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Old 03-20-2010, 12:48 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post


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.

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Old 03-20-2010, 01:02 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
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!
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Old 03-20-2010, 03:07 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
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... have been spending time since reading that thinking about detachable windshields...
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 03-20-2010, 07:46 PM   #14 (permalink)
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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?
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Old 03-21-2010, 12:36 AM   #15 (permalink)
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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?
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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Old 03-21-2010, 12:41 AM   #16 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
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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.
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Old 03-21-2010, 12:52 AM   #17 (permalink)
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90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

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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!
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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Old 03-21-2010, 01:01 AM   #18 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
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.
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Old 03-21-2010, 01:05 AM   #19 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
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Ha! You should come to GGP 2010 and we can brainstorm further over a local brew.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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Old 03-21-2010, 01:08 AM   #20 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
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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.

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