Chevy Aveo Grill Block
 

After making huge changes to my driving habits in the past few months, I decided that it is time to aerodynamically modify my vehicle starting with the upper grill on my car.http://oi42.tinypic.com/ifojnd.jpg
Here's a side view:http://oi42.tinypic.com/2l252q.jpg
Before I started, I wanted to test the aerodynamics with a piece of cardboard that I spraypainted black. I also drew Audi rings in colored pencil to be funny. It's an Audi Aveo.:Dhttp://oi41.tinypic.com/6t330p.jpghttp://oi40.tinypic.com/33bhkiq.jpg
I ended up getting impatient because testing conditions weren't ideal, so I started working on a more permanent coroplast upper grill cover. I wanted to make it easy to put in and take out so I decided that using the screws that the original grill mounts with was a good idea. I circled where the screws are on the original grill in green.http://oi43.tinypic.com/5bzcbc.jpg
Here's the grill taken out:http://oi40.tinypic.com/ozfpw.jpg
Here's my coroplast grill after very few measurements and very much guessing and checking. (Measure 0 times, cut 5 times):D http://oi42.tinypic.com/1z645s0.jpg
And here's the back:http://oi42.tinypic.com/118itdi.jpg
It screws in twice on bottom (next picture) and three times on top (picture after that).http://oi43.tinypic.com/2w5ouo8.jpghttp://oi43.tinypic.com/dwxjch.jpg
Here's the final product with the hood closed:http://oi41.tinypic.com/70axc6.jpg
And here's a side view:http://oi43.tinypic.com/xary45.jpg
Sorry for the long post. One more thing. I attempted to test this modification but I couldn't find any significant difference. I'm not expecting there to be much difference but I was hoping for it to be measurable. I tested A-B-A style @55 mph measuring fuel economy with two A runs down and back (original grill), three B runs down and back (new grill), and finally two A runs down and back again. I'm thinking the wind was too variable that day to get reliable test results (Average wind speed - 8.63 mph, maximum sustained wind speed - 15.00 mph). If I did coast-down testing would I get more reliable and hopefully measurable data? Please give your thoughts.
-Thank you

Looks good, nice job.

Nicely done! Perhaps a bowtie from the junkyard would help disguise it even more.

Or a Daewoo badge, because it's really a Daewoo ;)

wow the gaps around the head lights....

Looks like a good start. Im beginning to think these little mods are like anything else you do, miniscule returns per mod, but when combined with a handful of others it could really add up and pay off. I agree tho, maybe paint some fake grill surround and put a bow tie in the middle and it would look sick!
Matt

wind
 

SAE cuts off testing if gusts get to 12-mph or higher.
You'll need calmer conditions.( wish we could order that like pizza!)
Looks good.:thumbup:

My Aveo is an '09 with a larger grille than yours. I permanently sealed the lower grille and have a removable plate for the upper grille. Neither have any measurable effect on aerodynamics; however, the car will warm up a bit faster in winter with both grilles blocked. At temps above freezing you will need to remove the upper grille block or the car will run too hot, cycling the fan on more often.

Hi everyone, I've got a 2010 Aveo - I haven't made really any changes; K&N air filter, Low-rolling resistance tires, removed wipers and using Scan guage E. Could anyone advise me whether removing the rear plastic bumper would help? I don't really understand aerodynamics but this forum mentions mud-flap removal and the whole rear bumper looks like a giant parachute! Removing it would look terrible but would it help?
cheers

Nope, it won't help at all. You have to have smooth airflow ahead of it first. So, without a bellypan, removing it won't help.