Win $100.00 in Free Gas! Design Contest: Ecomod my Ride

[Oldsmobile]

Lots of interesting ideas. I should mention, that some of the more radical ideas of re-shaping the body will probably backfire, as changing things completely will probably ad more weight.

I suggest just keeping to the current shape, with minor modifications to the front facia. Mostly just smoothing things out.

The largest single modification that would make the car more slippery is smoothing out the bottom of the car. This could be done with thin aluminum sheet.

Now as far as reducing weight goes, like I said, the interior is pretty important and for a good weight reduction, a complete redesign with new furniture would probably do the trick. Aluminum tubes and nylon mesh are your friends.

Cutting out big squares in the floor and roof and replacing them with aluminum sheet might reduce weight further. That might bring unforseen problems though.

[SVOboy]

You should check out newtonsfirstlaw's thread on his own car and his conclusions about the effects that (very simple) modifications have had on cd and fuel economy,

[XFi]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I think Andrew should win based on the name alone!

I would happily drive an H2 into the sunset if it were named Coche de José MarÃ*a González de Hermosillo.

The currently UnNamed Wagon is a Mexican too! Vin Begins with 2

GREAT ENTRIES!
TomO - The Savin' Wagon
Yaristock - Saggin Wagon
AndrewJ - Coche de José MarÃ*a González de Hermosillo

Thank you for the first three 'Official' submissions! (even named the UnNamed Wagon )I appreciate your ideas and thoughts.

Also, thanks to Oldsmobile and Lazarus for your thoughts and input! Since the EcoModder.com stickers are not out yet, all five of you have just won a 'Stop the Hose Job' Sticker if you so desire (same sticker that is posted in my signature). Just PM me a mailing address, over the next day or two, and I will send it out to you.
KEEP UP THE GREAT SUBMISSIONS!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Oldsmobile

Lots of interesting ideas. I should mention, that some of the more radical ideas of re-shaping the body will probably backfire, as changing things completely will probably ad more weight.

Done properly, even additional weight is more than offset by the efficiency gains of drag reduction - unless of course you spend all your time below 20 mph.

• I wonder if you have seen... http://metrompg.com/posts/xfi-aero-car.htm

• Or: the EV World article about Phil Knox' pick-up truck

• Or: Another crazy aero-modded Metro - chopped & teardropped

• Or: Fantastic home-built aeromodded 1930's car

• Even adding a small partial Kammback, (Mighty Mira's car), while it adds a small amount of weight, will help.

The aerodynamic problem facing the Escort wagon (and any similarly shaped van or 2 box style car) is that the maximum projected (frontal) area happens very near the back of the car. If no body mods are planned, an Escort sedan would have been a better choice.

The wagon can be made better than the sedan. But you're right - it will have to be a radical change.

The problem as I see it isn't going to be added weight. A chopped/teardropped roof would actually remove weight, since there'd be both less glass and metal in the car.

The biggest problem is the sheer difficulty of a mod of that magnitude.

(Photoshop image coming, XFi...)

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by TomO

I'll get working on a photochop to display some of the exterior mods and post it up in a day or two.

Nice work, Tom!

[XFi]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Nice work, Tom!

Definately! I wish I could do that!

[XFi]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

(Photoshop image coming, XFi...)

Do you think a 'fast back' Wagon may be a way to go? Sort of like Phil Knox and his modified Toyota pickup? Start slanting it down after the Drivers Door?

[MetroMPG]

No question about it.

[Oldsmobile]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Done properly, even additional weight is more than offset by the efficiency gains of drag reduction - unless of course you spend all your time below 20 mph.

The problem as I see it isn't going to be added weight. A chopped/teardropped roof would actually remove weight, since there'd be both less glass and metal in the car.

The biggest problem is the sheer difficulty of a mod of that magnitude.

(Photoshop image coming, XFi...)

Oh wow, that chop top you linked even looks really nice!

You right, I had no idea. I was sort of imagining heavy resculpting of the rear and stuff, but of course removing bits is another matter.

Making the rear of the car slope would still maybe be in the realm of possibility, though it certainly wouldn't be a very practical car after that. And since we're chopping, lowering the roof line can be done at the same time.

[MetroMPG]

Here's the basic idea. Minus a lot of other details that need doing...

[MetroMPG]

Olds is right: a chop/taper job will have practicality issues.

Suddenly, it's a 2+2 (kids only in the rear seat). But it's still got more cargo space than than a sedan, and more seating options than a CRX.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Here's the basic idea. Minus a lot of other details that need doing...

Man that nice. I give that design

[XFi]

TomO, got your PM with address. 'Stop the Hose Job' sticker in tomorrow's mail.

Darin, that 'FastBack' Escort is definately worth a sticker! Don't think I still have your address, PM me and I will send you out your winnings (sticker).

By the way...Is there an 'optimum' angle of decent-slope?

How 'bout the rear undertray up angle? I think I remember you saying once that 11 percent up angle was max for Aero Gains. I believe thats what was concluded when I had my undertray coroplast on the XFi 'jutting' out past the bumper.

Should the two points get as close as possible to meeting or should there be a definate 'cut off' of sorts around the bumper and lights?

