05-20-2014, 11:29 PM
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#61 (permalink)
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is not covered in bees.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seeley Lake, Montana, USA
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If they work, they work. And if you're not happy with them, don't feel bad; do it again the way you want to. ![Smile](/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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05-22-2014, 12:01 PM
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#62 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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ABA Question
I understand part of your testing process but your mods look very time consuming to install and remove with many fasteners, etc. How was this done for ABA.
Where I live we have real winters but we also have 90 degree days in summer and use the AC a lot. We'll be interested to hear if you have to remove some of the blockage for hot summer days. Years ago I owned a 3cyl Saab that had a window shade device in front of the radiator.
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05-22-2014, 03:11 PM
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#63 (permalink)
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is not covered in bees.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Philips
I understand part of your testing process but your mods look very time consuming to install and remove with many fasteners, etc. How was this done for ABA.
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It is quite time-consuming, you are correct, and is the reason for the 25-30 minute gap going from stock runs to modded, and 12 minute gap going from modded to stock. 61 sheet metal screws for the grill blocks and airdam/undertray, if my count's accurate. It was the first way I came up with for cheap and simple, and repeatably removable, unfortunately I sacrificed ease/speed for that. Not an issue in regular use as I only need to remove them for oil changes or tire issues.
For the testing I brought along a cordless drill with a flathead screwdriver bit that it came with, and a freshly charged spare battery. Otherwise the removal/attachment would have taken much longer.
Quote:
Where I live we have real winters but we also have 90 degree days in summer and use the AC a lot. We'll be interested to hear if you have to remove some of the blockage for hot summer days. Years ago I owned a 3cyl Saab that had a window shade device in front of the radiator.
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I'm very interested to know this as well! Temps here range from -40 in winter to mid 90s in summer; 40 degree swing from low to high is common in the summer. I plan either on leaving the opening as it is until we get to the hottest days, or making louvers that are adjustable from inside the car so I can keep it optimum at all times (possibly with a second one for the AC side). Inspired by The donkey CRX in this post http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post421965 and others in similar projects. I'll be sure to keep up-to-date info on this post. Was the Saab's window shade device stock? I hear some modern cars now have auto-adjusting grill blocks as standard features.
Finished the driver side rear skirt last night, went to aero test them this morning but got too discouraged by winds and traffic. Got a better picture, at least.
![](http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/IstasPuma/Honda/DSC00642_zpsc9e947ab.jpg)
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05-22-2014, 09:27 PM
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#64 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I have all but a 4x4 inch hole in my grill on my insight and it does well year round up to 100 degrees with ac use. When it goes above 100 degrees I remove half the lower blockage or another 4x4 inch square so the ac stays cool as it will get.
In the off season outside winter I run a full block. ![EEK!](/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif)
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05-22-2014, 10:19 PM
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#65 (permalink)
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is not covered in bees.
Join Date: May 2009
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Thanks for the reference numbers, Cobb! My Accord probably produces a good bit more waste heat than a second-gen Insight, but even still those numbers (and what the Scangauge has been reporting) suggest I could block off even more.
Hopefully I'll get an in-car-adjustable louver thing set up on the intake so I can get exactly the cooling I need, year-round. Double-hopefully I'll only need one on the driver side. ![Smile](/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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05-22-2014, 11:07 PM
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#66 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I use a bottle of water wetter too and it helps. Use of ac keeps everything around 184. No use of ac and it goes to like 195 or so.
I set ac for recycle, lo temp setting and lowest blower speed. I vary blower speed for more or less cooling. I also close the passenger side vents when its me and just use the drivers ones.
I had a slidable block I zipped to the grill. I close it in the morning, then open it for the afternoon drive.
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05-22-2014, 11:53 PM
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#67 (permalink)
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is not covered in bees.
Join Date: May 2009
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Nice setup. Though I think the cold-air intake might be reducing your efficiency.
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05-23-2014, 10:03 PM
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#68 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I lost some mpg, but the foot likes pushing the go petal to the floor.
I babyed the car the other day on my old commute and managed 62 mpg.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Istas
Nice setup. Though I think the cold-air intake might be reducing your efficiency.
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07-31-2014, 02:49 PM
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#69 (permalink)
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Is this thing on?
Join Date: Jul 2014
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2004 year, same car comparisons
I have the same car, but for 2004 and will be doing similar modifications, so thanks for the details on your modifications...will definitely be useful to me.
I was planning to install tightly fitted upper grill blocks deep inside the plastic front piece that has the emblem. So no air will get through, but there will be a recessed part of the upper grill instead of smooth sheet metal all the way across. Anyone think that will make any significant difference?
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07-31-2014, 03:47 PM
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#70 (permalink)
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is not covered in bees.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seeley Lake, Montana, USA
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It will make some difference, yes. Significant, depends on your definition of 'significant'. ![Smile](/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif) It won't be huge, but aeromodding is all about adding up little changes. So it really comes down to your preferences/priorities.
And I'm glad I could be of help.
A few more mods: Larger OD tires (205/70R16's instead of stock 205/60R16's, front only for now), smooth wheel covers (corrugated plastic with zip ties), and running board skirts (corrugated plastic and slotted hex washer head sheet metal screws; the running boards are wonderfully plastic).
![](http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/IstasPuma/Honda/DSC00765_zpse9823b05.jpg)
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