Another car for MetroMPG: convertible 1991 Pontiac Firefly (Geo Metro) - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Christ · 03-20-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'm looking forward to playing! But not in the near future - tomorrow the car is going into storage for a couple of months at least.

That's no fun.

Frank Lee · 03-20-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Yeah - too bad about my pesky windshield!

Sawzall FTW!!!!

My '64 Spitfire had a removeable windshield- remove two nuts that were on threaded posts under the dash and off it came!

MetroMPG · 03-20-2010, 03:07 PM

... have been spending time since reading that thinking about detachable windshields...

mcmancuso · 03-20-2010, 07:46 PM

I'll have to watch your progress and see if its worth doing some of your mods on my vert too

I'm interested to see where it goes! I'm also looking for the GT side skirts and some low weight wheels, could you post a pic of the 14" Suzuki's you're looking at?

MetroMPG · 03-21-2010, 12:36 AM

I checked out the GT skirts today. I think they may offer a genuine (if small) aero benefit as well as looking good. I'd modify them a bit though... I think they stick out a bit too far aft of the front wheel. Optimize, optimize.

Here's a vert with side skirts and the OEM 10.5 lbs (so I read) 14 inch wheels. Pretty much what I want to do:

Also looks to be lowered about 1-2 inches - also what I would consider.

The side skirts probably taper in too abruptly aft of the front tire to retain attached flow (assuming smooth wheel covers and a radius on the wheel arch as well).

But they flare nicely ahead of the rear tire, and also provide a handy transition/attachment point for a wheel skirt.

And they'd be good for attachment points for a belly pan as well.

Oh, and also attachment points for tire boat-tailing and deflectors.

Have I rationalized getting GT skirts enough yet?

Christ · 03-21-2010, 12:41 AM

That car looks pretty pimp... I'd rock it!

Meanwhile, someone needs to photochop that soft top into an aero-cap about 2" shorter than it is now.

MetroMPG · 03-21-2010, 12:52 AM

Agreed. I'm looking at that pic trying to figure out how you would mod the existing folding top frame to work with a windshield that's been chopped 2-3 inches. Oh, and what to do about the door windows.

Do all those aero mods, stick in a Solectria AC drive system from a Force sedan with a lithium pack in it, and Bob's your uncle: a very cool little EV. But I digress!

Christ · 03-21-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Agreed. I'm looking at that pic trying to figure out how you would mod the existing folding top frame to work with a windshield that's been chopped 2-3 inches. Oh, and what to do about the door windows.

Do all those aero mods, stick in a Solectria AC drive system from a Force sedan with a lithium pack in it, and Bob's your uncle: a cool little EV. But I digress!

What about a folding hard top? Something framed out, but simple, that can fold together into a trunk-sized piece for cruisin' days?

Else just a plain 'ole removable hard top, a'la Miata roadster, tapered back like the Corvette Stingray models?

I'm actually thinking that one of those could be made out of a wire frame work, in relation to an umbrella, so that it holds a fabric liner tightly in place while being used, but collapses into a flat frame a few inches thick with folds of fabric on it?

Best part, it could be made to be used without actually removing the fabric top that already exists. Put the OE top down, attach the new top to the windshield mounting points and make a few random points along it to attach while you manually open it to it's extreme tip, locking each transom bar into place.

Application time might be less than a few minutes, once you're used to doing it, and it doesn't affect restorability of OE parts/status. Could also use OE body lines to mount, such as deck lid/upper body seam, and decklid/rear body seam, using J-hooks sewn into the fabric or attached to a transom bar/rod.

In case you can't tell, I spent your EV budget on drinks tonite.

MetroMPG · 03-21-2010, 01:05 AM

Ha! You should come to GGP 2010 and we can brainstorm further over a local brew.

Christ · 03-21-2010, 01:08 AM

I'm really working on it, but I keep running into problems w/ getting my truck running right.

I most likely won't be running Gerald in the events, but I may stop by anyway, if nothing else than to meet up and let Sheena and Darius (My Wife and Son) run around the Gorge at Watkins Glen.

Unfortunately, we'll probably be bringing two vehicles, because I'm almost certain we'll be doing different things for some part of the day. Not very fuel-bill friendly, but that's the way it goes, I guess.