Greetings, fellow aeronauts! - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Eighty-Nine Si · 08-03-2008, 05:05 PM

I read recently that about three percent of the automobile-buying population is interested in high-performance vehicles and a similar number is inclined towards high-mileage vehicles. Personally, I want both. My vehicle of choice is an '89 Honda Si with a JDM ZC motor and bolt-ons (headers, intake, underdrive pulleys, etc). Aside from being modestly lowered, it appears to be stock. My girlfriend lives about 300 miles from me and my families summer place is about 850 miles away. My goal is to create readily removable aero-mods that will allow me to beat ungodly mileage out of the car on long runs and yet have a low-key daily-driver. As it stands, it is very much a sleeper and far faster than it appears to be. I want it all.

MetroMPG · 08-03-2008, 07:31 PM

Sounds like a plan! What's first on the list?

Welcome to the forum.

Johnny Mullet · 08-03-2008, 08:22 PM

Removable aerodynamics sounds like fun!

Eighty-Nine Si · 08-03-2008, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the welcome, Metro MPG! My dream-goal would be to fashion a readily removable mask and bustle out of steam-bent wood and doped-fabric...old airplane tech, attached using modern race-car fasteners. I will have to research that methodology...the Winters are long. I used to own a Diesel Rabbit with an aftermarket fiberglass air-dam and a 4" nylon-backed rubber lip that was only a handful of inches from the pavement. I intend to fabricate a similar one from stuff I have seen at McMaster-Carr. I do not believe that side-skirts of the same material would be difficult to make either. A rear diffuser made from sheet metal would be fairly easy to make/attach (I have a good friend with metal-forming equipment). I am thinking about a wrap-around detachable air-dam with a reduced air intake. Back in the day, Ford Pintos had a louvered front grill that allowed plenty of air in while puttering yet allowed air to pass over at speed due to the angle of approach. If I can find any technical rationale for mounting Vortekz tabs, I will. I am researching a higher fifth gear and contemplating mounting 175/55x16 (Yokohama Advan Neova AD07) tires to reduce my frontal area (and provide a taller final drive ratio). Alas, despite being larger in diameter, they are damned pricy at $192/each. I will put a lip in front of the windshield wipers ala Basjoos. I have more ideas than time but will start slow.