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Old 08-18-2008, 08:44 PM   #28 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,530

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garys_1k View Post
Nice job, they sure LOOK like they'd make a significant, positive difference in FE. The improvement in flow is so obvious that the lack of a clear, positive FE test result is very surprising.
I'll admit my jaw dropped when I saw the obvious change in flow shown by the tufts!

But I had to keep reminding myself: vortex generators themselves create drag. If the size, style & placement isn't optimized, you can end up with a net increase in drag (or zero sum gain), even while you apparently improve downstream flow.

We could just as easily stick a wind deflector at the trailing edge of the roof to force air down the rear window and tidy up the tufts. But we'd end up with turbulence aft of the deflector negating the gain of the improved flow on the glass/trunk lid.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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