The White Xb mods and stuff

[igo]

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.

[UltArc]

Subscribed.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by igo

Ok...well I am not new to the MPG game

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

The 27.6 mpg on my past tank (my worst to date) must have been a wake up call

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.

[Cobb]

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

Cant wait.

[igo]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

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!

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)

Using the fog light hole to bolt the grill block ended up being a silly idea. Most were bolted up through the bottom

DONE! You can clearly see the block on the top and the open grill on the bottom.

[MetroMPG]

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

[igo]

@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.

[Cobb]

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.

[igo]

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



-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.

[MetroMPG]

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.)