Honda Insight Tail Extension Project - Page 41 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

3-Wheeler · 01-31-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by euromodder

.....But the tail looks even better now.
I'm surprised at how tight the gap is

Euro,

You're words from one year earlier, rang true with me when I had the opportunity to tighten up the gap.

Thanks for the inspiration!!

Jim.

3-Wheeler · 01-31-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HydroJim

Once the weather warms up in here in cleveland, I'm looking to get started on my boat tail. Your thread has a been a great inspiration for my design.

I'm going to be using a foam/fiberglass sandwich on a metal frame and I have a few questions.

What did you use as a filler to smooth the fiberglass? I read about an epoxy/glass sphere mix and was wondering exactly what that was?

Also, how much do you think a full sized boat tail would cost to do. including foam. fiberglass, body filler, primer, paint, etc.?

The epoxy mix that was used to smooth the foam, was made by mixing glass "micro-balloons" with normal epoxy resin, and stirring for about one minute.

You can get the micro balloons from any epoxy reseller such as U.S. Composites.

As for cost, my base materials were summarized at the beginning of this thread, so please check there.

The summary does not have the paint cost, but high quality automotive primer paint is about $30 a quart, along with the hardener, which is also close to the same cost.

I expect the red paint to be about the same cost when it comes time.

But before painting, some tuft testing is in order to make sure the angles are not too steep.

Jim.

3-Wheeler · 01-31-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

From my tail building experience it costs between $200-400 do make one from foam and fiberglass. Metal would be about half that cost.

Weather,

I think you hit the overall price on the head!

Thanks, Jim.

COcyclist · 01-31-2012, 03:26 PM

This looks better all the time. Thanks for documenting this build. Once tuft testing is done I personally think it would look great if the black accent line on the wheel skirts continued up onto the tail!

SwamiSalami · 05-06-2012, 08:56 PM

man, this is just a fantastic thread.

sheepdog 44 · 07-05-2012, 07:23 PM

How much of an MPG improvement would a Kammback or Boat tail do for a cvt? I know i will never reap the benefits of a greatly improved leanburn envelope, but why should that stop me from from improving the efficiency of my car.

As a base line i average 64.5 mpg on commute with around town errands added. Max speed is 55mph, average around 45mph. On the highway i average 55mpg going the 65mph speed limit with large sections on inclines, but which could be improved by driving style.

My goal is to break an even 70mpg average all day long. I would ultimately want to match the stated epa 75mpg of the manual in a cvt.

3-Wheeler · 07-05-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepdog 44

How much of an MPG improvement would a Kammback or Boat tail do for a cvt? I know i will never reap the benefits of a greatly improved leanburn envelope, but why should that stop me from from improving the efficiency of my car.

As a base line i average 64.5 mpg on commute with around town errands added. Max speed is 55mph, average around 45mph. On the highway i average 55mpg going the 65mph speed limit with large sections on inclines, but which could be improved by driving style.

My goal is to break an even 70mpg average all day long. I would ultimately want to match the stated epa 75mpg of the manual in a cvt.

If you look at post 286, you can see some data that was generated by A-B testing the tail on and off the car.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/203744-post286.html

This is the mileage gain at only 55 mph, and at your speed of 65 mph, you will see an even greater improvement.

Jim.