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-   -   Project: "Except Buses" (WRX front undertray) (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/project-except-buses-wrx-front-undertray-7222.html)

ncs 02-23-2009 02:20 PM

Project: "Except Buses" (WRX front undertray)
 
5 Attachment(s)
This project starts with the liberations of two street signs . . . . from a scrap yard. Turns out street signs get replaced fairly often and recycled. The result is cheap, large sheets of weatherproofed aluminum. Cost was about $37.

The goal was to make a skidplate/undertray. I used the factory undertray to locate the mounting holes. 3/4" square stock was cut to space the plate down far enough to line up with the bumper.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...9&d=1235415461

The wings are bolted to the main plate with 1/4" bolts. They are not very strong, so in the event of a collision, they'll probably shear off(a good thing). Also, bolting it together instead of welding took the 'ring' out of the plate.

About 3/4" of the leading edges has been hammer up at an angle for safety reasons.

I've only put about 35 miles on it so far. It does seem to be coasting further. No change in road or wind noise.

TomO 02-23-2009 02:44 PM

Very nice!

I wish I had access to the recycled street signs in MN.

MetroMPG 02-23-2009 03:46 PM

Cool.

I added one of your pics inline with your post. Hope you don't mind.

IheartGeos 03-04-2009 10:08 AM

Very nice!
 
That is a very nice looking mod! How hard do you suppose it will be to put it on / take it off for maintenance?

I have been thinking of what to build an underbelly pan out of for my Geo, I will have to see if I can get recycled signs here in Nebraska, they are very sturdy and light!

ncs 03-04-2009 01:42 PM

I used the five bolt holes used by the factory plastic undertray. Asside from the weight, it's just as easy to remove as the stock piece. I have found a problem though. If I drop something in the engine bay, it no longer falls out the bottom.

Coasting distance increased enough to screw up my stop light timing. Also, cruising load dropped a whole .01MPa.

Nden 03-04-2009 01:50 PM

sweet! do they carry them sheets at HomeCHeapo or Slowes ?

JV-Tuga 03-04-2009 09:06 PM

since it doesn't go from front to back how significant is the difference, if any?

ncs 12-15-2010 09:44 PM

Round Two
 
Turns out there are some factor undertray aero parts for the sti of the same year, so I picked up the middle ones.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...DSC_0172-1.jpg

They are much bigger than they look sitting under the car.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC_0174.jpg

The cover the area between the sideskirt to just inside the main frame rails. The body tapers downward toward the back. These plastic parts fill it in making it parallel with the ground.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC_0176.jpg

After drilling way too many holes and laying down some spraypaint to prevent rust, this is what I ended up with.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC_0179.jpg

Here's a factory pic for reference

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...2006stibt5.jpg

And some subaru undertray pron for fun.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1004.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1005.jpg

Haven't checked yet, but I think my exhaust is hanging too low to bridge the center with a flat sheet of aluminum. That'll probably be a summer project anyway.

Overall, I got longer coasting distances out of these panels, and about +1mpg at highway speed.

naturefreak 06-03-2011 10:27 AM

This is a great idea. I actually happen to have a bunch of old street signs out in the garage, and it looks like I will be putting them to good use. This looks like it would be a very simple way to maximize my gas mileage, and I already have everything I need to do it. Thanks for sharing this.
Indianapolis car loan

chris_kraft3 06-11-2011 01:47 AM

I appreciate your photos. They look very good, both cars. I am now more excited to get going with this project myself.

I like seeing guys with faster cars trying to aero mod for a cause.

d0sitmatr 06-11-2011 10:21 AM

there should be a full belly pan assembly available for your car, look into rallye mods.

but I agree, looks very nicely done, I always appreciate a nice clean job that also serves its function :)

apexwagon 03-17-2012 04:19 AM

Facebook posts have allowed me to begin this mod. Free signs! I sold my civic vx (50mpg) to a friend that needed a car and now have the suby to obsessively hypermile/eco-mod. Even though I'm pushing Sti power in the wagon, I'm still improving mpg :)

viio 03-22-2012 07:53 AM

That thing looks awesome, I wouldn't mind one of those aluminium centre trays for my STI!


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