Project: The Anal Probe

[Spdmini]

LOL @ Douche Horse. I like you IDGAF attitude!

[Sven7]

An IDGAF attitude is just one service I offer.

The belly pan structure was bent and sagging to I just say to H E double toothpicks with it and pulled the damn thing off. This came with it. From where? I don't even want to know, but the frame rails are very ugly.


Rust and the Pan by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

That meant I had to make a new air dam. You may remember that I made the wheel flares last August... well, they earned their keep but must go. You can see the aluminum reinforcing bar for the air dam being mocked up.


Pulled Apart by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

After basically redoing everything but the upper two grille blocks, it's on. I think it looks b*tchin'.

Total cost for the air dam: $8 lawn edging, $10 aluminum, recycled screws and a few cents worth of zip ties.


New Air Dam by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

It doesn't lower the stagnation point but it's very, very close. Note the new, (hella?)flush wheel well gap fillers.

The grille openings behind the air dam are still open so hopefully it will be able to pull more air when driving slowly. It's a low pressure, turbulent area so I'm not worried about that increasing drag much.


New Air Dam by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

I leave for the rally in a day and a half. It's time to rig up the hatch lock and change the oil (it's rainy today, ugh). Then, off we go.

[Sven7]

Compare that to the old air dam and you can see the new one's much farther forward- a big improvement since less air is being forced under the "dirty" underside of the car.


Anal Probe, Side by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

Leo Approved


Leo Approved! by Tyler Linner, on Flickr

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Sorry arcosine that I didn't get a chance to film it once more, but it didn't seem to be doing many favors. I'll try to get some tuft testing done before the snow flies.

I guess these new mods go to show that while you can go your own way with coroplast dams and TRD-inspired flares it all comes back to the tried and true. Thanks everyone for your inspiration, most recently HydroJim's flush wheel well gap fillers.

[arcosine]

The alien ionized deuterium beam when straight through and out the drivers door. Looks like the air dam is working for you, there much less fresh mud on the side of the car.

[Sven7]

Changed the oil to 5W-30 Valvoline Max Life with a Wix filter today.

In less than 12 hours I'm heading out on a 400 mile journey and likely a 1000+ mile weekend. Lake Superior Performance Rally

Wish me luck!

Taking bets on actual 60mph highway fuel mileage... what do you guys think?

[ps2fixer]

If your getting around 40 if your hyper mile, I'm going to guess 38 @ 60mph, basing numbers on my experience with my car, maybe 40 since there isn't a lot of stop and go.

Hopefully you prove me wrong and pull off 60mpg @ 60mph lol.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Taking bets on actual 60mph highway fuel mileage... what do you guys think?

45 mpg

[Tango Charlie]

I'm with ps2fixer on this one; 38mpg @ 60.

I like the strong chin line. Makes the car look...tougher.

[Weather Spotter]

Have fun! Both my parents went to Tech, and I have been to the area a few times. Nice country.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by ps2fixer

If your getting around 40 if your hyper mile, I'm going to guess 38 @ 60mph, basing numbers on my experience with my car, maybe 40 since there isn't a lot of stop and go.

You're closest! I got 41mpg doing 400 miles of 60mph today. Aside from somehow slipstreaming someone the whole way I can hardly imagine it getting much better.

The car got back safely tonight but with some battle scars. I damaged the air dam and rear belly pan structure while mild offroading the car on a remote logging trail. Lucky- another car in our group tore a hole in his gas line, one got stuck and the last had exhaust flange issues.

Pics tomorrow... and a video of the logging trail