New car, new goals. 91 Ford festiva

[Pu241]

I don't know a lot about these Festivas, but you might consider side skirts mad from either coroplas or any other easily replaceable material. This in combination with an air dam should help a lot. The festiva sits rather high for a small car and drags a fair amount of air underneath it. Also check the back of the rear bumper, it essentially is a parachute.

BTW nice documentation and work!

[paintme205]

Originally Posted by Pu241

I don't know a lot about these Festivas, but you might consider side skirts mad from either coroplas or any other easily replaceable material. This in combination with an air dam should help a lot. The festiva sits rather high for a small car and drags a fair amount of air underneath it. Also check the back of the rear bumper, it essentially is a parachute.

BTW nice documentation and work!

A front air dam is on the list for sure. I thought about doing an underbelly tray but I'm not that motivated lately.

I'm hoping to build a 2-3 inch airdam to the lowest hanging part and then also doing wheel covers.

I have looked at doing side skirts but still trying to figure out how to mount them.

I also need to stop by a sign place and see if they will sell me some coroplast. Nobody sells it local besides them.

[Pu241]

Might want to check Walli mart for a foam core product. Its a high density foamed core (PP or PE) with smooth surfaces. It is actually stiffer than coroplas and might be easier to work with. Baring that, after local/regional/city elections a lot of coroplas is wasted in political advertising. In this cold weather you might want to consider making a lower grill block of plate. The opening below the front bumper.

[hcinciripini]

Subscribed!

[MetroMPG]

Your revised Kamm angle looks much better.

[cowmeat]

Did you ever do a lower grill block, or an air dam on the Festiva? I'm thinking about doing it and wanted to see what you used. What about the side skirts?
Planning on modding my 93 Festiva a little, but it has to be cheap, and I want to make sure I get the most bang for the tiny amount of bucks I'm willing to spend.
I'll have time in a couple of weeks, so I plan on dropping off some extra weight first (AC system, rear seat) and then maybe doing a couple of the easiest mods.

[paintme205]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

Did you ever do a lower grill block, or an air dam on the Festiva? I'm thinking about doing it and wanted to see what you used. What about the side skirts?
Planning on modding my 93 Festiva a little, but it has to be cheap, and I want to make sure I get the most bang for the tiny amount of bucks I'm willing to spend.
I'll have time in a couple of weeks, so I plan on dropping off some extra weight first (AC system, rear seat) and then maybe doing a couple of the easiest mods.

I did a lower grill block. I used sheet metal drilled directly into the bumper. I will need to drill a small hole for the radiator come summer but it works great so far. No overheating issues and helped my city MPG because it actually reaches operating temp on my short drives. I'll get pics up later.

I'm planning an air dam once I find materials. I'm trying to mostly use stuff I have laying around to keep with the cheap theme.

MetroMPG, Thanks man. I am much happier with the second rendition.

Pu241, Any idea where in walmart I would look for this stuff? Arts and crafts or school supplies maybe?

[bhazard]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Coincidentally, today I saw a Fiesta like yours trundling toward me on a snowy road and couldn't believe my eyes. I haven't seen one for ages.

A what?

:P

[MetroMPG]

Ooops. Yes.

Of course I meant Fiestiva! :P

[Pu241]

Originally Posted by paintme205

I did a lower grill block. I used sheet metal drilled directly into the bumper. I will need to drill a small hole for the radiator come summer but it works great so far. No overheating issues and helped my city MPG because it actually reaches operating temp on my short drives. I'll get pics up later.

I'm planning an air dam once I find materials. I'm trying to mostly use stuff I have laying around to keep with the cheap theme.

MetroMPG, Thanks man. I am much happier with the second rendition.

Pu241, Any idea where in walmart I would look for this stuff? Arts and crafts or school supplies maybe?

The school supply area for poster boards and the like.

Where does your temp gage sit when it is warmed up?
I found the connector to the temp sender on the head tends to get corroded and reduce the range and sensitivity of the gage. I cut the connector off and soldered the copper wire directly to the sensor. It now has full range and I you can see the temp drop or rise going down a substantial hill verse going up. The top grill block I run all year round (mine happens to be polycarbonate zip tied to the grill). And because there is a gap between the blockage and radiator, if the fan ever kicked on the it could still pull air through and remove heat from the radiator. I need to make a temporary lower grill block.