hello

[i_am_socket]

I'm not too worried about things sticking out everywhere, they're easily shaved/covered. I just worry that by trying to fabricate more than modify I'll end up with something lacking proper structural integrity. What would be perfect is a frame I could glue some panels on to and call it a day, but a salvaged bumper/kit would fit the bill.

Now I just need a job that pays better and I'd be set :-)

*edit*
Here's a basic before/after of what I'd like to be able to accomplish:

[Nerys]

I wonder has anyone considered making the "airdam" stick out the front more the shape is less a wall? Would not add too much material or mass but should get massive aero improvements??

[i_am_socket]

A more vertically rounded and blunt shape would probably be better, but I'm a bit limited in my GIMP skills at the moment (at work so can't waste TOO much time on it ) Besides, I need something flat to attach my license plate to.

[Nerys]

ahhh thats right jersey has that dumb mandatory 2 plates thing going :-) well you could just CURVE the plate :-) it would not be that much of a curve anyway :-)

[MetroMPG]

Welcome, socket.

My dad's got the same car you've got. He gets horrible mileage with it though, because he rushes everywhere. (Which I can't figure out. The guy's 73 ... what's the hurry? He's supposed to be driving everywhere 10 under with his left turn signal on. ) He also does a lot of very short trips, so you've got him beat there too.

I'll be curious to see how & what you do with it.

[DifferentPointofView]

ahhh thats right jersey has that dumb mandatory 2 plates thing going

Tell that to Illinois I hate the front plate thing. If your driving irratically, how are they gonna see your front plate?

[RH77]

I used my front plate as part of my grille block. Fits great.

Kansas, however, did not require it -- at the time, it was great for the intercooler on the EVO.

I used to run without it here and got pulled over for not displaying it -- I had it in the trunk (at that time it was viewed as a bad aero option). Had to put it back

RH77

[i_am_socket]

I've seen people driving around with the license plate in the front window, so perhaps that may be an option? I'll have to get in touch with a friend of mine who's a local cop.

[DifferentPointofView]

My friend already got pulled over for that in his ford escort. We went mudding in his escort and ramped it and smashed the front license plate bracket off. And we also overheated it a few times... (well.. ok so white smoke poured out of the hood about 5-6 times )

He put it in the windshield to have it there visibly, but he almost got a ticket for it. He got off with a warning and somehow put it back on there with some drilling or something involved (I can't recall)

[i_am_socket]

Sounds reasonable enough. License plates are pretty malleable so I can probably work around it.

Speaking of windshields, I've noticed today just how much my wiper blades are in the main airflow off the hood. Some stuff from the tree I parked next to got caught and was blowing in the wind pretty hard. When I went to clean them off at work I noticed a bug impaled on the wiper arm. I'm thinking a small wind screen extension from the back of the hood to bypass the wipers is in order (the weather is too random, I wouldn't remove them).

Another thing that I noticed recently is that my girlfriend's 07 Corolla has a partial underbody pan from the rear bumper to almost the axles. I checked mine today and I don't have one. Now I'm jealous