Mods and resale value

[bikeracer]

I have a question for all the modders interested in improving their drag coefficient while not permanently altering the car in obvious ways. I understand that for the big important things like a boat tail, one needs to get their hands dirty and do some cutting, but as a starting point, I'm interested in doing a few things that would be able to be undone.

I also will say that I haven't read or made myself aware of everything (or most of what's) on this fantastic website. If this thread already exists, can someone point me towards it?

A more specific question to start:

Are there pre-made parts like wheel skirts or kambacks available from companies who've spent time getting an optimized and slick product?

Patrick

[drewwitlin@hotmail.com]

I've been doing a lot of searches for the same type of components you mentioned, so far, zero. Aftermarket parts are a big market, not sure why eco-aftermarket hasn't taken off.

[cfg83]

bikeracer -

Welcome to EM! I have a rule that my mod be at least 95% reversible, which allows for little holes here and there (but not where you'd easily see them). It's not that my car is worth anything, it's just that I want to be able to reverse a mod I don't like.

There are not too many kits out there. There are aero wheel skirt kits for the Prius :

Toyota Prius - Wheel Skirts - Toyota Prius Wheel Skirts by Hybrid Effects 1 pair (Shipping Included)

There are also undertrays for sports cars like the S2000 :

Honda S2000 Diffuser Front Undertray Photo

Undertray stuff also exists for other import tuner cars like the Evo :

Voltex Front Under Tray Mitsubishi EVO VII VIII IX 01-07

The bottom line is not much.

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

bikeracer -

PS - Don't forget to look for Bondo's full size truck aerolid :

Home - Aerolid.

CarloSW2

[SVOboy]

I see you actually posted.

Anyway, as I didn't mention yesterday, there really isn't any commercial aftermarket right now, but I bet you if we did your rear skirts in FG and made a mold we could probably sell a few units ourselves.

There are smaller things to take on though, you can poke through here if you want an idea: 65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com

Furthermore, there are ways to do cutting without cutting the body. Perhaps we could buy a used hatch that has some sort of damage, basically get it, and use the frame to begin our points for welding on the boattail, then just bolt that directly to the car as you would a stock hatch. We could probably make the top bit out of some sort of tearaway, but stiff material so you could go so far as to actually pop the hatch.

For those of you that don't know, Patrick is a friend of mine from the dartmouth cycling team, and quite an interesting fellow, so hopefully he and I can do some fun work on his car this year.

[JasonG]

A belly pan wouldnt be noticed by most buyers.
SWMBO insists her car look good and be reversible as CFG83 stated.
My truck I intend to run till it falls apart.
On the other hand, I'd buy Basjoos' civic in a moment if I was looking for a car. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
If fuel prices go up again, your mods may up the value if left ON.

[bikeracer]

Fantastic idea on the banged-up hatch. Let's do it, and soon—before academic demands get out of hand and we need to weld with gloves on (winter gloves).

!

[SVOboy]

Also, this is an idea you can think about: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...per-10116.html

We could do this to your bumper or a spare and swap it on. I've done something like this to my bumper but it's not as clean since I didn't have time to work on it. I haven't put up pictures yet.

But anyway, I've been scoping out what tools we have and I can probably bring up my welder after thanksgiving anyway, so I think we're good as far as equipment goes. I don't have a sawzall but I know where there are some angle grinders we can use for cutting up the hatch.

[bikeracer]

i have an angle grinder and other useful power tools (heat gun in particular). what do we think about working in CAD and making things all careful-like?

[tmessenger]

Understand their could be liability issues selling parts that could blow off. I build bicycle frames on occasion and the standard joke to new builders that ask what is the first tool they should buy to get started in the business, the answer is insurance.