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Old 11-23-2011, 04:38 PM   #1 (permalink)
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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.
Here's a side view:
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.
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.
Here's the grill taken out:
Here's my coroplast grill after very few measurements and very much guessing and checking. (Measure 0 times, cut 5 times)
And here's the back:
It screws in twice on bottom (next picture) and three times on top (picture after that).
Here's the final product with the hood closed:
And here's a side view:
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


Last edited by slowbro; 11-23-2011 at 06:44 PM..
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Old 11-23-2011, 06:29 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Looks good, nice job.
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Old 11-23-2011, 06:31 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Nicely done! Perhaps a bowtie from the junkyard would help disguise it even more.

Or a Daewoo badge, because it's really a Daewoo
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Old 11-23-2011, 08:13 PM   #4 (permalink)
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wow the gaps around the head lights....
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Old 11-28-2011, 05:39 PM   #5 (permalink)
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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
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Old 11-28-2011, 06:31 PM   #6 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 11-28-2011, 10:32 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aveomiler View 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
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.
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Old 01-24-2012, 10:11 AM   #8 (permalink)
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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
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Old 01-24-2012, 10:29 AM   #9 (permalink)
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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.

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