Win $100.00 in Free Gas! Design Contest: Ecomod my Ride - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

XFi · 12-08-2007, 05:32 PM

Win $100.00 in FREE Gas! Help Design my Spring Project Car…

A 1997 Ford Escort Wagon with a stock 2.0L Split Port Induction engine and Manual transaxle was purchased with the express intent to showcase/implement numerous fuel saving modifications. The goal of the project is to effectively DOUBLE the EPA fuel economy ratings.

Please take a few minutes of your time (or a few hours) and help design this MPG vehicle that will incorporate as many viable modifications that can be utilized in this ‘real world’ and ‘real budget’ venture.

Contest --->>>
An incentive of $100.00 will be offered to the ‘best’ submission.

-also-

Free EcoModder sticker/decals will be awarded/mailed out randomly (after they have been printed/obtained) to numerous contributors to this thread.

You must be a member of EcoModder.com to submit. If you are not a member, take a minute to join…it’s easy and free, then you can post in the forums/threads (including this one). Submissions must be posted in this thread.

Submission will be judged on numerous factors including how comprehensive/complete the design/plan is thought out (engine, trans, rolling resistance, aero, paint etc.). Pictures/Drawings are not necessary, but recommended. The longer and more complete the list of modifications the better. ‘Best’ submission will be judged by Xfi and any moderators of EcoModder.com that have not officially submitted a design.

Also, please start your submission by naming the ‘UnNamed Wagon’. Then follow with any and all information/pics/drawings/ideas that you desire. If submitting a ‘paint job’ with your pics/drawings please include ‘EcoModder.com’ at least once with the design.

Submission must be based on a 1997 Ford Escort Wagon 2.0SPI 4cyl Gasoline Engine with a Manual Transaxle. Any other modification/improvements are at your discretion.

The contest will run through February 29, 2008. This will give time for more members/viewers to submit their design information.

By submitting a design, you agree that all ideas submitted are public knowledge/info and can be used my any and all members/viewers of EcoModder.com.

This contest supersedes any and all previous contests. I reserve the right to change any and all rules pertaining to the contest without notice.

There will be no minimum number of submissions. Someone will receive the $100.00 in FREE GAS even if there are only a few submissions.

$100.00 will be paid via PayPal or Gas Card (to agreed upon station) sent via USPS with delivery confirmation.

Thanks again for your interest and being a part of this EcoModder project. Have fun with it and submit your best ideas for the opportunity to win $100.00 plus an EcoModder.com decal/stickers to display on your Ecomodded vehicle!

Sample Design Started Below…
Feel free to start with this information and add to it!

The UnNamed Wagon
Submitted by Xfi
00/00/2007

1997 Ford Escort Wagon MPG Project
2.0 SPI 4cyl Gasoline Engine
Manual Transaxle

Engine:
-Factory 2.0 SPI Engine
-Headers & Free Flowing Exhaust
-50% Under Drive Crankshaft Pulley
-A/C Delete
-Power Steering Delete (Manual Rack Conversion)
-
-

Trans:
-2.88 Final Drive Transaxle from 80’s Pony Escort Model
-
-

Exterior:
-Undercarriage Tray/Paneling
-Side Mirrors Replaced with ‘Fold In’ Mirrors
-Grille Block
-Rear Door, Rear ¼ and Rear Hatch Glass replaced with Plexiglas for weight savings.
-

Interior:
-All Carpet and Sound Deadening Material Removed (weight savings).
-Interior Gutted…Everything behind driver’s seat removed (weight savings).
-
-

Suspension/Wheels:
-Front Lowering Springs
-Suspension Swap with Earlier Model?(reduce rotating mass/weight)
-
-

Other:
-Synthetic Fluids
-Hot Air Intake
-Solar Panel Mounted Flush on Roof for Additional Battery Charging
-
-
-

XFi · 12-08-2007, 05:37 PM

Here are some pics of an escort wagon that can be used for reference/modification for PhotoShop or Drawing purposes.

Here are some pics of the actual car...

Notice the lack of a roof rack

Who knows, a boat tail may even be in this car's future!

You decide!

