Thoughts on gain from boat tail on 94 eclipse

[Rango318]

I've been wanting to build a full tail on my 94 eclipse basically right after i bought it. I really like the way Redneck made his recently and was going to base my build off his.

My only issue is, will it really help that much?
I mean, it seems like i see a lot of these done to cars that are not very aerodynamic in the rear, such as a metro, but the eclipse is a bit more angular off the rear window. I would love to see a 10% or so increase, but is it really possible with this car?

Any opinions or thoughts are much appreciated.

Also, what would most people recommend to use to build the frame of the tail? I do not access to many larger tools, so i will be doing this whole build with small hand tools and brute force.

[Xist]

MetroMPG and Threewheeler both saw about ten percent increases on their Insights, one of the most aerodynamic cars ever made. Didn't Redneck achieve fifteen on his Metro? I sure hope that I would see a good gain on my Forester, but it would be about ten feet long!

Where I currently live, that is way too long to park. We have spots in the alley, although I do not know that I would have any more room, and I do not like the idea of driving through alleys all day long with an extra ten feet behind me.

This looks really good to me!

How does the spoiler attach? My 1987 Honda Prelude had a bolt-on spoiler and since joining this site I have wondered about attaching a boat tail using those holes. Threewheeler strengthened the sheet metal at the back of his Insight before attaching that sheet metal. Perhaps you could follow his build, or at least give it a good read: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ect-13533.html

I definitely recommend following the table of contents. It is fifty-two pages long and I imagine that there are pages and pages of "Awesome job!", "Looking good!" and messages that are not necessarily relevant.

[Rango318]

Originally Posted by Xist

MetroMPG and Threewheeler both saw about ten percent increases on their Insights, one of the most aerodynamic cars ever made. Didn't Redneck achieve fifteen on his Metro? I sure hope that I would see a good gain on my Forester, but it would be about ten feet long!

That is a good point. the insight is for sure much more aerodynamic than my eclipse. Redneck did get 15 in his metro. Also i know the feeling about the Forester. If I could make one for my Durango i would.

Originally Posted by Xist

How does the spoiler attach? My 1987 Honda Prelude had a bolt-on spoiler and since joining this site I have wondered about attaching a boat tail using those holes.

Mine actually does not have a spoiler. Mine is the base model, which is ok for me because it also does not have power steering.

Originally Posted by Xist

Threewheeler strengthened the sheet metal at the back of his Insight before attaching that sheet metal. Perhaps you could follow his build, or at least give it a good read

I will for sure check that out.

New idea. Because i would have a hard time forming and working with metal piping or similar material, I was thinking about using PVC piping. It is strong, lightweight, and flexable. Only problem is, I can't think of a way to attach it to the car.

[Shortie771]

Originally Posted by Rango318

Only problem is, I can't think of a way to attach it to the car.

That is where our good friend fiberglass comes in

[Rango318]

Originally Posted by Shortie771

That is where our good friend fiberglass comes in

I will look into that. Now just to save up some money and try to find the time to put this all together.

[Xist]

Members have discussed using a removable bike rack many times, including me:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...unt-25935.html

At this point, the most current response was by UltArc, who is actually trying to build a Kammback:

Originally Posted by UltArc

Bought my trunk mounted bike rack today.
And some PVC piping for the frame.
And some soft stuff to cover it, so it does not scratch my car.
And a LOT of zip ties.

Hopefully I can get a little done each day this week - no day off until Friday.

I will be anxiously watching her thread here: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ack-25974.html

I actually wanted to make a bike rack Kamm back, just because nobody had done it before, but if I follow the template, I would have a very small taper, and I would not expect much of an improvement.

[Rango318]

Originally Posted by Xist

Members have discussed using a removable bike rack many times, including me:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...unt-25935.html

At this point, the most current response was by UltArc, who is actually trying to build a Kammback:



I will be anxiously watching her thread here: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ack-25974.html

I actually wanted to make a bike rack Kamm back, just because nobody had done it before, but if I follow the template, I would have a very small taper, and I would not expect much of an improvement.

That is a very interesting idea. I'm not sure if it will work on a hatchback though, since most of those use the back/top of the trunk for support. I do have one that was given to me for free. I guess i should see if it will fit on my car or not.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Rango318

That is a very interesting idea. I'm not sure if it will work on a hatchback though, since most of those use the back/top of the trunk for support. I do have one that was given to me for free. I guess i should see if it will fit on my car or not.

Hatchback owners often have an advantage making Kammbacks. There are a few builds on here. Someone help me out here?

[Rango318]

Originally Posted by Xist

Hatchback owners often have an advantage making Kammbacks. There are a few builds on here. Someone help me out here?

I meant that I am not sure if the bike rack will work on my car.

[Cd]

Rango318, your car has a hatch that swings up.

It would be a simple thing to prop the hatch at the correct angle for good aero and run some tuft testing to see the results.

I know only the center section swings up, so you would have to fill the gap that is formed on the sides when you open the hatch glass.

( This would also keep you from getting carbon monoxide in the car during testing ! )

I'd love the see the before and after results of a tuft test of the car ( hatch closed and propped open at the correct aero angle.