EcoModder.com

EcoModder.com (https://ecomodder.com/forum/)
-   EcoModding Central (https://ecomodder.com/forum/ecomodding-central.html)
-   -   Daox's 2003 Matrix Build Thread (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/daoxs-2003-matrix-build-thread-1890.html)

Daox 04-17-2008 02:09 PM

Daox's 2003 Matrix Build Thread
 
Well, its almost summer and that means its car workin time. I figured I'd start a thread for the Matrix as I really want to get it over 40 mpg this summer. There is also the fact that we put 4-5x more miles on this car than the Paseo since me and the wife carpool in the Matrix most of the time. So, it would make sense to start here, wouldn't it? So, here it is, my 2003 base model Toyota Matrix.

http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/Matrix.jpg



So, lets recap real quick what has already been done to the Matrix.

Daox 04-17-2008 02:18 PM

The Matrix is the wife's work car for the most part and also our trip car. She drives it most of the time and it therefore sits right around the EPA rating. I'm still working on teaching her to drive differently, and its working slowly but surely. Anyway, she makes a lot of trips from company to company throughout the day, many of them are short trips in the city. So, anything I can do to reduce warm-up time should be of benefit not only to fuel economy and emissions, but also to her comfort (yes, bonus points for the husband.) So, I very recently made two grill blocks for it. They've been on the car for almost two weeks now. I haven't pulled her milage book out of the car to see if its helped at all yet. Something to do this weekend.


Before
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/grill3.jpg



After. Upper grill block.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/grill4.jpg



After. Upper and lower grill block. I ran out of fasteners so I used the upper ones on the bottom until I ran to get more.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/grill6.jpg



Updates:
The block did work quite well to warm up the engine faster. I'd say it warmed up 20-30% faster than normal. It also increased intake air temp a few degrees (3-5°F) since the intake is behind the driver side headlight. The mileage gain is pretty impossible to tell. I have not done any A-B-A testing with it, and in normal driving it is not possible to notice. The material (foam board) did hold up, but not that well. It used to be black and is now whiteish-brown. I'll be looking to remake new blocks out of coroplast or something similar in the future. However, the foam board is still hanging in there. Its just not pretty.

I have removed the lower block now that its getting warm out because I noticed the radiator fan kicking in quite often when doing city driving.

Daox 04-17-2008 02:24 PM

Well, I just got the block heater installed. It wasn't too bad. There was just a hole in the block on the driver's side above the transmission. The heater slides in with some grease over it and clips into the hole. Unfortunately, the hole is very burried and I wasn't able to take any real good pictures. Here are the ones I do have though.

I still have to see what of timer/remote I can find exactly for it though. But, that can wait a little bit at least.


Kit contents.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...heater1dy9.jpg



Heater installed.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...heater2pw8.jpg



Heater wiring. I routed the wire around the batter following the main wire harness to make it look clean. It then goes through the front of the car through the headlight hole along with a few other wires.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...heater3df8.jpg



The plug. It is held in place roughly by the grill block. You can kind of tuck it up under it while it is not in use.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...heater4gp1.jpg



Updates:
The block heater worked very well and greatly reduced warm up times. It also got me through the winter with a weak battery since it never had many real cold startups. Unfortuantely, late in the winter season the cord was pulled far enough out of the bumper to drag along the ground. There is about half of the metal pins on the plugs left, but enough to work. So, I'll be looking into doing something to repair that.

Daox 04-17-2008 02:44 PM

So, what on the table for the Matrix next? Well, I really want to work on the underside of this thing.

The front of the vehicle will probably get attention first. I don't have any good pictures of it, but as with most cars, it only has a front skirt that extends back a little ways. I'd like to do a full belly pan under the engine bay.

Here is a shot from another one of our Matrix owners on the board (sorry, forgot your name). As you can see, there are two support members on either side of the exhaust. There is a fairly large step there. I'm thinking of using some aluminum flashing to cover the whole middle section between the support members.

http://www.tercelreference.com/downl..._underside.jpg



That leads us to the back. I'll have to see what can be done with it. The muffler sits sideways in the very back of the car. Definitly going to need some aluminum there.


Other than the underside aero mods, I'll be looking at a WAI to increase load while cruising. The wife doesn't P&G, so this is probably one of the cheapest ways to increase mileage. I'll just have to experiment with different temps. I have a feeling the engine may be sensitive to warmer intake temps as it already has a 10.5:1 compression ratio and still runs on 87 octane.

