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Old 04-01-2013, 10:01 PM   #11 (permalink)
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A few more pics to provide the illusion of progress on this project:



Above: ghetto frame mostly completed. In this pic it's very firmly strapped to the car. Five... count 'em! 5 ratchet straps, 2 bungee cords (to be replaced by straps). Still some triangulation to be done.

I've extended a very light 1x1 frame out from the main frame to act as a skeleton. This one won't be a stressed skin structure like the Firefly tail.



Woo.



Starting on the "hip bustles".

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 04-01-2013, 11:31 PM   #12 (permalink)
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How long is it?
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Old 04-02-2013, 12:03 AM   #13 (permalink)
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I think it sticks out from the rearmost part of the bumper about 36 inches... I'll double-check tomorrow.

EDIT: nope, it's 31 inches.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 04-02-2013, 10:19 PM   #14 (permalink)
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working on the left hip

Correction, Sheepdog: it's 31 inches from the end of the bumper. 7 inches shorter than 3-wheeler's permanent tail.

I hope nobody's copying me, because I'm completely winging this one. We won't know how good my "aero eye" is until it's tuft tested & ABA'd.

Insert tab "A" into slot "B"...

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 04-03-2013, 07:06 AM   #15 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
But since I only ever drive this car on the open road, it drives me nuts to be wasting all those extra millilitres of fuel because it doesn't have a boat tail.

I literally think about it ... Every. Time. I. Drive.
*checks for tail*

I, too, am troubled by my lack of a tail.

I know I am buffeting my way through the atmosphere when I could be slicing through it. I could be saving at least 10% in fuel with a proper trailing edge. I could be passing through the dense fog with far less disturbance to the universe, yet still get where I am going quickly.

I may join thee in this quest for a proper termination of the vehicle body.
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Old 04-03-2013, 10:19 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Worked on the "hip/bustle" structure on the right side tonight. No pics (mirror image the pic from yesterday if you're having trouble visualizing it).

Ready to start putting the cardboard skin on it next.

Then... tuft testing! We'll see if it needs any tweaking before encapsulating it all in plastic.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 04-03-2013, 10:20 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyl4rk View Post
I may join thee in this quest for a proper termination of the vehicle body.
Please do!

But... didn't you have a tail already?
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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Old 04-07-2013, 09:35 PM   #18 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 57.73 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,082
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hips done





Main difference between the Firefly's tail and this one: hot glue gun! Highly recommended for CAD construction.

Both sides are done now. Top skin is next.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
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Old 04-07-2013, 10:01 PM   #19 (permalink)
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looking good! I'll be interested to see the results of the tuft testing
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Old 04-07-2013, 11:17 PM   #20 (permalink)
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Metro, that is one of the best-looking prototypes that I have seen on this site! Is there any way that you could replace duct\100 MPH\hurricane tape with paper packaging tape? Are you planning on waterproofing that, or would you wait for the next version?

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