Toyota Echo Lower Grill Block & Underbody

[alohaspirit]

Was a nice day today (78F) so I decided to tackle some aero work.

Made a lower grill block out of coroplast
notched 3 parts for the stock tabs and then secured it with 2 zip ties
(which are hidden by the plate)


Ill drive it like this to log mpg and monitor temps.


Then, I will fab covers for the front underbody.
There are 2 open air pockets on either side of the bumper
as well as a large pocket around the oil pan.
(hopefully the coroplast will be ok from the heat of the oil pan)








Aw yeah! Post 808!

[CigaR007]

Wow. Looks really clean.

I have a 2001 Toyota ECHO too and I have been pondering a grille block for the last few days since I am on vacation !

I am eager to see the gain in FE since we have the same car.

Keep us updated !

[Weather Spotter]

Looks good!

Let me know how it helps your MPG and I can add the data to our wiki.

[Old Mechanic]

Be careful with blocking the grille on a car with an automatic transmission. If you reduce the transmission coolers effectiveness you could overheat the fluid and possibly damage the transmission.

That may not be an issue in your case if you are not driving longer distances at higher speeds.

regards
Mech

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

Wow. Looks really clean.

I have a 2001 Toyota ECHO too and I have been pondering a grille block for the last few days since I am on vacation !

I am eager to see the gain in FE since we have the same car.

Keep us updated !

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

Looks good!

Let me know how it helps your MPG and I can add the data to our wiki.

It will probably be a couple weeks until I have numbers.

(Im mostly driving the Civic)

But I promise to report my findings

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Be careful with blocking the grille on a car with an automatic transmission. If you reduce the transmission coolers effectiveness you could overheat the fluid and possibly damage the transmission.

That may not be an issue in your case if you are not driving longer distances at higher speeds.

regards
Mech

Will monitoring the engine temp via scanguage be enough?

[Weather Spotter]

Yes, that should be enough. If the fan comes on too much then reduce the grill block.

[CigaR007]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

It will probably be a couple weeks until I have numbers.

(Im mostly driving the Civic)

But I promise to report my findings

No pressure. Besides, I intend on finishing the lower grille block installation on my ECHO tomorrow. The upper grille block has been on for a few days already. Should report my findings soon enough.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

Yes, that should be enough. If the fan comes on too much then reduce the grill block.

Personally, I have a feeling the heat will go up
(tropical weather after all)

Originally Posted by CigaR007

No pressure. Besides, I intend on finishing the lower grille block installation on my ECHO tomorrow. The upper grille block has been on for a few days already. Should report my findings soon enough.

Sounds good. Im interested in how you made your grill blocks.

How are those miata rims treating you?

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

I didn't know that you could order custom signed coroplast from EcoModder