Black & Green modding thread (1998 Civic DX Coupe base)

[California98Civic]

I got the opportunity to finish blanking the holes on my 2007 BMW MINI seven hole rims. The mod creates a "flat" surface to improve aerodynamics. Preventing the airflow from flowing THROUGH the rim face should prevent much of the turbulence created by wheels. I don't use my brakes enough to worry about excessive heat and fade. Rear wheels were done two or three months ago some more details are available earlier in this thread.

Here is some of the data behind the thought (citation for the article this comes from is linked below):



Here is the look:




CITATIONS:

"AEROHEAD" opinion cite... somewhere on ecomodder.com I swear it.

Alexey Vdovin, "Investigation of Aerodynamic Resistance of Rotating Wheels on Passenger Cars," (Gothenburg, Sweden: Department of Applied Mechanics, CHALMERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2013).
http://publications.lib.chalmers.se/...302/176302.pdf

See also:
http://publications.lib.chalmers.se/...ext/133661.pdf
"Blocking the crossflow through the rims result in increased static pressure in the front wheel house and thereby an increase in lift, whereas blocking the crossflow in the rear result in increased downforce due to an increased flow rate through the diffuser. It was however shown that the resulting flow around the rear wheel was highly dependent of the rim design in the front."

[California98Civic]

I have a little time and so am getting to some overdue repair and remounting of several mods. Mostly I want them to be cleaner and more stable in their mounting. I completed the Warm Air Intake and the Brake Vacuum Canister expander today. Previous mounting was rubbing other parts and not as secure as they should be. Next will be my cooling rad ducting, side skirts, and wheel well skirts.

[California98Civic]

Grill block and ducting for cooling radiator. Winter position of the license plate shown. In summer I move it further right to enlarge the opening. Air is ducted into the radiator. The ducting is made from reused thick aluminum. Was free.

[19bonestock88]

VERY nice grille block sir! Also did you paint part of your air dam?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

... Also did you paint part of your air dam?

I did. A quick and dirty forest green spray coat or two. Part of the "theme" of the car. "Black and Green" eco-rat.

[19bonestock88]

I wanted to recolor my car white, leave the mods black and add lime green striping... you know, “Ion Green Line”, but a repaint is likely never gonna happen...

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

I wanted to recolor my car white, leave the mods black and add lime green striping... you know, “Ion Green Line”, but a repaint is likely never gonna happen...

When it became clear that the roof paint was quite far gone, I decided not even to maintain the paint in the traditional ways, much less repaint or touch up the original coat. I wash the car by wiping off the morning mist water that settles on it sometimes. And I periodically treat the coat with Boiled Linseed Oil--cheaper and more "eco" I suppose than the chemicals people usually buy. Slowly, the paint is deteriorating, and I am fine with that. The oil hides clearcoat flaking in a couple small places.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I got the opportunity to finish blanking the holes on my 2007 BMW MINI seven hole rims. The mod creates a "flat" surface to improve aerodynamics. Preventing the airflow from flowing THROUGH the rim face should prevent much of the turbulence created by wheels. I don't use my brakes enough to worry about excessive heat and fade ... Here is the look:

What did you use to blank out the holes? Looks like foam board?

I was thinking about doing something like that, turning and rolling an aluminum sheet to make an inner cover for the rims in addition to a flat one on the outside. It needs to be shaped to miss the brakes, or I'd have to leave out a big hole for the hub. But I'd prefer it whole to have it locked down by the wheel.
I once covered the wheel covers on my winter set, but they tore and collected dust and stones on the inside.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

And I periodically treat the coat with Boiled Linseed Oil--cheaper and more "eco" I suppose than the chemicals people usually buy.

Interesting. I've got Original German paint from the 1970s. It's got many minor scratches. I'm thinking about painting the rust with a Sumi-é brush and rust converter, then maybe Plastidip, but that would be over $100 for materials.

How many pints of linseed oil for one coat on a compact car?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by freebeard

... How many pints of linseed oil for one coat on a compact car?

Not even one. The goal is a very thin layer. One would measure the oil in ML or OZ. Here is someone who did it and applied it a little heavier than I do:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JG5LZHKDU5k