The Premier's Limo: 2004 Toyota Prius "winter beater" ecomodding thread

[Cd]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I missed the Volt, but do all houses in Canada look the same?

I was amazed at how narrow that the homes were in Toronto !
Almost as narrow as a mobile home....and you could reach out the window and touch your neighbor's house with a broomstick.

So about that Prius.... Black is a great looking color on that car. Especially with blacked out wheels and dark tint.

Darin - I'm thankful for all of the scientific research you have done with this car. Thank you for sharing.

If and when I buy a Prius like yours, I have a blueprint that is well tested and proven.

Thank you.

[MetroMPG]

You're welcome. It's a really fun car for an MPG nerd. If you find a decent one, I highly recommend it.

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I've been waiting for decent weather to do the A-B-A test.

Last Sunday was the best day, but had a family event, so no go. And it looks crappy right through next week based on the 7 day forecast.

[MetroMPG]

1) I passed a police cruiser sitting at the side of a fairly deserted country road this weekend. His head swivelled as I went by.

I was SURE he was going to come after me (so sure I even let off the gas momentarily to begin my long pull-over glide). But he didn't. I've driven by a number of cop cruisers in traffic too. Unimpeded. Nice to pass that test!

2) I've put about 650 km / 400 miles on the car since the tail went on.

Current tank = 3.6 L/100 km (65 mpg US) per the car's display, with mostly highway driving, on cruise most of the time at or near the 80 km/h limit (with some DWL worked in).

Previous tank was 4.2 L / 100 km (56 mpg US), also mostly highway driving.

"Apples to oranges," you say! "Probably," I agree!

No A-B-A testing weather in the near forecast. Looks like possibly next week though.

[MetroMPG]

I was going to do the undertray next, but I think I'm going to try this first:



It doesn't look like it, but there's 3.5" clearance (9 cm).

[redpoint5]

At least AB test that mod too, please. I can't see the airdam improving the car much, as it's already very smooth underneath.

[MetroMPG]

Yup, I'll ABA it. But I'm thinking of a coastdown comparison rather than trying for a MPG measurement.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I was going to do the undertray next, but I think I'm going to try this first:



It doesn't look like it, but there's 3.5" clearance (9 cm).

That looks strangely familiar...



Also 3.5" clearance. Since mine isn't easily removable, I'll look to your results to find out if it's doing anything beneficial.

[MetroMPG]

Rats... I was going to ask how yours was doing

[planetaire]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

...it doesn't look like it, but there's 3.5" clearance (9 cm).

My guess is that this will reduce cd, but because you don't have full underbody panel and the Prius 2 is not very smooth under. The worse place is the rear axle beam assembly.
But with full underbody panels I don't think this is good for cd. I have measured 13 cm clearance under my Prius (with 80kg battery inside but only 5kg gasoline so may be 14cm for your's). 9 cm is less. With full underbody panels, why not just air dam before the 2 wheels ?

What is the following test after the police one ?
Could it be the AB test with/without the boat tail ?
Please keep the crash test at the end

Will your cd be always over 0.20 ?

Thank's for your sharing.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by planetaire

What is the following test after the police one ?
Could it be the AB test with/without the boat tail ?

Yup. I'm waiting for some good weather, and then will test the tail.

I will also test the air dam separately.

Lastly I'd like to do full undertray, then AB test all mods at once to see what the package deal is good for.

Will your cd be always over 0.20 ?

Maybe we can try to figure it out from the test results.