Project: The Anal Probe

[Sven7]

<< MPG TEST << OK TO PASS by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

I think that will be the final version...

[Sven7]

OK guys this last weekend I went on a trip to the Lake Superior Performance Rally. Although I met my friends 4 hours in and rode with them the rest of the way, the Probe still needed gas so I filled up.

With 490 miles on the tank it managed 44.68 MPG and bumped my lifetime average up to 40.61 MPG. This is significant as my original goal with the project was 40 MPG! I now know that 85% over EPA and 500 miles on a tank are both possible with this vehicle.

I've owned the vehicle for only two months but have already saved $147 in gas. At this rate it should take me less than 6 more months to pay for the cost of the vehicle, sales tax and mods.

I've gotten crap about this car and its "cardboard" mods, lack of "before" testing and other things from most people on my other forums. I've been pulled over in it twice, once for a front plate problem and once for only having one headlight up at night. I haven't raced for about a year.

Sometimes hypermiling sucks. P&EOC is a pain on long trips. Semis hate drafting. But then I realize I'm saving almost $20 at each fill up. Then it's worth it. It's totally worth it. All the weird looks, all the flaming.

Anyway, here are two pictures on the way up to LSPR, in the browning autumn leaves. In celebration of 40 MPG not only being reached, but being the lifetime average.


Fall by Tyler Linner, on Flickr


Fall by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

[Nevyn]

Drafting = unsafe. Hypermiling isn't all about best MPG, it's best MPG for the best safety.

[Sven7]

I've been careful to stay more than a second behind them, if not 1.5 or 2 sec. Enough to give me a little room if they hit the brakes but not so much as to totally lose the slipstream. It's certainly a balancing act and I like to think I'm doing a respectable job.

EDIT (29 1 12) to say it has been shown on this site that following 2 or even 3 seconds back can give you noticeable results. You don't have to risk your life for mpg!

[FXSTi]

I've enjoyed this thread and just wanted to add that you can probably ditch the front plate while you are here in Michigan.

[Sven7]

Thank you. I have thought about it but since it's held on with self tapping screws right through the coroplast I've decided it's probably worth it to just leave the thing on. Plus, it makes the car look low

Mods today!

The old rear belly pan setup was losing attached flow and doing almost no good so I lowered the rear of the pan to reattach the flow after the axle and cut it off cleanly at the rear end. It should now be within the 15* limit for attached flow.

This also makes it easier to build strakes if and when I do.

To insulate the plastic pan from exhaust heat on the muffler I zip tied several crushed aluminum pop cans to the pan underneath the muffler. It gives an extra inch or so of space to dissipate heat. We'll see how that goes...

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.


Revised rear belly pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr


Revised rear belly pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

[IMG] Revised rear belly pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr[/IMG]

I really need to get some more campaign signs... just posted a WFF ad on CL.

Edit: I painted the thing and took better pictures.


Belly Pan Painted by Tyler Linner, on Flickr


Belly Pan Painted by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Sven7

I've been careful to stay more than a second behind them, if not 1.5 or 2 sec. Enough to give me a little room if they hit the brakes but not so much as to totally lose the slipstream. It's certainly a balancing act and I like to think I'm doing a respectable job.

Worth a look.

[Sven7]

^^ yeps.

I took the passenger seat out today. It was just four 14mm bolts. Easy to replace if I need to carry someone. Now the only seat is the drivers.

In taking stuff out I found a Subway receipt from 2008, another ballpoint pen (about the eighth i've found in the car), $0.27, a Cheerio and a crusty french fry. Yippity doo dah day.

[Arragonis]

Grind them up, add hot water - pot noodle

[Sven7]

Razzle Dazzle by Sir Tyler Linner the Loyal, of Grant-upon-Croix, on Flickr


Razzle Dazzle by Sir Tyler Linner the Loyal, of Grant-upon-Croix, on Flickr

Dazzle Camouflage

At first glance Dazzle seems unlikely camouflage, drawing attention to the ship rather than hiding it, but this technique was developed after the Allied Navies were unable to develop effective means to disguise ships in all weathers.

Dazzle did not conceal the ship but made it difficult for the enemy to estimate its type, size, speed and heading. The idea was to disrupt the visual rangefinders used for naval artillery. Its purpose was confusion rather than concealment.[1] An observer would find it difficult to know exactly whether the stern or the bow is in view; and it would be equally difficult to estimate whether the observed vessel is moving towards or away from the observer's position.[2]

Only this side for now. I ran out of tape.

Edit:
I also filled up today. Broke the 500 mile barrier and also hit 70% above EPA!

I've also saved 45% of the purchase price, just in gas.


500 miles by Sir Tyler Linner the Loyal, of Grant-upon-Croix, on Flickr