Project: The Anal Probe

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by Bow

Sven,

very nice work.

About your headlights...

I have a '91 Nissan 240SX hatchback, which is very similiar to your Probe.

When I fist got it in '97, the headlights started acting up (sticking up, etc) and my wife scored me a set of recessed headlights from Japan.

I was looking on line for anything similiar for your Probe, but couldn't locate any, however, you may be able to get a set for the S13 model 240sx and alter them to fit your car, then make clear plexi/lexan covers for them:

I've thought about doing that (or fixing the headlights lower into the body). There are quite a few 240 guys around here. However, it would probably take more effort and money than I'm willing to put in right now, as winter is just around the corner. I had to do a wheel bearing last fall during some flurries and it was not fun. My school does not provide fully enclosed or heated parking.

Originally Posted by euromodder

Was he laughing when you said it's returning 40mpg on average ?

I think he was impressed, actually. Said I should be in engineering

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Sven7

I think he was impressed, actually. Said I should be in engineering

Nah, you should be in design so the car doesn't need to be re-engineered for efficiency after it leaves the factory

[Fat Charlie]

Engineers work on efficiency. Designers work for focus groups.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Nah, you should be in design so the car doesn't need to be re-engineered for efficiency after it leaves the factory

Good point. I'm going to try to put Jaray's principles to work in this semester's sponsored project. (Hint: Ley T6)

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Engineers work on efficiency. Designers work for focus groups.

Designers work for their egos and compromise for focus groups

I gave the Probe some "coro"plastic surgery today and flattened the flares to reduce frontal area as some of you suggested.

This was not too difficult, but I would rather not do a chop top hot rod anytime soon You can see the tape residue where the old flares used to be, and the new tape lines on the flares where I had to score or cut. There's about a finger's width of clearance at full lock, so I hope I don't have to make a sharp turn onto a steep ramp. It might rub.

Also check out the scrapes on the bottom of the air dam


At the Piquette Plant by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

The lighter brick building on the left is where the first Ford Model T was built. You probably don't want to be there at night.


Improved fender flares by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

Also, my dashboard hula girl La-a (said "Ladasha") doesn't like bump starting! She's always wiggling around.

[Sven7]

Tuft test! I bought some twine and taped it on to check out my new rear belly pan and revised flares. The computer won't view the raw files so I'm uploading now to see if the vids came out clear (my friend was the noob cameraman and it's raining outside).

(View at 1080p and pause it- that's the only way you'll see what's going on)

Attached flow behind the flare!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKj0m4DTG4U

Can't really see for sure how the belly pan is (it looks messy) but that's okay.

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for a car camping weekend (Buses by the Beach's Halloween themed "Bus Boo" event) on the other side of the state. It's going to be at least a 4 hour drive with P&G- probably 4.5 or longer. I'm excited to see what I can do with 400 miles of freeway driving! (and maybe bring the average of the current tank up- it's terrible)

[Sven7]

Surprise! I also have pics of the rear belly pan and stuff.

Rear is pretty much totally gutted now

Rear by Tyler Linner, on Flickr


Rear Belly Pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

The exhaust cutout is a problem. I need to find someone with some spare fiberglass insulation and stick the rest of the pan on there.

Rear Belly Pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

Rear Belly Pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr


Rear Belly Pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr


Tuft Testing by Tyler Linner, on Flickr


Tuft Testing by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

Later gators!

[Bruce]

Nice work!
You've inspired me to look for a Probe. ( A FORD Probe.)

[Galane]

Get a green one and name it Paul. If it's red, call it Mars. If black it could be called Space.

All kinds of wordplay possible with a car named Probe.

[Sven7]

Thanks guys. Probe is a really fun name to play with!

Well I filled up on Friday on the way to Bus Boo. 42.26 MPG. Average is up to 39.75! A couple people asked me about the car at rest stops It was a great weekend though, and I recouped 75% of that $40 entrance fee by drawing peoples buses for them!

Here's the Anal Probe in its VW SP2 "costume" for the bus costume contest.


Costume Contest at Bus Boo by Tyler Linner... drinking the Kool Aid, on Flickr

Here's a real SP2

VW SP2 by jenskramer, on Flickr

[Sven7]

One of the buses at the event. Talk about reduced frontal area!

This is a rare (in MI anyway) 1981 Brazilian bay window bus.


Teaser by Tyler Linner... drinking the Kool Aid, on Flickr