Thanks for your suggestions.

[RH77]

That Escort looks great!

It's too bad they didn't make a 3rd gen, 5-door. The Focus was on it's way in, I'm afraid. It probably wouldn't have an aero roofline like the model, that's for sure! Again, great work...

RH77

[XFi]

Yaristock, your sticker is in the mail!, Thanks again

[XFi]

Originally Posted by Yaristock

...
Increase EGR size

Yaristock, (or anyone who can answer this) I am unfamiliar with this modification. What is the benefit increasing the EGR size?

Also, you mentioned ECU remapping. Anyone have any idea where I could find info on this, or people/companies that do this?

[SVOboy]

You could tune the ecu yourself, look into megasquirt. Would cost money though and in my experience doesn't net much gain.

[MetroMPG]

The theory behind increasing EGR is that it's depleted of oxygen - so it's inert in terms of aiding combustion.

By reducing the amount of oxygen in the intake air, you're forced to run at a wider throttle opening to produce a given amount of power. The ECU will (try to) ensure you don't run rich in the leaner air with feedback from the o2 sensor.

The wider throttle opening should reduce pumping losses and increase efficiency.

Assuming... the added heat in the EGR doesn't reduce dynamic timing.

[AndrewJ]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the Coche de José MarÃ*a González de Hermosillo!



Advantages:
No painting involved! just a 4 new doors off of appropriately colored junkers and a pair of stickers.

Disadvantages:
Risk of being deported.

[Sstyle]

Before I list ideas, I would stay away from any that involve cutting the vehicle's body. Unibody cars are designed to use the entire structure, and removing parts (especially any part of the roof) can adversely affect its structural integrity. You seem like a nice enough guy, I'd like too see you stay alive.

With that said, I present:

The Gascort
1997 Ford Escort Wagon MPG Project
2.0 SPI 4cyl Gasoline Engine
Manual Transaxle

Engine:
-Factory 2.0 SPI Engine
-Header & Free Flowing Exhaust
-Replace 2nd O2 sensor with appropriate resistor now that you dont have a cat (its part of the header, so it goes when you replace the header), otherwise you will throw a CEL
-Port the head, gasket match intake manifold and head
-50% Under Drive Crankshaft Pulley
-A/C Delete
-Power Steering Delete (Manual Rack Conversion)
-Get rid of the winsheild wahser fluid resevoir and hoses
-Timing belt upper/bottom cover can be removed, I know i dont run mine.
-Intake with free flow air filter
-Innovate Wideband (you can adjust the A/F ratio sent to the ecu with this via its narrowband output)
-That stock radiator is a bit oversized, run a civic half-size radiator and aftermarket fan.
-If you choose to remove the alternator and belt, you can also remove the belt tensioner as well.

Trans:
-Synthetic fluid
-

Exterior:
-Undercarriage Tray/Paneling
-Driver side Mirrors Replaced with ‘Fold In’ Mirror, passenger side mirror not needed if you have a rear view mirror.
-Grille Block and lower vents blocked
-Rear Door, Rear ¼ and Rear Hatch Glass replaced with Plexiglas for weight savings.
-Rear wheelwell covers
-Carbon fiber hood
-Remove those "bump" strips that run the length of the doors

Interior:
-All Carpet and Sound Deadening Material Removed (weight savings).
-Interior Gutted…Everything behind driver’s seat removed (weight savings).
-You dont need the driver's door panel either, nor the passengers. The door latch handle bolts to the metal door, and you can silicone the window in place and remove the window gears.
-Headliner removed
-You only need one seat to drive....
-Cut off the passenger side of the dash (just watch out for wires)
-For the daring: Remove airbag, then remove airbag computer, wiring, and sensors. Plus since the airbag is removed, you cant control the horn, so it can go as well.
-Dont really need the blower motor, do we?
-Nor much of the HVAC system, all those vents just add weight
-Since you no longer have a functioning HVAC system, it would be a bit silly to leave the heater core. Remove it and bridge the coolant hoses.
-Radios are for the weak....
-Wires have weight, so you can go through the harnesses and remove any that no longer serve a function. Radio, heating, A/C, P/S wires all come to mind.

Suspension/Wheels:
-Front/Rear Lowering Springs
-Miata 14" BBS wheels (the sub 8lb ones)
-Oversized tires at max psi ( I opted for this instead of changing the transmission ratio since its easier, and you can experiment with different sizes)
-Lightweight lug nuts
-Switch to the smaller rotor braking system from 1991 non-gt escorts. It bolts up.
-Note: 13" wheels wont fit over stock rotors

Other:
-Synthetic Fluids
-Hot Air Intake
-Smallest lightweight practical fuel cell for your use.... you dont really need a 11 gallon tank for running around town. You can even mount it where your passenger seat used to be, lowering the amount of fuel line used
-Scangauge2 (how else are ya gonna measure your results)
-


i wouldnt replace the ecu, its surprisingly efficient (yields about 48mpg cruising on a level surface at the 55mph sweet spot on a stock mtx). You can always make some adjustments buy altering the fuel ratio the ECU sees, using the wideband's simulated narrowband output.
see you at feoa...