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

[XFi]

And the Winner is....Frank Lee!

Wow, Four out of the Five votes were different (shows how close the contest was)! Thank you everyone for your submissions, each one had valuable ideas included that will be implemented on "KERMIT" (No longer the UnNamed Wagon) .

Here are some comments given:

"Frank Lee gets my vote"..."he has laid out a really good methodical approach to the project, and despite everybody rushing to chop your roof off, he says: save it for last, if you've tried everything else first and it didn't get you to 60. Practical advice."

"It's kind of a toss up between SStyle and Frank Lee. Andrew J definetley on the name ...I think I would go with Sstyle but I love Frank Lee's methodology. I think you you could hit your goal with either one."

"Frank Lee is opinionated and frequently very critical of other members ideas and opinions, but his submission is outlined in a 'real world' workable way."

"The only think that's a little unfair is that those that posted later are using the earlier ideas and just adding on."

"Good luck with the project look forward to see the build thread."

"I think I'll throw my vote in for andrew...it was tough though!"

"Anyway, thanks for doing this, excited to see the build, "

"I vote for TomO's "Savin' Wagon...It seems to incorporate good aero in addition to other criticals. Great contest!"

Frank Lee, PM me with your info to claim the $100.00 prize! Congrats!

Don't Forget to check up on the progress of 'Kermit' in his official build thread...http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthrea...t=build+thread

Thanks again,
XFi

[MetroMPG]

Congrats Frank!

I agree this was tough to call. If it were up to me I'd use AndrewJ's name on Frank Lee's advice.

[LostCause]

I realize the competition is over, but hopefully there are some new ideas in there others can use. I tried to keep the mods somewhat practical, so I kept the "dreaming" type stuff out. There are a few borderline though..

Listed by order of occurance...

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


Juuust Kidding, but the list is real.

Engine (Factory 2.0 SPI Engine):
-0W20 Synthetic Oil
-Freeze Plug Block Heater
-Power Steering Delete (Manual Rack Conversion)
-A/C Delete
-Alternator Delete
***2 Prius Subpacks for battery
***14v bank of Maxwell Supercapacitors
-Smaller Radiator
***Ducted w/ Adjustable/Closable Opening or Exit
-Stainless Steel Headers w/ Heatwrap
-Insulate Radiator Coolant Lines

Trans:
-VW G52 Transmission Fluid
-2.88 Final Drive Transaxle from 80’s Pony Escort Model

Exterior (All aero additions are fiberglass composite):
-Antenna Delete
-Side Mirror Delete (use Interior Mirrors)
-Rear Wheel Fairing
-Front Wheel Fairing a la Basjoos
-Kammback
***15 degree angle top and sides
***Extend just past bumper
-Completely Smooth Underbody Panel
***15 degree Diffuser at rear
-Side Skirts to road
***Rigid (Upper Half)
***Flexible (Lower Half)
***Approxiamately Wheel Width
-Boattail each Rear Wheel Fairing
-Splitter in front of each Front Wheel Fairing
-Custom Body Panels
***Reshaped Nose w/ intake to radiator duct
***Fiberglass Composite Hood, Fenders, Quarter Panel, etc.
***Airtight Engine Compartment except for intentional vents
-All glass except windshield & side windows replaced with plexiglass
-Tape all seams
-Clay Bar surface, wax, and keep immaculately smooth
-Bend Windshield Wiper arms so they sit under hood

Interior:
-FE Instrumentation
-Cabin Vents Always Open (no fan)
-Window cranks removed to prevent temptation
-All Carpet and Sound Deadening Material Removed (weight savings).
-Interior Gutted: Everything behind driver's seat removed (weight savings).
-Interior Lamps replaced with LEDs
-Radio Removed
-Anything electrical and nonessential removed

Suspension/Wheels:
-Ensure brakes aren't dragging
-Repack wheel bearings w/ lightweight, synthetic grease/oil mix
-0 Toe, 0 Camber alignment
-13" Wheels (Mag or Aluminum if possible)
-LRR, 155 "skinny" tires w/ as large a diameter as possible
-50+psi
-Lowering Springs (5-6" frame height
-Stiff Shocks
-Rear Wheel Disc --> Drum Swap if lighter (many are)
-Mooneye Hubs

Other:
-HID headlights (pulls 55w vs 65+w)
-LED replacement for other external lights
-SunPower box of A-300 cells on hood and roof to charge Prius Subpacks
-Spare Tire delete
-White Paint Job to cut down on solar heating
-Engine Kill Switch/Starter
-Smaller Gas Tank or buy Half Tanks @ a time
-Exercise and lose weight

Driving Techniques:
-Engine Off Coast (any decceleration over 5-10 seconds) and Stops
-Quick, low-rpm acceleration
-55mph max speed
-Drive "without brakes"
-Clutch Start whenever possible
-Drive during day if possible

To Save Money:
-Double Clutch
-Buy gasoline when it is cheapest to fill car and airtight 20 gallon jerry can (kept in cool location to limit evaporation)
-Replace synthetic oil & filter every 10,000 miles
-Buy Liability Insurance only (but not bare minimum)
-Link journeys together, drive during non-rush hour only

- LostCause

[Frank Lee]

Thanks guys!

Re: unfairness of later entries: Only way around that would have been for submissions to be PM'd- but that is at odds with Xfi's desire to stimulate discussion among us... unless he/we were to get the discussions really cookin' after the judging. Seriously, I did look to see who had what but as you can tell I did not take people's lists and simply add on. I only listed things I thought were practical and would have some effect in the "real world", and of course put a lot of thought into how I would do it were it my project.

I am eager to see the progress of this build! Go Xfi!

[RH77]

Congrats!

Your knowledge of fuel-efficient Ford vehicles is very apparent. Keep up the creativity. Best to ya

RH77/Rick

[AndrewJ]

Congrats Frank Lee!

Probably best that XFi sticks to your methodology, no need to have an unnecessarily junk engine just from trying to reduce it's displacement too early in the process

(same goes for the chopped roofline)

[Frank Lee]

I still think pulling two pistons out is a good, workable, reverseable idea and doggone it, I'm gonna do that once it gets decent out.

[AndrewJ]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I still think pulling two pistons out is a good, workable, reverseable idea and doggone it, I'm gonna do that once it gets decent out.

two out of a 4cyl?

My old HF ran like crap with only 3 cylinders running. Same with my olds v6 ran like crap with only 5, doable, but crappy.

Then again those were unintentional cylinder deactivations, maybe the intentional variety would net better results.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I still think pulling two pistons out is a good, workable, reverseable idea and doggone it, I'm gonna do that once it gets decent out.

Seriously? Oooooh. I'll be watching for that thread.

[dremd]

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

two out of a 4cyl?

My old HF ran like crap with only 3 cylinders running. Same with my olds v6 ran like crap with only 5, doable, but crappy.

Then again those were unintentional cylinder deactivations, maybe the intentional variety would net better results.

My Aircooled VW (66 Bus) was barley noticeable when it was running on 3 (and more than once 2) cylinders. Obviously poor power, but smooth as before. May all be the design . . . . ..