Daox's 2003 Matrix Build Thread

[trikkonceptz]

Hi there, I own your cousin car the Vibe. I know it was winter when you did the radiator blocks, but have you had a chance to drive the car or will you drive the car with the blocks on during the summer months? Won't the car overheat in the summer? Does it really save that much gas?

Just asking the dumb questions at this stage because now that I have changed my driving I want to start tweaking the vibe within reasonable limits ..

[edbso]

Fortunately the Matrix has a "real" temperature gauge not idiot lightz.



I watch it and it is rock solid. The fan will come on at a long light.

I also use an indoor/outdoor thermometer to monitor the air intake temperature.

The nice think about tape used as a grill block it is easily removed and more added.

As to saving gas??? I am exceeding the EPA numbers.

[trikkonceptz]

Now building on the idea ... would building these grille blocks work just as well if they were installed with as little as a 1/2" spacer in order to allow some air in at idle? I would assume the seperation would have very little effect on the aero dynamics in motion?

[Daox]

Nice bellypan edbso! What kind of mileage were you getting before having it installed?

trikkonceptz, I removed the lower block when the outside temperatures started to rise. With both of the blocks in place I noticed that the radiator fan would come on quite often in city driving which my wife does a lot of. It definitly wouldn't overheat, but the fan going all the time would probably negate any benefits of the block. However, if the Matrix was only really used for highway driving I would have probably kept the block in place. I believe the large gap between the bumper cover and support member of the car allows plenty of cooling at highway speeds (see the first picture in post #6). I'd still highly recommend a scangauge or similar device to accurately read the coolant temperature. The dial gauge on the car is not accurately telling you the temp of the coolant.

I definitly believe that the grill block has helped though. In the winter I noticed an immediate increase in mileage despite the weather getting colder. Now that its summer my wife (primary driver) has been pretty consistantly getting 36+ mpg. You can click my signature to see my mileage log. Unfortuantely, I don't have notes saying when I installed the block.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

Now building on the idea ... would building these grille blocks work just as well if they were installed with as little as a 1/2" spacer in order to allow some air in at idle? I would assume the seperation would have very little effect on the aero dynamics in motion?

That would probably hurt aero.

[edbso]

Thanks.


The top row of openings are actually closed at the factory and allow no air to pass. So I have only 1 row letting air in plus the "crack" where the hood and bumper meet.




The top 2 rows are open on the bottom grill.

The openings are very easily adjustable with another piece of tape or removing one.



I have also closed off the fake brake cooling ducts with 3 pieces of tape. Again all in an effort to smooth out the airflow.

I have not had a previous clean run of some distance at 70 to be able to do a before and after calculation. Previous record high 41.48 mpg Canadian on the back highways at about 55 to 60mph.

Exceeding the Highway EPA estimates at 70 mph pleases me and is something of an accomplishment.

[jcantara]

Originally Posted by edbso

Fortunately the Matrix has a "real" temperature gauge not idiot lightz.

Note: I would strongly, strongly suggest you do not trust the "real" temperature gauge, it isn't good:
http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=2066

[trikkonceptz]

Edbso .. Thanks for the pics ... why not use Blue painters tape? That packaging tape may take off or ruin your paint over time ... Just looking out for ya ...

[Daox]

Alright, I finally had a free weeknight! So, I decided it should be Matrix bellypan time. Last week I picked up a 4'x8' sheet of black coroplast for this project. The front piece here took half the sheet. Not much to it really, just cut, fit, cut, fit, etc. I really am liking the results even though I didn't have enough time to fasten the back side of it yet. Darn sunlight, theres never enough of it.


Here is what we are starting with.




Here is the coroplast sheet. I used half of it for the piece you'll see below.




I took off one of the wheels and traced out where it needed to be cut for clearance. You can kind of see my pencil marks here.




This is the near final form.




And here is it fitted on the car using the jack to hold the back side in place.

[Daox]

The bellypan is finished up. The back is held to the chassis with those plastic expanding body fasteners with the pin in the middle. They work great. Unfortunately, the pictures turned out really dark though so I'm not even going to bother posting. They look like the last picture but without the jack. I took it for a spin on the highway and everything is nice and smooth and quiet (no flapping noises). When I get some time I'll do the coast down testing and get some final pictures.

Edit: Here is my best picture... I had to provide something. Told ya its dark though.