Soul Help (Grill block) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Soulster · 09-07-2010, 07:52 PM

Put on the grill block for aero testing:

So it does look statistically speaking it does do some aero help 0.35mpg whoopeeeeee... I'm sure it helps warm the car up faster in the morning, but how do test that for MPG improvement? I've watched the scan gauge and it shaved 2miles off the warm up time so it's doing something... But I have no clue as to MPG testing. Any Ideas?

Weather Spotter · 09-07-2010, 08:28 PM

1% gain is better than none!

For a free mod, my colorplast, paint, screws, and help that is not bad. My grill block gets me .71MPG or 1.55%. You have a flatter front end so I would expect yours to be less (also a smaller opening).

skyl4rk · 09-07-2010, 09:02 PM

I think I measured 2 to 3 percent improvement after the upper grill block. I also blocked some foglight openings.

More testing!

Weather Spotter · 09-07-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyl4rk

I think I measured 2 to 3 percent improvement after the upper grill block. I also blocked some foglight openings.

More testing!

Can you add your data to the Wiki? We are always looking for more data for the mods.

Grill block partial or full - EcoModder

euromodder · 09-08-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

Can you add your data to the Wiki? We are always looking for more data for the mods.

What sort of data do you accept ?
I don't do ABA-style or coastdown testing.

But with the grille block added I immediately saw improvements compared to my "known" FC on the level stretches of my normal commute.

Daox · 09-08-2010, 08:43 AM

Very interesting. That is a small grill block though, I wouldn't expect too much from it.

It makes me wonder what mine is really worth, its a little bigger.

Weather Spotter · 09-08-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by euromodder

What sort of data do you accept ?
I don't do ABA-style or coastdown testing.

But with the grille block added I immediately saw improvements compared to my "known" FC on the level stretches of my normal commute.

Both of those are best, but we will take your type as well. Just note the method you used to acquire the data.'

Example:

2% gain (1.2MPG). data gotten from differences in SG read out in known steady state locations and is consistent over time.

Weather Spotter · 09-08-2010, 10:27 AM

Doax: any ABA testing? yours should show up nicely in testing

And give some nice data for the wiki

wildfire8 · 05-30-2011, 02:19 PM

Have you tried making a lower grill block? My girlfriend drives your same car and I was looking at making a grill block for her car. I was going to start with the lower grill and see how that worked out. I like the look of yours.

Do you have pictures of how you mounted it to the grill?

I have 2 sheets of black coraplast so I will not have to paint mine.

And with the grill block how did you temps change? Have you drove it in hot weather to see temps as well?

Soulster · 10-12-2011, 11:35 PM

Sorry for the insanely long delay in response...I haven't been eco modding for the past 6 months and as such I haven't logged onto this site. Now that I am in an aerodynamics class I think it would be fun to apply some of the in class knowledge to the real world!

Anyways in answer to your question, I blocked the lower grill with a piece of foam so that it was flush (just over sized it slightly and pressed it into place.) It worked quite well in conjunction with the upper grill in temps less than 30F after that the lower block needed removal and after 40F I removed both (temps were hitting 212F after 15-18miles of expressway, at lower ambient temp it stayed steady at 203F)

Have you done any other mods? I'm thinking about making a front air dam and possibly a removable boat tail...thoughts?