Project: AeroTank

[Nevyn]

Originally Posted by svt98t

So I'm 25% there. Once the block swap is complete, I'll be easily over half way. Then the nit-picking begins.

-ryan s.

How much do you think each nit weighs?

[svt98t]

Depends on if it's a metric or standard nit.

-ryan s.

[svt98t]

As I was finishing up the wiring for my electric fan this week, I finally, permanently removed the kick panel under the steering column. It's to the left in the pic.
4.8 lbs reduction.

Since I'm in the process of repainting the car, I decided that the molding on the doors needed to go. Weight reduction time! I dropped 11.6 lbs just removing them!
So, total for the week, is 16.4 lbs.

Total weight reduced to date: 92.0 lbs
It looks like getting to my goal of dropping 300 lbs is going to be attainable!

[Sporty Modder]

Isn't the old saying,
You don't need to loose 100lbs, just need to find 100 places to loose 1lb.

[svt98t]

Exactly! This is fun! I'm constantly finding small things here and there to remove and/or replace.

-ryan s.

[svt98t]

FINALLY!!!!!!!
Installed my 3 gauge A-Pillar cluster. I need to wrap up the wiring tonight. But I finally installed it. I made a wire loom because between the three gauges, there are 4 common wires (ground, 12v hot, 12v ign, illumination); I tied them together, respectively.
I soldered in the wire for the tach signal. So that's good to go. I just need a new oil pressure switch that's compatable with a gauge (instead of a dummy light).
I've only driven the car to work (5.5mi), but man that vacuum gauge is fun!
Pics.




At the end of next week will be the first road trip I'll take with the Tank since joining EcoModder. Really looking forward to the results. I'm heading to one of my other forums (GrandMarq.NET) annual meet. I'll post up the 1/4 times and the dyno results of what the Tank does.

[svt98t]

While swapping the oil pressure switch for a sensor, I broke the housing for the switch. I just so happened to have a spare oil filter adapter with external oil cooler* hanging around. And powder coated in lime green, might I add.
*I did add a few pounds for the oil cooler and added material of the oil filter adapter. But I didn't weigh them due to time constraints of fixing the car.
Broken bit:


Fixed:


And oil cooler:


All the gauges illuminate quite well. I need to add a resistor or two, because it's ridiculously bright at night. I also added an interrupt switch just for the three gauges on the A-Pillar so I can turn them off at night.
Mainly, because I was trying to back into my parking spot at night (between the garage and a 6ft stock fence) and couldn't see out my side mirror.

LEDs in the front parking lights:


And the side parking lights in the rear.
The difference between incandescent bulbs:


And 13 diode LEDs:


The front of engine belly pan goes on tonight.

-ryan s.

[svt98t]

Finished installing the front of engine belly pan. There was a gap between the rear of the pan and the cross-member, so I filled the gap with some scrap metal.
Anyways, this belly pan comes stock on 94-97 Crown Vics and some Grand Marquis and Town Cars. I'm not really sure which exact models had it, but it's the first one I've seen in the JL for a while, and it came of a 96 Crown Vic.
It's made of thick plastic, and it went on quite well. Looking forward to the next few fill-ups for results. Even though I'm sure the results would be better on the highway.

Pics:


It has 2 louvers to pull heat away from the radiator:


Front view:


And on the ground:


-ryan s.

[svt98t]

Gauges are working great!! The vacuum gauge is the bomb! I haven't filled up the tank in over 2 weeks. Which is good because the mods and hypermiling are working.
I made some templates for future belly pan mods. Made one template for the lower grille, and one for each of the wheel wells forwards of the front wheels. In due time, they will be made from aluminum. The lower grille unit will have nut plates behind it so I can remove it of necessary. Or if winter happens.
Speaking of winter,
I want to lower the Tank. I want to go 1.5" all around. Here is the issue in the summer:





That steel piece is a six inch ruler. So that will drop a bit. Along with the front of the car. I run bigger wheels in the winter due to the insane amount of snow we get, so I don't think lowering it will be too much of an issue.
Also, I was thinking of installing this Mustang Mach 1 chin spoiler as opposed to the garden edging.
What say ye?
I was also contemplating inverting it, so that it would slope down to the rear, instead of sloping forwards.
NOT MY CAR:


And they are pretty cheap. $60 at American Muscle. Also comes with hardware. (Just incase anyone else was willing to try and retrofit one onto their EcoRides.)
Ford Mustang Mach 1 Chin Spoiler at AmericanMuscle.com - Free shipping! KIT

-ryan s.

[Sporty Modder]

Cool mod, how wide and deep is it?