Tas's 2008 Elantra Build Thread

[Red]

Nice work tas!

[pawilkes]

i've been looking to make a lower grill block but can't figure out where to get the coroplast. are there any stores that typically carry coroplast board or do you have to get it from a sign shop?

[RH77]

Great work on both applications

BTW, do you have a ScanGauge or other device to monitor the IAT? I've found that there's an ideal IAT -- with anything hotter, the result can often-times produce inefficient conditions.

Also, that's a neat stock intake -- it's given me some ideas on sourcing cool air for the Summer.

I agree with removing the resonator -- dead weight IMO. I've done the same and haven't notice much difference unless at WOT, which is very rare anymore.

I look forward to the results!

RH77

[tasdrouille]

Originally Posted by RH77

Great work on both applications

BTW, do you have a ScanGauge or other device to monitor the IAT? I've found that there's an ideal IAT -- with anything hotter, the result can often-times produce inefficient conditions.

Also, that's a neat stock intake -- it's given me some ideas on sourcing cool air for the Summer.

I agree with removing the resonator -- dead weight IMO. I've done the same and haven't notice much difference unless at WOT, which is very rare anymore.

I look forward to the results!

RH77

I've seen your post regarding the ideal IAT for your engine. I don't have a SG yet, but will get one in the following weeks as it makes it practically impossible to test the impacts of mods and techniques without one.

Originally Posted by pawilkes

i've been looking to make a lower grill block but can't figure out where to get the coroplast. are there any stores that typically carry coroplast board fin or do you have to get it from a sign shop?

You should be able to find some (usually they have only white) at hardware stores such as home depot. Sign shops will have some leftovers for sure and they can even cover some with a vinyl color of your choice. Finally, any plastic distributor should carry most colors or be able to source some, but getting a specific color might be more expensive than getting a white one vinyl coated.

[tasdrouille]

I'll be going on a 600 miles trip next weekend so I went ahead and decided to make a quick air dams set.

I installed the coroplast front dam today and will post some pics later. I used what I had left from my lower grill block, we'll see how it holds up. I will make additionnal sheet metal wheel dams later this week. The front dam is not quite long enough to cover up the whole width of the wheel. My coroplast sheet was only 6 foot long and the bumper itself is not large enough. The rear wheels already have oem tiny dams which I'll upgrade.

Also, the upper grill block made of pipe insulation should be perfected. As the material gets used to its new shape, it has a tendency to become loose and can fall off when the car is parked in a side wind.

[Daox]

Autospeed did some testing with front wheel air dams. They noted that bigger wasn't necessarily better. Although, I don't remember the exact context of their testing.

[tasdrouille]

I'm stealing all of Harpo's ideas!

Here's a picture of the front as of today. You can see why I think I might need some additionnal front wheel air dams. You can also see the pipe insulator part gone awol in the 2nd slot from the top in the upper grill.



Here's a comparison before/after



The only problem I have with it is that the flat front part can easily be bent backwards a bit which might create even more lift. I can't see how much it flexes at 75 mph, but the sides are pretty strong because of the curve.

All in all it extends down 2 inches in the middle and 4 inches on the sides.

[Daox]

Looks pretty nice!

[MetroMPG]

Is the coroplast air dam reinforced from behind? I'm just wondering about the pressure a 100 km/h headwind will put on it.

[tasdrouille]

There is nothing to reinforce the coroplast per se. There is 3/4 of an inch of the stock abs lip below the screws level on which the coroplast rests so it stiffens it a bit. I drove it at 75 mph without any apparent problem.

The air dam unfortunately didn't pass aesthetic inspection from the GF, and while she was at it she stated that everything I do to our car should be invisible, else she does not want it on the car.

So I took her to the letter and removed everything that was on the car. As of now I replaced the coroplast lower grill block with a lexan plate fixed from behind the bumper. It won't be as effective but it's better than nothing. I also cut a part for the upper grill block that will solve the problem I had with pipe insulator.

I nonetheless transferred the air dam to the TDI (MY car) during lunch. I'll start another thread for this car as I'll be reusing the coroplast I removed from the elantra for aero mods on the TDI.