The White Xb mods and stuff
 

Ok...well I am not new to the MPG game but, I have been lazy in recent months. The 27.6 mpg on my past tank (my worst to date) must have been a wake up call (was getting an inspection so I bet the Mechanic was ideling my car for an hour or something). Anyways I am planning on doing a few mods but, I want to keep everything as subtle and stock looking as possible.

Background info: I work for a plastics company so getting scrap acrylic. abs, styrene is fairly easy.

1) Installed LRR tires on 3/3/14 and pumped them to 44psi

2) Installing upper grill block tomorrow --- black ABS and will be tastefully done :) I will post some pictures

3) Once it warms up I am planning on installing a lower front air dam out of a big piece of white plastic (to match my paint)

4) Want to install smooth wheel covers. Thinking about going the Pizza pan route. Either in Silver, White, or black.

Subscribed.

That's sure true -- you're one of EM's first members. :P

I have a feeling a lot of members in winter climates had "worst tanks" lately. I sure qualify: coldest winter in 20 years where I live!

Looking forward to the mods.

27 on the 05? I had an 09 and got 27 best, 18 worse.

Cant wait. :thumbup:

It was a combination of cold weather, a snowstorm, and running around for inspection.

Anyways, well I did get to the grill block today and it turned out alright...pretty stock-ish.

Free bolts I got from work (will be using these ones on the smooth wheel covers too)
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps01ea6b3f.jpg
Using the fog light hole to bolt the grill block ended up being a silly idea. Most were bolted up through the bottom
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps374356e4.jpg
DONE! You can clearly see the block on the top and the open grill on the bottom.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...psffa4c14d.jpg

Looks good. You can easily get away with blocking some of that lower as well. Easy peasy.

@Metrompg Yeah I was wondering about it. Maybe a 50% block. I have had problems in the past with things getting too hot in traffic (when temps were in the 40s). But the xb is a smaller engine then the Saturn was...probably a bigger grill too.

Edit: I think I was running a full grill block + hot air intake at the time. Probably a bit much.

My gen 2 xb always smelled like something was burning under the hood and radiator fluid. I suspected it was the front facing header pipe and all the heat it radiated to the surrounding materials under the hood. I did a partial block and tried removing the vacuum hose they used for a snorkle, but neither helped me.

A few things

-installed a new air filter...The old one was used for at least 25,000mi and fairly dirty.

-Was able to find racing disks on ebay for $71 shipped...Here:Set of 4 New 15" Stainless Steel Hubcaps Hub Caps Racing Disks Free Shipping | eBay
Semi tempted to buy them. My current hubcaps are pretty dirty anyways. Just not sure how the silver will look with my car. Guess I could paint them.

EDIT: Found a picture online of a white xb with them! They look good! Going to buy a pair
http://tijil.org/xB15.jpg


-also was looking into lowering springs...The rear springs are super easy to change but, a 1.5" drop will never pay for itself in fuel economy savings.

Old school drop! Cut-off wheel to remove a coil from each spring (assuming they're symmetrical).

(I accept and expect that I will be flamed for bringing up this tried & true Suzukiclone lowering method.)