Go Back   EcoModder Forum > Introductions
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 08-03-2008, 04:05 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Up North
Posts: 25
Thanks: 1
Thanked 15 Times in 6 Posts
Greetings, fellow aeronauts!

I read recently that about three percent of the automobile-buying population is interested in high-performance vehicles and a similar number is inclined towards high-mileage vehicles. Personally, I want both. My vehicle of choice is an '89 Honda Si with a JDM ZC motor and bolt-ons (headers, intake, underdrive pulleys, etc). Aside from being modestly lowered, it appears to be stock. My girlfriend lives about 300 miles from me and my families summer place is about 850 miles away. My goal is to create readily removable aero-mods that will allow me to beat ungodly mileage out of the car on long runs and yet have a low-key daily-driver. As it stands, it is very much a sleeper and far faster than it appears to be. I want it all.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 08-03-2008, 06:31 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,515

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 52.48 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,062
Thanked 6,959 Times in 3,603 Posts
Sounds like a plan! What's first on the list?

Welcome to the forum.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2008, 07:22 PM   #3 (permalink)
Hi-Tech Redneck
 
Johnny Mullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,436
Thanks: 6
Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts
Send a message via AIM to Johnny Mullet Send a message via MSN to Johnny Mullet
Removable aerodynamics sounds like fun!
__________________

GeoMetroforum.com - got mpg?
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2008, 07:45 PM   #4 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Up North
Posts: 25
Thanks: 1
Thanked 15 Times in 6 Posts
Thanks for the welcome, Metro MPG! My dream-goal would be to fashion a readily removable mask and bustle out of steam-bent wood and doped-fabric...old airplane tech, attached using modern race-car fasteners. I will have to research that methodology...the Winters are long. I used to own a Diesel Rabbit with an aftermarket fiberglass air-dam and a 4" nylon-backed rubber lip that was only a handful of inches from the pavement. I intend to fabricate a similar one from stuff I have seen at McMaster-Carr. I do not believe that side-skirts of the same material would be difficult to make either. A rear diffuser made from sheet metal would be fairly easy to make/attach (I have a good friend with metal-forming equipment). I am thinking about a wrap-around detachable air-dam with a reduced air intake. Back in the day, Ford Pintos had a louvered front grill that allowed plenty of air in while puttering yet allowed air to pass over at speed due to the angle of approach. If I can find any technical rationale for mounting Vortekz tabs, I will. I am researching a higher fifth gear and contemplating mounting 175/55x16 (Yokohama Advan Neova AD07) tires to reduce my frontal area (and provide a taller final drive ratio). Alas, despite being larger in diameter, they are damned pricy at $192/each. I will put a lip in front of the windshield wipers ala Basjoos. I have more ideas than time but will start slow.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2008, 10:02 PM   #5 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,515

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 52.48 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,062
Thanked 6,959 Times in 3,603 Posts
Lots of interesting ideas. The hard part is picking one and getting to work. At least for me...
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2008, 11:29 PM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Up North
Posts: 25
Thanks: 1
Thanked 15 Times in 6 Posts
Right you are MetroMPG. My tendancy is to just change one thing at a time...but Murphy usually shows up anyway.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Just A Reminder For You Aeronauts ... Bror Jace Aerodynamics 15 08-02-2008 07:46 PM
Hiya, fellow hypermilers! lumpy Introductions 4 07-16-2008 04:58 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com