My '97 Civic Mods

[vskid3]

Replaced the upper grille block with a full one made of coroplast last weekend. Didn't paint it because I didn't feel like it, so it looks terrible.


I mounted the new little mirror outside the car. I used plumbers tape (and my dad thought it wouldn't be sturdy enough ). I've tested it to about 40MPH, seems to hold up fine. I'll make a little air shield for it and maybe find a way to secure the mirror more securely than just the adhesive that it came with.



This is what it looks like from the driver's seat, or at least the same angle but a little closer.


This is the view from the passenger's seat. I like the way it looks so much that I decided to do the driver's side, too, but Autozone was out of the mirrors.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by vskid3

Replaced the upper grille block with a full one made of coroplast last weekend. Didn't paint it because I didn't feel like it, so it looks terrible.


I mounted the new little mirror outside the car. I used plumbers tape (and my dad thought it wouldn't be sturdy enough ). I've tested it to about 40MPH, seems to hold up fine. I'll make a little air shield for it and maybe find a way to secure the mirror more securely than just the adhesive that it came with.



This is what it looks like from the driver's seat, or at least the same angle but a little closer.


This is the view from the passenger's seat. I like the way it looks so much that I decided to do the driver's side, too, but Autozone was out of the mirrors.

The plumbers tape which holds the new mirror may have a higher drag than the mirror you've removed.Just sayin'

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by aerohead

The plumbers tape which holds the new mirror may have a higher drag than the mirror you've removed.Just sayin'

I agree. The stock mirror at least had a rounded edge for the oncoming air to work around, but the mirror you have now creates a blunt frontal area. Luckily your civic coupe doesn't have a gigantic blind spot as my del sol. I suggest using this instead.

Amazon.com: Razo RG21 10.6" Black Frame Wide Angle Convex Rear View Mirror - Pack of 1: Automotive

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by vskid3

Replaced the upper grille block with a full one made of coroplast last weekend. Didn't paint it because I didn't feel like it, so it looks terrible.

Paint that sucker black. It'll look like a Civic Type R front grill. jDm yO!

[aerohead]

Looking at the interior photo,I'm very concerned about the bolts projecting into the cabin.
In a multiple impact collision event,airbags may already be deflating by the time of a secondary 'event',allowing both driver and passenger to contact the fasteners.Head trauma would be certain!

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by vskid3

I mounted the new little mirror outside the car.

Errrr ... what's the point of the mirror ?

The idea is to remove the passenger side external mirror, and replace it with an internal mirror to cut down the drag generated by the mirror.

This contraption isn't going to reduce your car's drag.


Make sure the new triangular cover is very well sealed, or you'll get water leaking into the door.

[beer]

Nice to see other people improving the aerodynamics on a 96-00 civic.
I have a hatchback, and I also made a side mirror.
I kept the standard mounting plate for the mirror, I filled the gap with a gluegun with the screws in place so its removable and I can mount the oem one with ease.
Made also a aerodynamic cover.
Look at my topic, got some more pics if you need it.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ing-17354.html

[vskid3]

I ended up just putting the stock mirror back on for now.

I put the mirror on the outside because i couldn't get a few good view from inside (if I had had a helper to hold the mirror in different positions, it probably would have be easier). It looks big in the pictures, but the frontal area was at most 1/4 of the other mirror. I would have added a little cover in front of it to make it more aerodynamic.
The bolts were of little risk to passengers. The stuck out barely farther than the ones that hold the stock mirror, and the mirror adjuster stuck into the cabin far more. If someone's head came in contact with the bolts, they would probably already be dead.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by vskid3

I ended up just putting the stock mirror back on for now.

I put the mirror on the outside because i couldn't get a few good view from inside (if I had had a helper to hold the mirror in different positions, it probably would have be easier). It looks big in the pictures, but the frontal area was at most 1/4 of the other mirror. I would have added a little cover in front of it to make it more aerodynamic.
The bolts were of little risk to passengers. The stuck out barely farther than the ones that hold the stock mirror, and the mirror adjuster stuck into the cabin far more. If someone's head came in contact with the bolts, they would probably already be dead.

I have to agree with euromodder. This littler one won't help aero much. For the passenger side you really don't need the outboard mirror at all--either under law or for safe driving. Do like everyone did before these side mirrors became standard equipment sometime in the 1990s: look over your shoulder before you change lanes or back up. I'm guessing that makes you nervous. You could try to train yourself to it by covering the passenger side mirror on some drives.

Good luck.

[vskid3]

I prefer not having to look over my shoulder if I don't have to. I was playing around with the blindspot mirror after I removed it and found that one of those convex rearview mirrors would probably make me comfortable enough to completely do without the passenger side mirror.

I'll paint the upper grill block next weekend, I'll pull the whole bumper for kicks and to make it easier to mask.