy.blogspot.com/
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07-30-2008, 07:21 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Irons, Michigan
Posts: 111
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Reached my goal already (2 weeks ago) just going to see how far I can go.
homeworkhome53
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08-18-2008, 11:05 AM
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#13 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Walled Lake, MI
Posts: 21
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Grats
Congrats on your 53mpg goal. Gotta try my hand at those wheel well covers and a grill block myself. Was thinking of black duct tape to start that way I can fiddle with the right size and be able to easily peel off if I overheat. Any suggestions?
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08-18-2008, 08:11 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Irons, Michigan
Posts: 111
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Unclecueball
3M has a dark gray duct tape they call 3X which sticks better than most I've used it for a lower grill block and partial body pan from the fender to the radiator. Works good
Homeworkhome53
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08-18-2008, 09:24 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 14
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well covers look great...forgive my ignorance here.. what exactly is coroplast, and gylon?...I'm sure I could work with either of them, if I knew where to get some...
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08-18-2008, 10:19 PM
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#16 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA
Posts: 593
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Hi,
Coroplast is a corrugated plastic sheet -- often used for signs, and the bins that the Post Office uses. Very durable and resistance to many solvents. It is usually 4mm thick, and comes in about 8 or 12 colors.
The OP describes Gylon here.
I would also mention Gorilla Tape -- black (somewhat shiny, with a light gray sticky face), very tough, and very sticky. |
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