Scion xA aero mods

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I do like having a digital camera! (Nikon D40X) Here are some pictures of the current collection of aero mods on my xA:






I've significantly closed down the front air intakes, and yes the coolant temps are completely fine -- come winter, I will have to close them even more; if not completely.

I've added the foil tape to the front rims -- this probably only helps marginally. I need to make some Coroplast fender extensions to the front and top of the front wheel openings.

I've removed the front mudflaps. This should have been done ages ago! I think it has helped me gain ~0.5-0.8mpg, at least. The average climbed that much in ~100 miles, on a 300 mile average.

The rear wheel skirts are now shorter (like the acrylic ones I made first -- I found that when they stick out into the air stream, they don't help as much. The lesson seems to be cover as much as possible without protruding into the air flow -- it is better to cover less, and stay as flush as possible. These still stick out a little bit (using the 1/8" steel rod inside the bottom corrugation tube), so they clear the tire and the wheel -- but this is a very gentle sloping wedge.

The rear underpan has a bit more tape on it to be sure to hold it firmly in place, and to minimize air getting in above it...

[Z man]

That's awesome. Now to make that nice xA (I like them) look normal!

I have a 3x4 ft. piece of Coroplast for an undertray,

is Gorilla Tape a good adhesive? I have zip ties to use as well.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

Yes, Gorilla tape is quite sticky and strong. It does react to temperature change; the grill block is shrinking a bit, though the Gorilla tape is still better there than the 3M transparent duct tape (which is better in some situations than the Gorilla), and a lot better than the Weather Strip clear tape.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I'm currently starting a homemade version of ZigZag Tape (or is it ZZ Tape) made from Gorilla tape and some pinking shears.

[Xringer]

Nice pics! I have to admire your new skirt installation.
Are you going to do anything to the rear rims?

and, Where are you going to use the ZZ tape?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi & thanks!

I've put some around the mirrors, and down the C-pillars (to be extended down further), so far. I should also do the A pillars I think. It's back to commuting tomorrow, so I see if they make any noticeable differences.

The cooler weather (and rain, requiring some defrost/AC action!) has caused my FE to drop a bit -- the tank I put in today yielded 44.31, which dropped my 90 day average from 46 to 45.9mpg...

[basslover911]

^^ Put some behind the tires (flow detatches behind the wheel well)...

And tell me how it works out because I need tape to do the same thing but I do not know which tape (I am thinking color tape that way I can match it to my cars exterior (silver)... but something that also sticks forever that way I can have it there at least a year before I have to re-do it).

[NeilBlanchard]

Hiya,

So far, here's where I've put my homemade zigzag tape:






I'm planning on adding (at least) a second row a coupla' inches behind the first one on the 'C' pillar. So far so good, with these -- my mileage has gone back up, after decreasing as the weather cools. Traffic has gotten worse (it's after Labor Day, after all), but I have figured out how to get 40-50mpg at ~10-15mph: just put it in 3rd or fourth gear and let the engine idle (or just use a tiny bit of throttle)!

[lunarhighway]

that's exactly what i've been meaning to do for some time now.

would be nice to tuft test these turbulators... how much difference in FE did you see from these?

the ones on the lip spoiler remind me of my sawtooth trailing edge theory

sawtooth trailing edge

[Xringer]

"but I have figured out how to get 40-50mpg at ~10-15mph: just put it in 3rd or fourth gear and let the engine idle (or just use a tiny bit of throttle)!"

I've been using engine-idle mode for years, just about every time I would get stuck in very slow moving traffic.. But, I was dumb and never used anything but 1st or 2nd gear! However, I did need to move very slowly.. 10 or 15 would have been too fast.

The tricky part for me is letting the clutch out so slowly that the ICE doesn't notice.