Is 42mpg too low a goal?

[nateluke]

Honestly I wouldn't worry about the front license plate issue. As long as your state doesn't require one, go without. Many new cars don't even have a mount for them, so they get away with it even in states like mine that (sort of) require them.

If you do decide to use it, maybe you could screw it to the upper grille block when you get that finished?

[Istas]

Not too shabby. It's not perfect, but considering how complex the shapes were I'm satisfied with the result.







I'm not going to seal the edges and such until I get the MPGuino hooked up and can do some A-B-A-B testing.

Next up, the short airdam on the bottom lip.

Nate: Yeah, I'm not actually worried about it, just pontificating. And I'm not about to pay money to get a second plate I don't need. Much better spent on... more sheet metal!

[evolutionmovement]

The stock headlights are polycarbonate, so if you use the UV and abrasion resistant stuff, you'll probably match the durability of the originals. I cut the fluted lenses off mine and installed 90mm Hella projector lamps to replace the terrible stock lights (mine's got the older style than yours and they were terrible), plastic welding clear poly in their place. When I was considering making an Impreza into a single-side cockpit, one of the things I was going to do was round off the front similar to what you're doing, but also integrating the headlights into the sweep using the same idea of projector lights and poly covers. I changed my mind to do the same with a Miata instead as the work will be a lot easier and the result much better aesthetically, but the idea might be something you'd be interested in. Your post-facelift lights would be easier to retrofit projectors in than mine, but now you're talking about spending some money, likely more than you'd see in gas savings. The other problem is that poly is a real PITA to try to form anything more than very simple curves.

I wouldn't worry about the attention from a lack of plate in other states—the bodywork will get you more attention than that.

My car's disassembled in the garage (and front porch, and living room) as I decided to restore it. After a week of making sure all systems are happy to live again after 4 years sitting, I'd put it up against any new car for reliability, which is why I'm getting it going again and selling the Mazda3. I'm just hoping some aero mods can get me to at least match the 3 for mileage. I also miss the greater utility of the wagon vs. the hatchback. Nobody makes a good-sized affordable wagon anymore—they're either hatchbacks, land ironclads, or overpriced "premium" European cars.

[Istas]

Yeah, I'll just leave the headlights alone for now. A small airdam and partial undertray (which I'm working on now) should have more noticeable results anyway.

And I got my MPGuino in the mail today! Hooray! Now comes the task of figuring out the wiring without a service manual. I'll give it a shot, and I'll definitely be reading the relevant threads on this forum.

And on a side note, when I still had only the rear wheel skirts done, we were driving through Missoula and a random guy shouted out of his vehicle window, "Hey! Sweeeeet!" and gave me a big thumbs up. I guess he liked the covers. I'm now not sure I'd want the attention a full boat tail would bring.

[QuickLTD]

Do you belong ot any Subaru forums? Might be a good place to start for wiring info

[nateluke]

Missoula? Just a couple hours from here...I don't get down there much, but it's a pretty big college/hippie culture so I'm not surprised that you got more encouragement! I bet there's a wealth of ecomodding information floating around town, they just don't know about us.

[Istas]

Good idea on the forums, QuickLTD. Good news on that front, too, my friend found a torrent for a 92 Legacy service manual, and it has a diagram showing me the rough location of the VSS wiring harness plug in the engine bay. I hope it's that easy!

nate: Yeah, it's a pretty cool place, as far as cities go. There's lots of bicycling/bicycle lanes everywhere, and a really good public transportation system (called the "Mountain Line", with a silhouette of a mountain lion to go with it, har har)

[evolutionmovement]

bbs.legacycentral.org. They deal mostly with the first generation cars.

[RobertSmalls]

OT, but I'd like to know. How hot does your bare sheet metal get vs. painted metal when left in the sun?

[Istas]

I don't know, I've never even tried feeling the difference between the two. I'll try to remember to try it out next time the opportunity presents itself.

And evo-move, thanks for the tip-off. I'm scrounging the site right now.