Scion xA aero mods

[Otto]

Neil, I notice that you used zigzag tape on your mirror.

Any reduction in noise with that?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Yes, at the time I put that on, it did seem to help a bit with the noise/turbulence around the mirrors. I'm basing this solely on my subjective observations.

A smaller mirror made a much greater difference, and the video mirrors greater still -- and there seems to have been actual improvements in my FE. I am finding that I need to readjust my driving habits -- I'm finding many more places that I can now coast, and often I'm carrying too much speed as I approach a stop, and so in order to gain more FE I have to change my driving to take advantage of the now even lower drag.

I'm also hoping to do another coast down test; after adding the partial front wheel skirts and the video mirrors.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Here's some pictures of what the video mirrors look like at dusk and near dark -- it's a little tricky getting an exposure that shows it close to what I can actually see!




These are getting progressively darker top to bottom -- the middle one makes it look darker outside than it actually is, and the cameras really seem to open up their apertures in this light, and they sometimes are slightly overexposed on one or the other, depending on the direction of the sun. The last one is sitting in my driveway, and there is very little ambient light -- you can kinda make out the light thrown by my taillights in the right screen...the light ahead is my porch light.

[morristercode]

I just got done driving home in my Scion Xa from Scranton, PA. I have no modification on my xA. I recently changed the spark plugs and am driving with a cracked/leaky exhaust manifold which the dealer is hopefully going to fix for free.


My MPG was 49.2!

Air temp was about 70. My car was fully warmed up when I filled up before my trip.

This is by using my ultra steady throttle technique, driving b/t 45-50 mph. I had steady throttle for my whole trip (71 some miles) and had only 3 stops. I used mild acceleration and shift at 2,000 rpms. I also on 4-5 occasions shifted into neutral going down some nice downhill sections on I-81 North. I am sure I could pull over 50 with some actual mods. So dont lose hope scion xA owners.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello & welcome to EM!

That's good driving -- keep it up! You drove from Scranton to where? Also, are you using a ScanGuage or did you base the mileage on fillups?

[morristercode]

Thank you! I am still in the market for a scan guage. This was done using a fill-up method. I will do more tests to check to accuracy of my findings as soon as I get the guage. I am sure though its correct within 3mpg..because of how long it took for my gas guage to move after my subsequent fill-up.

[Istas]

Just read this thread through from the start. Awesome comprehensive modding! I'm definitely going to try the gorilla tape turbulators when I get the chance.

Curious, about how much power do those monitors use?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I think they are maybe 10watts? Not enough to worry about, if that's what you are wondering. I need to do another coat down test, but I'm not sure this can happen very soon -- I'm going to be having two surgeries over the summer...

[Istas]

Oh, good luck dude.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I've been contemplating the relative merits of having a louver in the hood behind the radiator, and seeing if I can get the air inside the engine bay to flow out the front wheel openings?

The hood louver would probably heat up the air that comes in the vent at the base of the windshield. Holes in the inner fenders would be hard to do and they could weaken the structure somewhat?

My next step is to improve the flow underneath the front, and work my way back; with a smooth bottom out of aluminum, probably. I also would like to remake all the current Coroplast panels with aluminum -- and no tape.

BTW, the zigzag tape at the top of the windshield seems to be helping -- it gets ripped off by the air flow, both on my xA and on my Mom's 2005 Prius. I may try to fill in the groove with silicon caulking...