04-11-2012, 10:30 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: kansas city, mo
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Modding "The Party" (aeromods on 2011 Ford Fiesta S sedan)
Hi all, Finally had time and got busy! First off, Air'd up my tires to 43Psi Factory(Kumho) 195/60/15 on steel rims. Stock Hub caps will soon be changed once i get my butt in gear again. too many projects right now.
Front(flush as can get) lower Grill Blocker, made from Coroplast and taped on with wide Paper tape(works well for me, clear tape would be a nightmare to get off!
The Rear Wheel Skirts have about 3/4" -1" of space free from the wheels, and fit nice and tight with the body line and flow!
Pretty happy with how it looks and performs haven't had one issue so far, but will be placing more permanent materials later. I'm not a huge number crunching guy unless it relates to speaker building. But I may try to run some numbers later... Just doing a basic tank drain/Fill up then calculate the MPGs. I've changed my driving habits a little bit, but i still mostly go the limits or near them, I've been coasting more and I'm already nice to the "GO" and "Oh Sh$%" pedals enough
By this time, Ive got 205mi on the trip meter, with I'd guess around a gallon or so more than 1/2 tank an improvement already!
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04-11-2012, 10:51 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Nice job, looks clean. Keep an eye on temp for the first few hundred miles after cutting off that much airflow to the radiator. Remember that the AC needs cool air to function properly too.
The Auto in the Fiesta is probably superior to the manual for FE because of superior ratios but it still has a clutch and the direct drive advantage.
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3.788 Civic CX final drive, air dam, 1st gen HCH 14" wheels and Michelin Defender 175/65R14 LRR tires
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04-11-2012, 11:09 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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I rarely operate the A/C, hence the full blocker... and i made it specifically with that middle piece in the blocker(under the lisence plate) to take off, if i do use it, or if it gets any hotter. Mild temps here KC area lately no higher than 80's so far.
left the upper grill open for sure... BUT that ugly body gap from the hood and top grill will be filled soon.
Yeah, I love the Trans, but I do wish I had a "Shift tronic" type selection. With that, it doesn't coast very well, even downhill, because it keeps Tq to the wheels at all time...(Constant match of Engine speed to wheel speed) ...I'd LOVE to disangage that feature, im not off-roading with it, or rock climbing. Don't need constant power to the wheels.
Also, I dont shift it out of Drive-Neutral-Drive again (At Speed) cause im unsure of how the clutch system or gear selecting works. I only do it when im going to come to a full stop. I'm under warranty, I just don't wanna take the chance. Clarification on the drive system would be nice. >.<
Last edited by RiderofBikes; 04-11-2012 at 11:21 PM..
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04-12-2012, 05:43 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Drive less save more
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Wow, great thing you did there, the car was screaming, begging, pleading for that mod to happen. I just know it will give good results. You can see it. Great improvement.
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04-12-2012, 12:31 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Thank you! yes definite improvement.
Now, if only...
Ford would release a diesel for the U.S. *hinthint* id be on that boat in an instant
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Hawk: "Nice job, looks clean. Keep an eye on temp for the first few hundred miles after cutting off that much airflow to the radiator. Remember that the AC needs cool air to function properly too."
Hawk, thanks for the tip about the A/c. Turned it on yesterday to test, and my Rad fan kicked on and stayed on once it had some load. Removed that center cover then Rad fan only came on when needed! Don't have a temp gauge, but my best guess is that im right at the limit with the cover on to operate normally since i dont hammer the car around. You may have saved me a headache later down the road
Last edited by RiderofBikes; 04-12-2012 at 12:41 PM..
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04-12-2012, 12:40 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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No temp gauge: get a ScanGauge or equivalent. Built-in digital gauges make it way more functional than just an MPG-meter (though that part will help a lot and pay for itself as well). The SG also saves your highest coolant temp value for the current trip - useful.
Oh, and congrats on having the cojones to aeromod a new vehicle!! I think it looks great.
Interesting comments from the peanut gallery yet?
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04-12-2012, 01:43 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
Oh, and congrats on having the cojones to aeromod a new vehicle!! I think it looks great.
Interesting comments from the peanut gallery yet?
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Ha, other than it being called a ...Prius! None more than that.
I think it looks awesome! if i don't say so myself.
Oh, its still a car regardless how new it is... started drawing all over it a few weeks after i got it. Came up with the idea at work Its just a big ol' Dry Erase board to me. Even found some sweet neon colors too!
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04-13-2012, 01:48 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Somehow I missed the PM you sent me. That looks friggen awesome!!! Can you post some close ups of the skirts? Did you have to curve them out or is it a flat panel? I have the SES with the 16" wheels and wider tires, form holding a straight edge across the body it looks like I would need a curve. I also have the problem of matching the Lime Squeeze paint.
As MetroMPG said, get a gauge. You can get a ScanGauge at a discount from the link on the homepage of this site. You can get an Ultra Gauge cheaper. Cheaper yet would be using your smart phone with the Torque App and a bluetooth dongle.
If you decide on the Ultra Gauge, the best place to mount it is on the little triangle window on the drivers side.
Anyway, You ROCK!!! If you are not already on Fiesta Faction: The Ford Fiesta Enthusiast Community Forum please start an account and post up your pictures in the Eco Fiesta Driver section.
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04-13-2012, 03:55 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FXSTi
Did you have to curve them out or is it a flat panel? I have the SES with the 16" wheels and wider tires, form holding a straight edge across the body it looks like I would need a curve.
As MetroMPG said, get a gauge.
Anyway, You ROCK!!!
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Yes a curve is required I wanted to extend them down more to flow with the bottom body line. Impossible from the material size I was able to get(couldnt find a nice 4x8 sheet of coroplast) had to rotate the pieces I had and line them up corner to corner to fill that span and cut off what couldnt be used. I used some metal support stripping behind it and sorta stapled it through so it wouldnt flop around and rub on the tire. but the thing is solid! and doesnt deflct at speed.
I'll see about taking a picture from the inside of the panel
No smart phone here...
I'll be getting a gauge within the next couple months if funds are willing.
I'll be sure and register with the site you mentioned!!
Of course, I'd love to see what you were able to do with yours!
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04-13-2012, 06:53 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Fiesta
The men in black will soon be purchasing the house across the street from you,just to keep an eye on things.
Nice car,nice project!Thanks.
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