Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now

Now available from EcoModder: ScanGauge II fuel economy gauge.  Click for details.  

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 03-30-2009, 12:03 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: south portland maine
Posts: 3

Patty Fatty No Friends - '01 Outback
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Subaru Outback smooth undertray questions

I am wondering what kind of a difference a smooth undertray will make on my 01 outback. I was thinking of using some semi rigid plastic like ABS or corrugated but then i found this
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2170613
I like to take my car off road at times (nothing crazy) so i thought it would be nice if instead of just making it more aerodynamic it could protect all my shiny pieces as well.
my question here is will this add too much weight and just defeat the purpose?
note: i do NOT have my car lifted with offroad tires like this one.

thanks.


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2009, 01:38 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 11,914

Blackfly - '98 Metro
Team Metro
90 day: 67.07 mpg (US)

ForkenSwift - '92 Metro EV
90 day: 107.11 mpg (US)

U.F.O. - '00 Insight
Team Honda
90 day: 83.36 mpg (US)
Thanks: 239
Thanked 848 Times in 471 Posts
Weight is less important than aerodynamics (within reason).

Unfortunately, nobody can really tell you what difference you can expect from a smooth undertray since every car is different.

You can see this thread for example. It has some "official" figures about Cd deltas for a specific car (Audi, if I recall...).

Metro undertray / belly pan (see post 9)

I measured a ~2% change in fuel consumption at 55 mph in an A-B test on my car with a full undertray. Other sources will quote different figures, often better.
__________________
Latest project: removable Geo Metro boat tail
Latest test: Massive cardboard air dam on a Geo Metro


www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2009, 03:44 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: south portland maine
Posts: 3

Patty Fatty No Friends - '01 Outback
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm guessing I would probably get a higher increase in FE if i blocked off the lower part of my grill and put lexan over the fog lights on the lower bumper.
http://images.usatoday.com/money/aut...back-story.jpg
the gold part in this picture.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2009, 09:31 PM   #4 (permalink)
Ohh snap
 
brucey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: WV
Posts: 815

Lesbaru - '00 Outback
90 day: 21.98 mpg (US)

Summer - '00 Cavalier Z24 Convertible
90 day: 29.82 mpg (US)
Thanks: 39
Thanked 85 Times in 44 Posts
Send a message via AIM to brucey


Its worked pretty well for me. I need to get a skid plate back.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2009, 01:44 AM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: south portland maine
Posts: 3

Patty Fatty No Friends - '01 Outback
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
how well is pretty well.
i mean if this could get me a 2 or 3 mpg gain i would totally do it.
probably not as low but probably just plug the "hole" in the front bumper and covering the fog lights with lexan. mostly to preserve more of a stock look.


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread

Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Subaru Outback Kammback Experiment brucey Aerodynamics 4 01-21-2009 08:54 PM
Subaru Outback Hot Air Intake Results brucey EcoModding Central 22 12-10-2008 08:41 PM
Any Tips on hypermiling Subaru Outback? dremd EcoModding Central 3 11-15-2008 04:44 PM




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com