OG's VX Build: HyperMile Driving with some JDM Styling

[Daox]

Great to hear the first trip went so well.

[OG VX]

Update 4/18/15: Paint on the Aero Pieces! (finally)

Hello all. I rode in to work each day this past week with the new rear-end aero setup. Even despite a week full of steady and mucky April showers, the new set-up posted a 55mpg average. I’m interested to see how it will do in some dryer and warmer temps. I'm also excited to get the grille/fog blocks back on. I've been too busy to put the coroplast versions back on while I completed the metal versions, and it's been tough on the mileage/drag without them.

The weather was kind today, so I woke up at 5:00am with the hopes of completing the final shape and sand work on all of the panels, and finally getting the panels painted. Things went well, but took longer than I had planned. Thankfully, I just barely got the panels in primer on today. Mainly, we got lots of family time, which is about 20 times more important than eco-mods.

My plan for tomorrow is to get up early again, sand down the primer, and put down some coats of Duplicolor Bumper Paint. I, then, hope to put on the tail light lexan covers, add some marine weather stripping to the backside of the panels, place the black rubber edging/trim on the panels. If time allows, I’ll install the setup for the work week. Sunday’s are busy with church and family time, so I’ll have to see how it all flows tomorrow.

Here’s some pics of today’s progress.

I grinded around the perimeter of each panel, as well as each screw hole. I then sanded with 80 and 120 grit orbital pads, then block sanded with 320 grit paper. The two biggest challenges I faced today were to create smooth perimeter lines, and making sure they were not jagged nor knife-edge sharp. It was tough work, and it took a lot of time and patience to get each edge safe/smooth.



I purchased some plant hanging hooks and a large pack of bungees at WalMart, and used that to hang all the panels up. Worked out great! I doubled-up the bungees for each side on the heavier panels. I highly recommend this method to anyone (so far).



Here's everything coated in primer. Used RustOLeum Filler Primer from WalMart. Great paint. Sorry tip though (sprays too narrow; love the Duplicolor tips, as they spray wide and even, and are much better in terms of finger fatigue).











I’ll be back with more progress soon.

Until next time, thank YOU for ecoTuning in!

[OG VX]

Update 4/23/2015: Rear-End Aero Completed; w/ TONS of Pictures

Hello all,
After putting the last coat of black paint on the panels late Tuesday, I burned the midnight oil last night and finished the rear end aero work assembly and installation on the VX. I’m excited with the outcome, and wanted to share the process, parts, and pictures.

The top coat used on the panels is VHT Roll Bar and Chassis Paint (Satin Black). I wasn’t pleased with how the Duplicolor Trim Black laid down (likely due to the rainy weather/humidity we had), so I resprayed iit with this VHT product instead.

Drying:



First, I ran some black Super Black gasket around the perimeter of the tail light covers, and riveted them into place



I then ran some rubber trim molding around the perimeter of the side panels





Here’s how I handled the corners:





Then, I found this stuff at Lowes. Man, what a GREAT product! Pricey, but worth it.







Here’s the weatherstripping installed:





Both panels done:



Then, I turned my attention towards cleaning up the third brake light wiring.

I painted the OEM dole light lense with Plasti-Dip. This was, essentially, done to hide it, since it is no longer in use.



Heat shrink and loom was then placed on the wiring extension to the new LED Dole light. I ran the wiring through the access panel just below the OEM light.









The LED third brake light I picked up was not marked as “waterproof”. So, I sealed up the access ports with the same black gasket maker I used for the tail covers. Not a beautiful fix, by any means, but hopefully it's an effective one.





I then used these SS flange bolts I picked up off of Ebay for about $8 bucks shipped, and used some stainless hose clamps and the SS steel allen-head and anodized washers to hold everything up nice and tidy against the Kammback:











Then, these came in from china. 13-board red LED T10 bulbs. Installed those.



Much better than before! (5 led board T10’s were not enough light)



The Kammback and under-diffuser then got the same posh treatment as the side panels.







OK, sorry to do this, but I’ve got to go back to work.

I’ll be back in a few hours with a post of the installed pics

Until then, thank YOU for EcoTuning In!

[Daox]

Looking great!

[OG VX]

Update #2 for 4/23/2015: Installed Pics of Completed Rear-End Aero Pieces

OK, I'm back with the "installed" pics. Let me know what you guys think.











































Results:
- Cadillac Quite
- Glass smooth at speed
- Excellent visibility
- Trip data from this morning: Guino states 59.9 mpg, in crowded rush hour traffic.

Not bad!

Up next : Finish Grill and Fog Blocks; Finish Wiper Deflector (re-vamping mounts). After a week, I’ll likely add some Milano red accents to the rear-end aero, as was originally planned. However, in the interim, I’m kinda liking this satin black. We’ll see...What do you guys think? Leave it black, or add some OEM Milano Red accents?

Until next update, thank YOU for EcoTuning In!

[Baltothewolf]

Hey OG, there is a company that makes an attachment for spray cans for spray painting things, that essentially turns the can into a spray gun. Trigger and all. It's extremely nice and convenient. I don't recall the company name, but I have one at home and will get it for you later on today. It's only like 7$.

Found it, tbh it's cheaply made, but I went through 6 cans and it till isn't broken. It should attach to any spray paint can. Don't delay. I know you have 7$.
https://www.dipyourcar.com/Spray-Trigger.html

[92civicvx]

Very proper aero!! Hopefully you'll see noticeable gains from it! Should paint your wheels black or put flat caps on them. Also get a pic of the rear diffuser! Looks insane front the top view.

[pgfpro]

Once again, very nice work!!!

[vrmouseyd15b]

That's Sexy!

[Chrysler kid]

I'm thinking paint the front wheels black to match the rear and black housing headlights and some dark tint would really bring everything together with a red and black theme