Aerocivic - how to drop your Cd from 0.31 to 0.17

[81rabbitdiesel]

Basjoos,

Just wanted to say thank you for this thread, very inspiring and an enjoyable read. I read the entire thing in one sitting and am sure i will be back when i start modding my 81 rabbit.

Thanks, Don

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by basjoos

No new mods to report. Since all of my work in done outdoors, my main modding seasons are spring and fall when temps aren't too cold or hot for working all day outdoors. I've logged over 190,000 miles on the Aerocivic since modding it.

I don't know how to do and post a screen capture.

Go into Google and zoom in on your car. Press PRTSC (Print Screen) on your keyboard; it is on the top-right. Then open MS Paint or another image editing program and paste it. Then save as JPEG!

[Sven7]

Also, have you tuft tested the bottom of the boattail? I'd be very interested to know if that has attached flow (although your drag numbers suggest the positive).

[basjoos]

I've never tuft tested the parts of my boattail that I can't see from my rear window since I don't have anybody here who would be interested in following me to watch the tuft behavior. Also, unless you were driving a very low slung car, it would be hard to get a good view of the underside of the boattail from behind (and I don't have a video camera to play with). But the rear sections of vehicles that don't have attached flow tend to collect dirt from the turbulent air flow and the underside of my boattail remains mostly clean, so its airflow looks to be mostly attached..

Here is the Google Earth image of the Aerocivic.

[Sven7]

I took a little break today and a picture of the Aero Civic was on my wall... voila!


Aero Civic by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

[fusion210]

Cool pic Sven!

I'm glad you posted that areal shot basjoos, otherwise I'd think you had a stalker. I'm not sure I've posted in this thread yet, but I've shown it to all my friends as an example of what can be done with a little know how and a few hundred bucks!

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Sven7

I took a little break today and a picture of the Aero Civic was on my wall... voila!

That should be available as a print.

[bigash]

Originally Posted by basjoos

I had my brakes worked on 565,000 miles. The front brake pads had lasted 165,000 miles, the rear pads 235,000 miles,

Wow....do you ever use your brakes?

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by bigash

Wow....do you ever use your brakes?

As little as possible. In addition to the mileage loss, brake linings are a consumable and you use a little of it up each time you apply the brakes.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by basjoos

As little as possible. In addition to the mileage loss, brake linings are a consumable and you use a little of it up each time you apply the brakes.

I'm almost afraid to ask how you manage this. With my full-size RAM, brakes are a necessity! I am slowly getting better at adjusting my driving habits, as I now start coasting up to lights and stop signs sometimes a block or more before the intersection, even in 25 mph zones. That took some mental adjustment!

I have got to hand it to you basjoos, the results of your work are impressive. I appreciate you sharing with us. I am taking some inspiration from your efforts on the Aerocivic. I don't see the ECONORAM making 95 mpg or a 0.20 Cd in its future, but I am aiming for for a Cd of about 0.36...which should help fuel economy approach 30 mpg.

Which reminds me; I greatly appreciate the caliber of folks here at ecomodder. It does not matter what you drive, everyone here is willing to offer advice to enable you to improve...

@81rabbitdiesel, even a mild airdam on the front will help you a bit. I fabbed one from sheet metal years ago and was able to get a little more top end. However, I didn't know enough to realize I should have done some testing!? I also suggest you get an early dual outlet exhaust manifold and a Techtonics Tuning 2" exhaust. It's worth hp and fits the car great! Paint it with high-heat paint before you install if you live in the salt belt... Even a little quieter than the factory muffler, I thought. I also suggest a poly front motor mount to keep the engine from rocking. It barely increases vibes in the cab, but the car will feel like you added a few more hp...