Valerie's Build Thread, the 2003 Civic that was and is to be.

[whatmaycome14]

I'm going to try to consolidate my previous mods as well as future plans and modifications into one thread for future easy reference.

Previous modifications (I'll get the linked photos fixed eventually. In the mean time you can find them in the Photobucket Album here: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mkii...deshow/Valerie )

Wheel Covers- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...0-a-27085.html

Front Grill- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tly-28966.html

Underbody Panels- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ody-29051.html

Rear fender skirts- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-up-27433.html

Front Air Dam- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...9-a-27167.html

Rear aero mods- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...upe-27835.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...elp-28085.html

Front nose- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post480625

As far as future plans, I intend to replace most everything I've already done to the car with a more "finished" look and quality. Most body work will be fiberglass unless I need an alternative compound and I hope to have the entire car finished in under 2yrs. With 2 kids and a 3rd due in feb., this may be a tough schedule to keep. We'll see.

Here are a number of photos from Google Sketchup that showcase my future intentions, they may be on a 1999 Civic instead of my 2003, but I think it gets the point across well enough.

[Daox]

Looks like a great plan. I look forward to seeing the fabrication.

[MetroMPG]

Subscribed!

[Frank Lee]

IMHO the schnozz is far more protruding than needed. It may also prove a hindrance for obstacle clearance and maybe parking. At the tail I would think the wake zone AREA as pictured is the same as stock but the quality of the aft flow should be better. IMHO "Kamming" it down to a smaller cross sectional area at the rear will bring greater gains. Otherwise lookin' good!

Don't do this:



Long schnozz, big butt, didn't seem to help.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

IMHO the schnozz is far more protruding than needed. It may also prove a hindrance for obstacle clearance and maybe parking. At the tail I would think the wake zone AREA as pictured is the same as stock but the quality of the aft flow should be better. IMHO "Kamming" it down to a smaller cross sectional area at the rear will bring greater gains. Otherwise lookin' good!

I agree about the nose, but the tail end can't be brought in on the sides any further unless she extends it.

What's pictured under the rear bumper has given me some ideas though.

[Frank Lee]

I am talking about the height of the tail where it's cut off.

[whatmaycome14]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

IMHO the schnozz is far more protruding than needed. It may also prove a hindrance for obstacle clearance and maybe parking.

I think it'll depend on the space needed to angle the radiator forward. We shall see. I've been trying to rack my brain with ways to modify the car without sacrificing a day of driving. I drive this car ALL THE TIME. If I could take it off the road, this would be a heck of a lot easier.

[whatmaycome14]

Latest modification:
Removed the drivers side mirror and replaced with a folding mirror.




Visibility rearward provided by a few blindspot mirrors.

It occurs to me that I'll have to change my methods at the point when I cover the rear window, but as I'm planning on starting on the front of the car working my way back, it should be ok for a little while anyway.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by whatmaycome14

I think it'll depend on the space needed to angle the radiator forward. We shall see. I've been trying to rack my brain with ways to modify the car without sacrificing a day of driving. I drive this car ALL THE TIME. If I could take it off the road, this would be a heck of a lot easier.

I'd also have concerns about that bottom feeder radiator intake. Under the car should be an area of low pressure, and I have a hard time seeing air flowing up into the radiator.

When this is done on other bottom feeders, the bottom of the nose is raised up a few inches and an air dam is placed below it, just aft of the inlet. My old 1994 Corvette was like that.

Funny thing, when I did a google search to find a pic of one of these Vettes' radiator inlet... the best pic I found was part of an Ecomodder thread:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...etup-3651.html

[whatmaycome14]

Originally Posted by darcane

I'd also have concerns about that bottom feeder radiator intake. Under the car should be an area of low pressure, and I have a hard time seeing air flowing up into the radiator.

When this is done on other bottom feeders, the bottom of the nose is raised up a few inches and an air dam is placed below it, just aft of the inlet. My old 1994 Corvette was like that.

Funny thing, when I did a google search to find a pic of one of these Vettes' radiator inlet... the best pic I found was part of an Ecomodder thread:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...etup-3651.html

Ah. I see. I'll redesign, and post updated photos.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. THIS is why I believe in community involvement on any project.