Daox 04-17-2008 03:24 PM

Any recommendations or other ideas would be great too. :)

Daox 04-21-2008 08:33 AM

Alright, here is the rest of what I have to work with. I hiked up the Matrix this weekend to snap some pics of the bottom.


Even with the two front grill blocks, there was still the area between the bumper cover and main support that was open. This will need to be closed up.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_1.jpg

This is the area I'd like to go over with aluminum flashing between the two support members. The only thing I don't like about it is the aluminum flashing may rub the exhaust as it hangs down a bit below the support member's lowest level.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_2.jpg

This is the large drop off between the engine bay and passenger compartment. Definitly not good for keeping airflow attached.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_3.jpg

Moving backwards you can see that the floor of the car actually tapers down towards the back of the car.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_4.jpg

In these next three pictures you can see Toyota did seem to try to use some underbody panels for one reason or another.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_5.jpg
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_6.jpg
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_7.jpg

However, once you get beyond the rear axle, all bets are off. There is nothing here to help airflow. Thankfully, the bumper cover doesn't hang down real low. So, there isn't much parachute effect going on.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_8.jpg

SVOboy 04-21-2008 01:45 PM

I think we have the same jack, :p

Looking forward to some more updates.

Arminius 04-21-2008 02:07 PM

Those grill blocks look really good. At least you don't have the rear bumper problem that the Civic has. After calculating gas and materials, I decided it would be cheaper to buy a manufactured grill block, so I had someone make it for me. It looks something like the pics in this link (scroll down):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-05...mZ230244155698

edbso 04-30-2008 01:56 PM

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...o/Bellypan.jpg

That would be my photo above. I have covered the under engine area from the front bumper to about 4" beyond the front wheels.

See more here

edbso 04-30-2008 02:12 PM

PS: 37.87 mpg Canadian
 
EPA mpg Highway 28 mpg

Recently observed on the highway with cruise set at 70 mph 31.5 miles per American gallon.

37.87 miles per Canadian gallon.

ac was off.

trikkonceptz 04-30-2008 02:35 PM

Hi there, I own your cousin car the Vibe. I know it was winter when you did the radiator blocks, but have you had a chance to drive the car or will you drive the car with the blocks on during the summer months? Won't the car overheat in the summer? Does it really save that much gas?

Just asking the dumb questions at this stage because now that I have changed my driving I want to start tweaking the vibe within reasonable limits ..

edbso 04-30-2008 02:52 PM

Fortunately the Matrix has a "real" temperature gauge not idiot lightz.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/edbso/temp1-2.jpg

I watch it and it is rock solid. The fan will come on at a long light.

I also use an indoor/outdoor thermometer to monitor the air intake temperature.

The nice think about tape used as a grill block it is easily removed and more added.

As to saving gas??? I am exceeding the EPA numbers.

trikkonceptz 04-30-2008 03:22 PM

Now building on the idea ... would building these grille blocks work just as well if they were installed with as little as a 1/2" spacer in order to allow some air in at idle? I would assume the seperation would have very little effect on the aero dynamics in motion?

Daox 04-30-2008 03:40 PM

Nice bellypan edbso! What kind of mileage were you getting before having it installed?

trikkonceptz, I removed the lower block when the outside temperatures started to rise. With both of the blocks in place I noticed that the radiator fan would come on quite often in city driving which my wife does a lot of. It definitly wouldn't overheat, but the fan going all the time would probably negate any benefits of the block. However, if the Matrix was only really used for highway driving I would have probably kept the block in place. I believe the large gap between the bumper cover and support member of the car allows plenty of cooling at highway speeds (see the first picture in post #6). I'd still highly recommend a scangauge or similar device to accurately read the coolant temperature. The dial gauge on the car is not accurately telling you the temp of the coolant.

I definitly believe that the grill block has helped though. In the winter I noticed an immediate increase in mileage despite the weather getting colder. Now that its summer my wife (primary driver) has been pretty consistantly getting 36+ mpg. You can click my signature to see my mileage log. Unfortuantely, I don't have notes saying when I installed the block.

