First Draft Eco Focus Mods
 

Well, finally finished off a few mods for the EcoFocus. What do you think?

Grill blocker:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...M/P1010006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...M/P1010007.jpg

4 1/2in air dam extension:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...M/P1010049.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...M/P1010050.jpg

RabbitM

Very stealthy grill block. I love it. :thumbup: Can't hardly tell it's there in the photos, is it blocking the whole top grill?

how are those focus lift backs? I was thinking about getting one

Very nice. I'm finishing up a coroplast air dam and front tire spoiler on my Focus this weekend, I'll post pics tomorrow.

I also got the antenna down close to the roof and added the velcro strips to the A-pillars to cut wind noise and drag by the windows, they seem to help.

Was it tough getting to the front grille like that? Mine's all blocked off from the top. I'm thinking of putting some of the leftover coroplast in there just like you did.

Thanks,

Yep the entire top grill is blocked, from the inside. I was going for a clean look. It was tough to get the shape to fit. After many tries, I finally got the profile to fit around all the inside tabs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...P1010001-1.jpg

RabbitM

Whats that airdam extension made from?

TheDon,

I'm a lot happier with the Ford hatch since the mileage improvements. Good interior space, versatile and fun to drive through the twisties. I would trade the 2.0l for a 1.6l for better fuel econ.. 2.0l much more horsepower than I really need.

RabbitM

AXMonster,

I am jealous, we can't get the fuel efficient small car that you guys have in the Europe. The air dam is made of unobtainium. Really expensive stuff. Almost obtainable....

Actually, my target for all my modifications is to make it recoverable from the savings made on gas mileage improvement and to look pro. I used a piece of landscaping edging. It took a while to find one that would fit and not look stupid. I had to form the plastic to fit. I'm not entirely happy with it, but it is solidly on there and it doesn't look stupid.

RabbitM

looks like the stuff you can buy in the garden section at Lowes to make borders for flower beds:D:D:D but I could be wrong since yours apears to be black #1224f4 not Black # 1224d4

ah yes, the famous garden edging, it works well, i put it on my buddies car, cheap easy & if you tear it up...your out like 2bucks

Great looking mods. Is that plexi glass you used to block front grille? I have an 07 SES and wanting to do what you have done. Any mpg increase since modified.


Mike

My grill blocker is lexan. I chose it because it will not yellow. You could make a cheaper acrylic one. You can see on my fuel log that I have a minimum of 1mpg improvement. If I had a scan gage I would do a proper A-B-A.

RabbitM

Does blocking the grill cause the car to get warmer? I was thinking about doing the same to my 03 focus but was worried that cutting off the airflow may cause it to overheat easier. Does it on yours?

Hello,

The grill block might be more effective if it was flush on the outside?

I drove a ZX5 just prior to my xA. Mine was a 2002 manual. You are doing very well -- I think I got about 28.5 once in a while...

The grill block on my xA (also on the upper grill) had no affect on the temperature. My ScanGage is typically around 184F, on hot days.

The grill block looks great! The grill doesn't look that thick, so I'm going to bet that the added benefits of placing it on the outside are pretty marginal. It looks 100x better on the inside. I love the zipties too.. that's how my grill block is fastened :D

That's quite a stealthy airdam. I might look into getting that for my car also since it has black paint as well. Where did you get it, and what did you use to fasten it to the car?

Hi,

This game is all about margins -- my exterior grill block (still temporary, now with transparent "weatherstripping" tape) gained me 2-3mpg. So not only does the constant fuel use on the highway go down by a greater amount, but also it is possible for me to coast down gentler grades, than I could otherwise.

The grill block (on my xA anyway) is about 2X more effective than my first take on rear wheel skirts. It is the most important part of the car -- since it is first to start to push the air. The pressure there is (probably) the highest, so smaller "flaws" make a greater difference than they would elsewhere.

The Focus' grill is recessed (maybe an 1"?) and the diamond grill itself is maybe ~1/2" deep? The lip that is formed at the top is ~1 1/2" which doesn't sound trivial to me. Some black Coroplast could be fashioned to form a flush surface, so the air flow has no lip at all would likely be much better.

I have had no engine temp issues with the grill blocker. Problem with the external blocker is how to meet function, easy of manufacturing(lots of exposed curves), look reasonably discrete and not damage the OE grill part( SO I can remove it when I sell the car).

The air dam is made from lawn edging, but it is formed. I may take a second try at it. Actually the only problem is how easy it is to drag on a driveway ramp.

can't see pics
 

I can't see the pictures - can you maybe send me the pictures to my e-mail address? mjkbracht@yahoo.com

I'd really like to see them - can you tell me if you send them - I don't use that account much - it's there for things like this

thanks in advance