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DieselMe · 10-13-2014, 08:05 PM

I've been logging the temps for the engine over the past 8 weeks. Nothing over 95 degrees C, and that was pushing it hard over and over trying to max out the cooling system. Average temp is ~80 degrees C.

Last night, invigorated by the 5.3L/100kms, I decided that I'd try my hand at aero modding the Kia. I'm not new to aerodynamics, it's one of my favourite things to read. Though previously I have been reading for downforce AND low drag (CD).

So down to it, I thought I would reduce the Kia's frontal area. the top grille is huge and not needed from my testing. Here you can see an example of the stock Kia, notice the BIG front open area:

So as you can see a LOT of open area. Now I have reduce the whole top radiator area. It's not a perfectly modded aero design, but the car is a 2013 and everything has to be a compromise. I believe the build up of air pressure in the front 'blades' would cause an pressure constant and (at a certain speed - I would guess 70+ - would cause the air-stream to take the path of least resistance of the bonnet. I will have to do some wool testing.

Anyways, here is the picture:

I blocked #1 entirely.

There are two open frontal areas, #2, this is where the coolant/intercooler/aircon radiators are getting their air-cooling from. You can better see from these pics (temp blocked with foam, I will block them with core-flute once I know the temps are okay): -

I test drove it last night, and the coolant temperature and intake temp (read from OBDII) didn't go up at all. They stayed solidly in the 80-85 degrees C range. Quite happy, I will be monitoring over the summer.

Here is a gratiuitous pic, Im quite happy with the way it all looks in the end:

Comments welcome, positive swing would be nice given it's my first ecomodding experience ;-)

10-13-2014, 08:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
DieselMe EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 14 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've been logging the temps for the engine over the past 8 weeks. Nothing over 95 degrees C, and that was pushing it hard over and over trying to max out the cooling system. Average temp is ~80 degrees C. Last night, invigorated by the 5.3L/100kms, I decided that I'd try my hand at aero modding the Kia. I'm not new to aerodynamics, it's one of my favourite things to read. Though previously I have been reading for downforce AND low drag (CD). So down to it, I thought I would reduce the Kia's frontal area. the top grille is huge and not needed from my testing. Here you can see an example of the stock Kia, notice the BIG front open area: So as you can see a LOT of open area. Now I have reduce the whole top radiator area. It's not a perfectly modded aero design, but the car is a 2013 and everything has to be a compromise. I believe the build up of air pressure in the front 'blades' would cause an pressure constant and (at a certain speed - I would guess 70+ - would cause the air-stream to take the path of least resistance of the bonnet. I will have to do some wool testing. Anyways, here is the picture: I blocked #1 entirely. There are two open frontal areas, #2, this is where the coolant/intercooler/aircon radiators are getting their air-cooling from. You can better see from these pics (temp blocked with foam, I will block them with core-flute once I know the temps are okay): - I test drove it last night, and the coolant temperature and intake temp (read from OBDII) didn't go up at all. They stayed solidly in the 80-85 degrees C range. Quite happy, I will be monitoring over the summer. Here is a gratiuitous pic, Im quite happy with the way it all looks in the end: Comments welcome, positive swing would be nice given it's my first ecomodding experience ;-)