Daox 04-30-2008 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz (Post 22448)
Now building on the idea ... would building these grille blocks work just as well if they were installed with as little as a 1/2" spacer in order to allow some air in at idle? I would assume the seperation would have very little effect on the aero dynamics in motion?

That would probably hurt aero.

edbso 04-30-2008 04:07 PM

Thanks.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/edbso/Top-1.jpg
The top row of openings are actually closed at the factory and allow no air to pass. So I have only 1 row letting air in plus the "crack" where the hood and bumper meet.


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/edbso/Bottom.jpg

The top 2 rows are open on the bottom grill.

The openings are very easily adjustable with another piece of tape or removing one.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...brakeducts.jpg

I have also closed off the fake brake cooling ducts with 3 pieces of tape. Again all in an effort to smooth out the airflow.

I have not had a previous clean run of some distance at 70 to be able to do a before and after calculation. Previous record high 41.48 mpg Canadian on the back highways at about 55 to 60mph.

Exceeding the Highway EPA estimates at 70 mph pleases me and is something of an accomplishment.

jcantara 04-30-2008 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edbso (Post 22443)
Fortunately the Matrix has a "real" temperature gauge not idiot lightz.

Note: I would strongly, strongly suggest you do not trust the "real" temperature gauge, it isn't good:
http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=2066

trikkonceptz 04-30-2008 04:47 PM

Edbso .. Thanks for the pics ... why not use Blue painters tape? That packaging tape may take off or ruin your paint over time ... Just looking out for ya ...

Daox 05-07-2008 09:38 PM

Alright, I finally had a free weeknight! So, I decided it should be Matrix bellypan time. Last week I picked up a 4'x8' sheet of black coroplast for this project. The front piece here took half the sheet. Not much to it really, just cut, fit, cut, fit, etc. I really am liking the results even though I didn't have enough time to fasten the back side of it yet. Darn sunlight, theres never enough of it.


Here is what we are starting with.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/car116.jpg



Here is the coroplast sheet. I used half of it for the piece you'll see below.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/car118.jpg



I took off one of the wheels and traced out where it needed to be cut for clearance. You can kind of see my pencil marks here.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/car123.jpg



This is the near final form.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/car137.jpg



And here is it fitted on the car using the jack to hold the back side in place.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/car130.jpg

Daox 05-14-2008 09:02 PM

The bellypan is finished up. The back is held to the chassis with those plastic expanding body fasteners with the pin in the middle. They work great. Unfortunately, the pictures turned out really dark though so I'm not even going to bother posting. They look like the last picture but without the jack. :) I took it for a spin on the highway and everything is nice and smooth and quiet (no flapping noises). When I get some time I'll do the coast down testing and get some final pictures.

Edit: Here is my best picture... I had to provide something. Told ya its dark though.

http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/car187.jpg

thevisionseeker 06-02-2008 05:01 PM

Why not put the coroplast above the lip of your front bumper? What I mean is your bumper is designed to allow air flow and so if you put the coroplast on the inside of the bumper and above the lip (hard to explain but almost tucking it) the air would roll over the curve of your bumper and straight back against the coroplast. Right now even though its not much the piece of coroplast looks like it would hesitate the air flow just a bit. Also I think it would look cleaner.
Sorry I just thought I would ask. Also I was thinking about doing the same thing but I was thinking about finding the push pin things Toyota used for the bumper and panels already. Think that would work?

It looks good though. Do you know what kind of MPG you are getting after doing this?

Daox 06-02-2008 05:38 PM

Haha, I've answered that question on almost every forum I've posted on. The answer is that tucking the belly pan up and under the bumper cover lip will do next to nothing for aerodynamics. The coroplast is right around 1/8" thick and small bumps like that in a body have very little effect on aero.

The rear two mounting points are push pin type fasteners. I haven't got around to getting them for the front yet.

I also haven't gotten around to doing any testing with it to see what kind of benefits it is providing. As of right now I'm averaging just over 40 (click my sig pic to see my mileage log).

trikkonceptz 06-02-2008 05:56 PM

^^^ Sleep with one eye open .. I'm coming for ya ...

reformed 06-02-2008 10:11 PM

Any noticable heat distortion from the exhaust on the bellyban?

Looks great by the way:thumbup:. I'll be doing one myself soon and I've always wanted to ask someone who has done one firsthand if there are any heat effects. Thats the only thing I'm worried about.

