AM's '96 Ford Aspire mod thread

[AeroModder]

The mudflap deletion is already in the 65+ Efficiency Mods section, so there's no need to thank me.

Also, I never mentioned that the combination of the spoiler and trip strips show complete flow detachment off the rear. I'll see about getting pictures or video if the tufts aren't still wet.

[AeroModder]

Finally got around to making a template for the side supports for the kammback. I marked measurements all over the piece and took pictures, using the streamlining template to match up the marks with where to cut. Here's the final result:

[AeroModder]

Also managed to get the front undertray done today. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and how the underside of the Aspire is laid out.


















The undertray is nice and flat underneath, and leaves enough space to reach the drain bolts for both the engine and transmission, as well as air to leave the engine bay. It also sits low enough to take all of the odds and ends out of the immediate airstream.

I left a 1 1/2" splitter lip to help air go over and around, rather than under.

[discovery]

Man that is so cool, what are the MPG numbers

[Backtobasics]

I have a question:
Courtesy of the full belly pan (that I love), do you have any concern about venting of heat from engine and radiator?

Will the cloroplast take the heat?
Perhaps you could cut a couple of [ shaped cutouts, that you bend the vertical portion to create a bit of a ramp, do air flow stays directed underneath, and the ramp / wedge will draw some heat out of the engine compartment?

[AeroModder]

I made sure to leave enough open space under the engine for heat to escape. The entire tray is like the [-shaped opening you described.

The front undertray on my Tempo has a vertical strip of coroplast that closes the gap between it and the radiator to force air through it, instead of blowing around it. The undertray has been on for about a year, and it is pretty close to exhaust pipes, and so far it's held up to the heat very well. I'm expecting this undertray to hold up just as well.

As for MPG numbers, I'll find out today!

[Christopher Jordan]

I like the bellypan idea. My garage situation was great- I could have painted my Aspire Royal Purple and put 21" mag wheels if I wanted to (maybe the purple but stack plastic hubcaps are fine!) I moved into an apartment with a shared 70 space garage (no more privately enclosed space); and a bellypan mod that is out of view would be great! Anything "different" would be tinkered with I am sure in this location. Paint too I am afraid.

I would worry about overheating too. Mine has AC and the water pump blew recently. In 1 city block it got very hot, so I turned on the AC. When I stopped I smalled the hot steam smell, then when I opened the door I realised it was cold outside. Turning on the AC fan may have saved the Aspire. Fine now, but I could have kept going and burned everything up!

[piers.singer]

This is a great little project, Aeromodder, keep up the good work! The videos are pretty definitive as to the benefits, in terms of both FE and noise, of removing one's mudflaps. About the VGs, although you noticed no improvement in FE, did cabin noise levels change at all?

[AeroModder]

It looks like I can keep highway MPGs at a steady 50+ now.

I didn't notice any change in cabin noise with the VGs, but I did get some videos today of testing comparing the hatch spoiler, VGs, and the stock hatch.

The engine temps seemed just fine. It warmed up slightly faster than normal, but that's still pretty slow IMO. But it is only a 1.3L, so it doesn't make much heat to begin with.

The videos are uploading now, and I'll post them when they're done.

[AeroModder]

I finally got around to testing and recording the effects of VGs. The test used three setups (hatch spoiler, VGs, stock hatch) in an A-A-B-B-C-C format, using the same stretches of road. The tests were done with the least amount of time possible between trials. Tuft testing shows full flow detachment with the spoiler, full attachment with the VGs, and attachment along the sides for the stock hatch.

With spoiler:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOZ37oopc18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1INZzGQIjY

With vortex generators:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB-BAYUJ2JU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-khQEH2Gcc

Stock hatch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDA561vytLw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kka91kS6GmI

After looking at the videos, I can hardly tell a difference between ANY of the setups. Hopefully I'll be able to see a difference when I make the full Kammback.