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Old 10-08-2008, 01:27 PM   #30 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

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

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

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

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard View Post
Did you solve the wheel clearance on turns; and if so, how? Or was this just a proof of concept?
This was just proof of concept. The tire pushed the skirt off each time I turned the car around to repeat the run, and I stopped at the side of the road & re-taped it. But basjoos already solved the clearance issue: top hinge.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fit7ad View Post
Any chance you can repeat the tuft test with a partial cover? There may be significant improvement just by lowering the wheel arch a bit.
I think you're right: there's likely a good amount of improvement with a partial cover. I'm guessing approx the top 1/3 or so of the wheel. You'll see this on a number of aero cars (on the rear wheels) like the Mercedes Bionic car (you have to look closely; it's a clear plastic skirt) and their big 4-cyl diesotto concept saloon; even the GM EV1 only covered about half of the rear wheel.

Not going to repeat the test though. It's a lot of time & work! Plus, I'm more interested in the full meal deal.
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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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