The "Brick" gets a new air dam

[JasonG]

Well, the brace seems to be working.
A coworker has confirmed this.

Another 15 MPG tank today !

On the curb scrubbing issue, we had a big test yesterday.
Due to a tight spot in a loading area, I had an intimate encounter with a ramp.
Bent the right corner up 2-3 inches at least.
I pushed it back sort of flat by hand. Either the sun or the nature of vinyl did the rest.
A little spray paint and you have to stare to see anything.
Seems like the plactic has a bit of memory to it.

Now my supervisor wants to add one to his 2008 with the next size down engine !

Hey, at 30K miles a year, 1 MPG is $500

[Sven7]

What's your approach angle? My air dam is pretty low but I've got to drive straight up a pretty steep incline to get it to scrape. Or maybe you're scraping more on curbs...


IMG_4442 by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

Still, great job on the 1-2 MPG improvement! I'd love to see some pics of the whole van for context.

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Still, great job on the 1-2 MPG improvement! I'd love to see some pics of the whole van for context.

As requested

Yeah, I scrape on some curbs. Only once on a driveway with a dip and an incline.

Going camping this weekend, next comes the mini Kamm !


P.S.
The android is covering my companies logo. Not trying to commercialize/advertise on the forum.

[JasonG]

This week I ran the brick through the dirt tunnel (it rained off and on for 3 days)

I noticed the crud on the rear is more black. Road grime Vs regular dirt.
Is this related to the air dam ?

Here's my theory:
The air dam prevents clean air from going under the vehicle in the front.
That means the air to fill the rear void has to come from the engine compartment and sides only.
The air contains more road grime kicked up by the tires.

Does this make sense?

If so, should I work on the airflow underneath or the Kamm next ?

[JasonG]

Quick post while waiting for a key,

Filled up yesterday..... 16.01MPG whoohoooo !

Next is to look for a piece made of black.
The black paint on white vinyl shows scrapes badly.
Ethier black siding or a sheet of ABS.

[Reloadwin]

Looks Good.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by JasonG

This week I ran the brick through the dirt tunnel (it rained off and on for 3 days)

I noticed the crud on the rear is more black. Road grime Vs regular dirt.
Is this related to the air dam ?

Here's my theory:
The air dam prevents clean air from going under the vehicle in the front.
That means the air to fill the rear void has to come from the engine compartment and sides only.
The air contains more road grime kicked up by the tires.

Does this make sense?

If so, should I work on the airflow underneath or the Kamm next ?

I'd do a belly pan next and maybe rear wheel skirts after the kamm. Also, road grime would be significantly less with some wheel fairings a la AeroCivic.

This van looks gangster by the way.

[JasonG]

WOW !
Standing at the pump with my mouth open.......

19.22 MPG

While half of the tank was pure interstate, the other half involved a ladder rack and a 32' extension ladder.

I think this is really working !

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by JasonG

WOW !

I think this is really working !

You could try some side-skirts as well as rear-wheel fairings.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by euromodder

You could try some side-skirts as well as rear-wheel fairings.

You mean skirts? Fairings would be most effective on the front wheels