Grill blocks and mirrors done (and more updates! 7.9.2015)

[Eddie25]

Originally Posted by deejaaa

looks good. I started a new grille block but won't post up until finished. it will be real lightweight and hopefully look factory.

thanks! that is my goal too is to keep everything looking stock

[Focus-Ak]

Subscribe.

[iamnotahippee]

Very cool. I like the use of the vinyl for an upper grille block. I have some and have been thinking along the same lines. I didn't notice, does the Fiesta have fog light cutouts?

[Eddie25]

Originally Posted by iamnotahippee

Very cool. I like the use of the vinyl for an upper grille block. I have some and have been thinking along the same lines. I didn't notice, does the Fiesta have fog light cutouts?

the vinyl unfortunately did not work for long. it got brittle in the sun and started cracking and peeling off. the fiesta does have fog light cutouts but my version is not fitted with fogs just a blank piece. the belly pan has been removed for about a month now to do some work under the car and improve the belly pan. (yes i know im getting there) No real gain in mpg have been noticed adding the items just the wind noise reduction.

[deejaaa]

have an idea using clear lexan(scrap found on side of road), building a vacuum chamber and vacuum forming it to the grille. saw an episode of "full custom garage" when he did it.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...01800829,d.eXY
check it out.

[Eddie25]

updates! first pic is of the standard bellypan that was on the car. this model fiesta is not sold with a belly pan. the belly pan is not even for this make of a car it has a audi and vw badge on it. this is how i bought the car. i took a peace of wood and coroplas and just cable tied everything together. the back of the coroplas is going to be trimmed to stop it fluttering and im looking into making some vortex generators off the end of it. this is not a full bellypan maybe 70 or 80% and it has been sprayed black since this pic just not fitted yet.



did some tuft testing as per image on the wiper blades. decided to get some more streamlined wiper blades and bend the arms of the blades so they sit closer to the windscreen and tuck behind the hood bit better. pic shows before and after position of blades and arms.



before of smaller blade

after. also the big blocks that they clip into have been trimmed down to the smallest profile possible. as mentioned in a previous post i trimmed the top piece of the wiper blades too.

difference between the 2 blade types. (not from same car)

longer blade tucked away. unfortunately i dont have a before pic but this was the biggest gain.


Grill block v1.2:
coroplas was covered in some black ducktape and cable tied behind the grill. openings were left on the right and left side for the air intake and a some cooling. however i decided to close the left smaller opening completely after the pics were taken.



there is about a 1 to 1.5cm or half inch gap between the top of the grill and the bonnet. i put a seal strip there so they can sit flush and the covered it in ducktape aswell. if you see closely you can spot the unevenness along the top of the grill. this will be improved some time.

final product


nice pic showing all the work. new grill block and tucked away wipers


once again i am not planning to go crazy with the mods like campacks or covered wheel arches, just simple easy things to help improve the general efficiency and most important keeping the car looking stock. so far gain with all these mods has been between .5 and .6l per 100km. looking forward to adding that bellypan!

[iamnotahippee]

Is there any gain to be had by knife edging the leading edge of the wiper arm? That would be simple and quick to do. I am sure it would be minimal improvements, but a lot of minimal starts to add up.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Have you never considered to convert it wiper to a single-blade layout? BTW have you done any mod to the rear wiper?

[Eddie25]

Update. Car broke down. waterpump bearings collapsed. managed to pick up something was wrong and when the temp suddenly rose i pulled off immediately. Car is at mechanics now.

Originally Posted by iamnotahippee

Is there any gain to be had by knife edging the leading edge of the wiper arm? That would be simple and quick to do. I am sure it would be minimal improvements, but a lot of minimal starts to add up.

im sure this will help but the current mods has hidden almost 80% of the wiper blades so im happy as is. another easier solution is to use those paper binder clips i used as wheel spats and just slide them into place at the trailing edge of the bonnet to deflect air over the parts of the blades sticking out the most.

as for the rear wiper i dont think any air gets there as this is a hatchback. but it is old and needs replacing ...sometime. like i said i like keeping things stock. the wife also uses the car from time to time it was actually bought for her and she is not that impressed with these mods. the less she realizes has changed the better

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Eddie25

as for the rear wiper i dont think any air gets there as this is a hatchback

Hatchbacks are often quoted to have higher turbulences at the rear than a sedan.