Passenger mirror and seams - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

mcrews · 12-22-2009, 11:13 PM

SAnta is bringing me a scangage AND I thought SANTA might be early....
Instead I got my order of specialty tapes today.
I ordered GREY electician tape (not black)
I ordered Yellow duct tape (for underbody
I ordered grey gaffer tape. similar to blue painter tape used to seal seams and not hurt the car finish.
gaffer tape is theater tape just a little stronger that painter tape.
Since I had already done the grille, I thoght GEE test the gaffer tape tomorrow!!!!!
Passenger mirror: It folds in so I taped an aerodynamic form.
question, did I cut it off to sharp?
should i pull the tape back for a smooth line back to the door frame?
NOTE: This is a test for the trip Jan 21 to texas. I won't drive like this all the time.
not quite done

finished:

Seams and wippers:

Got all the seams taped.
I also taped the wipes smooth.
My concern on the wipers being covered is that I thing air is drawn from there for the car vetalation.......

Going uot to my 7 mile test at noon.

All of this is in preperation for my cross counrty drive to Dallas on Jan 21.

as always, thanks in advance!

cfg83 · 12-22-2009, 11:16 PM

mcrews -

Neato! It looks like you're prepping for an MPG race.

CarloSW2

mcrews · 12-22-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfg83

mcrews -

Neato! It looks like you're prepping for an MPG race.

CarloSW2

That is the IDEA !

Hey Ill be coming down I-5 and staying in LA area my first nite Friday Jan 22 2010. The next nite is Phx AZ and I'm doing the largest car show in AZ.
how many ecomodders could we get together on Friday nite??

what do ya think??

Christ · 12-23-2009, 02:41 AM

The ventilation intake probably is there in the wiper cowl. As long as you're not taping it tight to the windshield, it should be OK (if there's a gap).

I'd imagine there's a gap anyway, so your wipers can come out.

Christ · 12-23-2009, 02:55 AM

Or... it looks like you've taped it to the windshield. Not likely that you'll see rain/snow, eh?

Either way, just tape something about 1/2" thick to the windshield to keep the whatever you're using away from the windshield all the way around, and that should give you enough room for the ventilation. You'll likely lose the pressure feed that you normally would get, though.

(Where you feel air while you're just driving down the road, if you get that. Many people do.)

mcrews · 12-23-2009, 03:03 AM

This is my sample test just for tomorrow. I got a little carried away.... but if it starts to rain on the trip...all bets are off for Max MPG anyway, Idid pull over and pull off the tape.
But I need to concider the ventilation....I like your idea of something 1/2 inch.
I'm going to use the clear material up here too.

brucey · 12-23-2009, 03:19 AM

Why the overkill on the mirror? It looks aerodynamic if I had to guess, but it looks nearly the same frontal area size as driver side mirror.

Other than that, yeah. Looks like you're ready for a competition.

cfg83 · 12-23-2009, 04:22 AM

mcrews -

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrews

That is the IDEA !

Hey Ill be coming down I-5 and staying in LA area my first nite Friday Jan 22 2010. The next nite is Phx AZ and I'm doing the largest car show in AZ.
how many ecomodders could we get together on Friday nite??

what do ya think??

Start a thread in "Events and Meet-Ups". Say the general area you'd like to meet and see what people say. People will chime-in with good places to eat or just have a cup of coffee. LA is a *big* area, so people's availability will depend on how close they are to the meet up (traffic is evil out here).

CarloSW2

thatguitarguy · 12-23-2009, 05:23 AM

I had the same questions about the wipers and the mirror.

If you just took the wipers off, you might have the same effect, and if you keep them handy, it's just slipping the wiper back on and tightening the nut.

On the mirror, I'm wondering about all the excess material under the mirror? I would think that you'd want a boattail behind the mirror without all that stuff below it: