Considering fender skirts

[Johnny Mullet]

I might have to try this EcoMod on my 1998 Metro since the results I hear are really an improvement. Not only that, I think they would look sweet on my car! I would use some sort of hinge design, but the skirts would become a permanent part of the car and totally secure in order for me to be happy with it.

I used some paint skills and was surprised how it would look if painted to match bumper or repainted both bumper and skirts.........

[MetroMPG]

Looks good. You need to get yourself some smooth wheel covers too.

[dunhamjr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Looks good. You need to get yourself some smooth wheel covers too.

do you think that smooth caps would really provide much benefit for the rears in combo with the fender covers?

maybe a little I guess... been considering the stainless discs on my 98 swift, but 13" discs are $70 + ship.

[MetroMPG]

If I had to guess, I'd say the difference in fuel economy of smoothies vs bare rims is probably undetectable in normal tank-to-tank watching. But that's not to say they don't work - just very little.

I wouldn't spend $70 unless you like the way they look, too. Don't buy them to save money anyway.

[LostCause]

MetroMPG's site is your best source for quantification of their benefits.

Looking at your picture, I'm amazed at how much of the wheel still protrudes. Ideally, I would lower the car a few inches and/or fair in the tire with wheel splitters and boattails. A fender skirt on its own should return measurable results, but a lot of potential for improvement will still exist.

MetroMPG, AndrewJ, and ChrisD all used different methods of constructing their fender skirts, so you might want to search for their threads if you are in need of ideas.

- LostCause

[Johnny Mullet]

I have picked up 2 truck mudflaps from work. They are 28" X 32" and made of a hard molded black plastic that is easily bendable and smooth on both sides. They are not really thick, but very strong and lightweight.

I will get some pics up when the project begins.............

[Bror Jace]

I'll look forward to those pics, Johnny.

I'd pay $150 or so for good-looking fender skirts for my '06 Civic ... can't see making something myself for a late model car. Ideally, I'd want it to look 'factory' ... or damn close.

I thought a bit about making smooth wheel covers for my front wheels ... but again, I don't want the result to look ridiculously amateurish ... and I don't want to add weight (like a chrome-plated steel pizza tray) to the wheels which could offset the slight aero advantage the smooth cover provides.

I can't wait until someone comes out with a bolt/clip-on aero kit for the latest generation Honda Civic as well as other popular cars.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Bror Jace

I thought a bit about making smooth wheel covers for my front wheels ... but again, I don't want the result to look ridiculously amateurish ... and I don't want to add weight (like a chrome-plated steel pizza tray) to the wheels which could offset the slight aero advantage the smooth cover provides.

Aero trumps weight. (Within reason.)