Scion xA aero mods

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hi,

I bought mine at Michael's a large "craft" store, for $20 -- they are Fiskars. The A.C. Moore location in Framingham was out of stock.

The wide ones at the top of the windshield are ~1" wide strips across the 2" wide Gorilla tape. The normal ones are ~1/4" wide.

I found a pair of shears. But all the tape I have is 0.005" or less thick..
How thick is that Gorilla tape?

Saw this tonight.
Soup :: Mystery Tape
&
Soup :: Turbulators and Zig-Zag tape

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Gorilla tape is fairly thick: maybe 1/32"? So, 0.03125"?

[Kururu]

Where will i be able to find some gorilla tape? Is it similar to Duct Tape?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I got Gorilla tape at my local Aubuchon hardware store. It is thicker and tougher than 3M Duct tape, and using the pinking shears on Duct tape would (a lot?) more difficult, I think.



I want to add that on each of my two recent commutes, I have seen 0.3mpg increases on the average; since adding the zigzag tape at the top of my windshield. It also seems to coast a lot better, too; judging by the seat of my pants, and based on the fact that I have managed to coast farther than I have been able to before. Sure, conditions vary day to day, but I drive this route 4 days a week for the last year+ and I'm pretty sure the improvement is "real".

[Z man]

My electric tape doesn't stick too well, and it still manages to leave a residue on the paint!
I just need some skinny Gorilla tape I guess. I didn't zigzag at the corners, I just left that part open.

Also, I have both grilles completely blocked. There is no air getting in. The fan is coming on when stopped, but the Scangauge is reading the engine temp. to be around 190 to 205 at all times. It hasn't gone over that, so I think I'm safe for now. BTW it is 60 degrees out, and I expect it to get colder as the month goes on. I just hate it when the fan comes on when the key is turned part way but the engine isn't running.

I hope to get a 1 inch drop and a WAI which should further improve things on my square vehicle. (That's hopeless to begin with, compared to the xA.)

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I would leave a little bit of the grill open, until it gets cold?

I had to fill the tank before my commute home, and I got 47.1 average (on the SGII), so the tape at the top of the windshield may have helped raise the FE by ~3mpg!

Here's my pictures (I added the narrow strip just below the wide one at the top of the windshield, and I have no idea if it will help or not):

The tape on the side window above the mirror was needed to keep the rubber gasket in place --after I put the strip on the A-pillar, the air coming around the corner started to pull the gasket out!

Closer shot of the wide strip at the top of the windshield. I added the narrow strip just before I took the photo, and I don't know how it will do yet.

This last shot has one piece pealed back to show the bump and groove in the stock set up.

[Xringer]

Those are some good pictures!

I wonder if you have considered adding some ZZ tape on the trailing edge of the hood?
Maybe it would help bridge the windshield wiper gap? (with smoother air).

Maybe I'll need to go into Lowes this week.. I've positive I saw some Gorilla tape in the Woburn store..

[Z man]

Wow.

So what does that zig zag tape do?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

As I understand it, the zigzag tape causes the air layer nearest the body to slow down, and therefore stay "adhered" to the body, which actually lowers drag. Kinda' like a linear version of golf ball dimples?

Belly pan or vortex generators?

I was fighting the waning light at the end of the day, so if you like those pictures, wait until I can take some in full daylight -- they'll knock your socks off! Earlier in this thread, I have pictures of the other areas that I have used the zigzag tape.

I definitely want to use some on the leading edge of the hood, and more rows on the trailing edges of the car, too. The picture of the Honda race bike fairing leads me to want to use them on the front bumper as well -- anywhere there is high pressure air passing past the car body.

[basslover911]

I stacked up three layers of duct tape, but I think that may be too thick simply because my pinking shears just wount cut throught that much!

They got suck and I couldn't continue... maybe I will try only two layers of duct tape. (I think only one layer is VERY thin, are you doing just one layer though?