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View Poll Results: What will the results of A-B-A testing show?
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Reduced drag vs. normal grille block
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50 |
46.73% |
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Increased drag vs. normal grille block
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22 |
20.56% |
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No significant change
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15 |
14.02% |
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AAAAAHHH! MY EYES!!
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40 |
37.38% |
08-25-2009, 01:09 PM
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#51 (permalink)
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Dartmouth 2010
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
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As darin told me at AMEC, he's not convinced they work! Hopefully he'll find time to do some coastdown testing on them in the next day or two 
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Today
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Other popular topics in this forum...
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08-25-2009, 01:38 PM
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#52 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Good eye (memory), Neil.
I only actually completed one. In the limited amount of driving I did with that and a taped-on one (straight road, obviously!), there was no obvious change, according to my butt-o-meter.
Not that I'd ever trust a butt-o-meter.
I always planned to A-B-A them, and will do coastdown testing very soon to settle the matter. Turns out a strong-ish wind has come up today, so this won't be the one. I'll update the original front fender skirt thread when I've got some data.
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08-29-2009, 03:38 PM
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#53 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Omaha Nebraska area
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I know there was already some discussion about this, but on my mirage I put an air dam on the bottom of the bumper, and it was only about 2" from the ground and I had alot of success with this.
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08-29-2009, 04:35 PM
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#54 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: League City, TX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Binger
I know there was already some discussion about this, but on my mirage I put an air dam on the bottom of the bumper, and it was only about 2" from the ground and I had alot of success with this.
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Got piccies?  |
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08-29-2009, 05:55 PM
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#55 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
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Hi Darin,
Maybe you can go with partial skirts, like I'm using?
Scion xA aero mods
They certainly helped me, though the xA has oversized wheel openings, so your car will have different/less affects. Another complication might be the front spoiler? Your car in stock form looks like it has greater air flow under the nose, and some of that flow surely comes out past the front wheels?
If you "permanently" add the chin spoiler, that reduces this air flow under the nose, then the air flow past the front wheels on the outside may show greater improvement with the wheel skirts? |
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09-03-2009, 03:50 PM
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#56 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Fullerton, CA
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So what is the answer?
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09-03-2009, 06:43 PM
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#57 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Wisconsin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
I still can't get over a 4-banger Pinto only getting 14.5mpg.  My 4x4 V8 F150 does better than that unless I'm towing. Used to have an F250 4x4 with a 460 V8 that got 13-14 NO MATTER WHAT. There is something wrong with this equation.
I don't remember them being THAT bad, 70 mph notwithstanding.
I got around 20ish with my 283 V8 a/t equipped Nova- supposed to be 55mph but often was closer to 70.
Was their car messed up? |
I has to be. I have an old 1979 Pinto Hatchback 2.3L that was averaging 22.5 MPG before I parked it. That is with zero aero mods, and a missing grill. The only real modifications I did was chopped the air filter case open, made up a 2 1/4 inch glass pack side exit exhaust, removed the little plastic restrictor thing from the timing vacuum advance line, and removed the rear seats.
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09-03-2009, 06:58 PM
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#58 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Wisconsin
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The air dam I made for my truck is about 11 inches from the ground. I wanted some clearance for snow and some light off road trails. I made it into sort of a delta shape that angles and curves back to the wheels.
97 Ford F250HD
I made it a couple inches lower than the front axle, except for the differential, that hangs down a few inches. I haven't narrowed down just what % increase it gives me, but it is noticeable. I really need to make the front wheel miniskirts and finish the under-axle belly pan I started. 
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09-03-2009, 11:18 PM
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#59 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by desotojohn
So what is the answer?
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What is the question?
The air dam helped, measurably - see post #29 in this thread for the data.
The front wheel skirts showed no significant effect. See this thread for more: Tested: front wheel skirts, A-B-A-B |
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09-06-2009, 01:15 PM
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#60 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: northern CA
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Darin,
I love your tenacious testing.
Do you keep track of the weight of the car during these coast down tests? Mass in motion
My Solectria weights the same all the time. I drive the same roads a lot and have glide points to stop signs (traffic permitting). The car can do this with amazing repetition and weight differences are noticeable, passengers and other cargo. So is tire pressure and a 4 wheel alignment.
Anyhow, I thought for your records if your not already doing so you might want to record fuel level and other things that might increase or decrease the weight if you want to compare these tests over time.
Just a thought.
Keep the mods coming.
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