MetroMPG 06-02-2008 11:05 PM

Somehow I missed this thread. Nice clean installation, as usual.

Daox 06-03-2008 10:24 AM

The exhaust pipe really isn't close to the bellypan at all. In the Matrix the exhaust manifold is on the back side of the engine close to the firewall. The bellypan ends before the exhaust really exits the engine bay. In the picture below you can see where the pipe comes out of the engine bay. The bellpan goes to the back of that ledge that has all the holes in it.

http://www.tercelreference.com/downl...ix_under_3.jpg

malibuguy 06-15-2008 01:08 AM

very nice Daox, i took a gander at this for some ideas for the Caliber, i actully had it on the lift today at work to see what i could do

now i need to find some coroplast...i have a buncha sheet aluminum, but its for the Malibus ;)

heres a pic of the Calibers underside...i kinda wish i tucked the muffler up higher now...
http://a310.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...1c0f8a98bd.jpg

Daox 06-24-2008 09:15 PM

Little update. In preperation for my comming vacation trip to Wyoming this comming week I'm going over the Matrix to make sure she's ready to go. However, winter took its toll on my good 'ol foam board grill block. The nice satin black finish was totally worn off to a paper like material under it. Needless to say it looked kind of silly on an all black car. So, I took the night to remake the block in coroplast.

The old grill block. Still worked fine. I guess I'm just picky about looks.
http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/Matrix005.jpg


The new grill block. Looks strikingly like the original. It has a few minor tweaks and fits slightly better.

http://www.tercelreference.com/downloads/Matrix004.jpg

SVOboy 06-24-2008 09:17 PM

Nice!

edbso 06-24-2008 09:26 PM

Looking good, hope that you get to The Bear Tooth Highway.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/edbso/Cad.jpg

close to 12,000 feet here.

I'll have the Matrix there this August.

MetroMPG 06-24-2008 10:19 PM

Are you going to make mini grille blocks for inside the Toyota logo? :D

Daox 06-25-2008 08:19 AM

lol, no. :p

I am considering putting the bottom block on for traveling out to Wyoming though. At highway speeds I've never had a problem with heat. I only removed the lower one because the fan kicks in a lot during city driving with it on. However, I will be doing next to no city driving on the way out there. Removing it as simple as removing two fasteners...

mapgoblin 06-29-2008 08:13 PM

Looking good. Hope you're having a blast out in Wyoming.

I've got an 03 matrix too, been trying to hypermile for about two weeks now, going pretty will, getting about 400 miles out of a tank now, used to be 330.

I'm starting to think about mods, and it looks like you don't have the ground effects. Did you rip em off? see any gain from it?

Tango Charlie 08-12-2008 08:43 PM

Daox
Very nice bellypan install.

I didn't realize the Matrix/Vibe had a place for a preheat probe. Where did you get yours?

Daox 08-13-2008 08:11 AM

Thanks.

I got the block heater from www.1sttoyotaparts.com. They don't have it listed on their site, but if you call them up they'll get one to you. I think shipped price was around $35 which is very reasonable IMO.

Daox 10-21-2008 08:43 PM

I just got done digging in boxes for my timer to hook up the block heater on the Matrix this evening. Its all tucked in for a nice warm startup tomorrow morning.

FYI, for all of you guys with the 1ZZ engine (Matrix, Corolla, Celica, Vibe) I plugged in my kill-a-watt to see what kinda juice the heater pulled. I didn't let it stay on, but while cold it was pulling 425 watts. For the few minutes it was on the wattage did drop to 417. I'll check tomorrow morning to see how much juice it is pulling once it is hot.

I was happy to see this high wattage. I thought it was only around 300 watts. IMO a higher wattage will be superior. More heat will heat the engine quicker and leave less time for the heat to dissipate and therefore be more efficient.

Daox 10-22-2008 08:31 AM

I checked it this morning and it was pulling right around 420W.

i_am_socket 10-22-2008 09:23 AM

Sweet, now I just need a garage or outdoor outlets. ;)

Tango Charlie 10-22-2008 09:39 AM

How about that; I just ordered my block heater a couple days ago. I'm looking forward to a warm car in the morning!

Chris D. 10-30-2008 03:34 AM

I just emailed 1st toyota parts or whatever that site was with
my vin # asking if theres a factory engine heater setup..

I like the grill block, way nice..


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:17 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com