Lazarus · 12-08-2007, 05:58 PM

1997 Ford Escort Wagon MPG Project
2.0 SPI 4cyl Gasoline Engine
Manual Transaxle

Engine:
-Factory 2.0 SPI Engine
-Headers & Free Flowing Exhaust
-50% Under Drive Crankshaft Pulley
-A/C Delete
-Power Steering Delete (Manual Rack Conversion)
-Injector kill switch
-Smaller pulse injectors(?)
-195 t-stat
-electric water pump

Trans:
-2.88 Final Drive Transaxle from 80’s Pony Escort Model
-
-

Exterior:
-Undercarriage Tray/Paneling
-Side Mirrors Replaced with ‘Fold In’ Mirrors
-Grille Block
-Rear Door, Rear ¼ and Rear Hatch Glass replaced with Plexiglas for weight savings.
-Side skirts
-Wheel skirts front and back
-shaved door handles or covered
-Boat tail or VG
-Wiper removal or modify to hide below the air stream

-If possible re slope the windshield to reduce drag.
Interior:
-All Carpet and Sound Deadening Material Removed (weight savings).
-Interior Gutted…Everything behind driver’s seat removed (weight savings).
-Move the battery to the back to get it out of the heat in the engine compartment.
-

Suspension/Wheels:
-Front Lowering Springs
-Suspension Swap with Earlier Model?(reduce rotating mass/weight)
-skinny LRR tires
-

Other:
-Synthetic Fluids
-Hot Air Intake
-Solar Panel Mounted Flush on Roof for Additional Battery Charging
-
-

I don't want to enter but I'll throw ideas out there for free. If anybody wants to try and get great mileage I'm all for it. Good luck. How much money are you willing to spend? That will make a big difference.

XFi · 12-08-2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus

...How much money are you willing to spend? That will make a big difference.

I'm open to hearing any and all ideas and not afraid of extreme modifications, but try to keep in mind the discretionary income level of a working/family man.

This car has already been purchased and is just waiting for your modification ideas!

MetroMPG · 12-09-2007, 12:24 AM

XFi: Do you have a Sawzall, and can you weld?

XFi · 12-09-2007, 05:10 AM

Have Sawzall in hand and (as I was recently telling Ben) I have been looking for an excuse to buy a welder and learn

TomO · 12-09-2007, 01:31 PM

Name submission= The Savin' Wagon

Mods (real world):
Engine:

Warm air intake
Port matching
De-carbonizing treatment
synthetic oil
Tube header with anti-reverb steps and low restriction exhaust system (basically replace the muffler)
Water injection
PCV catch can (home made of course)
Delete A/C and remove ALL components
Remove all unnecessary brackets/braces from the engine bay (good weight savings)

Trans:

Taller final drive ratio
Synthetic trans fluid
Fresh bearings if need be

Body:

Small boat tail
Remove factory roof rack (if not removed already)
Replace side mirrors with smaller/more aerodynamic ones
Coroplast/Rain gutter side skirts
Flush mounted grill block
Get those nice smooth looking headlights (if they aren't already on there)
Fill seams with caulking
Make a small cowl for windshield wipers or remove windshield wipers if allowed by law
Front air dam or under pan
Rear wheel skirts
Front wheel skirts using basjoos's design
Recess or remove the outer door handles

Suspension:

Lower the vehicle by either getting Escort lowering springs or cutting OEM ones
Install sway bars or larger sway bars (to allow for faster cornering speed)
Replace wheel bearings and inject with synthetic grease for LRR

Wheels:

If 13" wheels fit: 155/80/13 LRR tires all around otherwise 155/80/14
Smooth hubcaps made out of the racing hubcaps or Coroplast or pizza pans
Aluminum rims if you can find some lightweight smooth designs

Interior:

Remove all unnecessary seats/panels/speakers/radio
Remove sound deadening
Remove spare tire/jack/tools replace with a fix-a-flat can or two
Tint your windows to the darkest legal limit if you live in a hot climate

Electronics:

ScanGauge II
EFIE thing or whatever their called to modify the O2 signal

Driver Mods:

Tweak your driving habits or course
=

I'll get working on a photochop to display some of the exterior mods and post it up in a day or two.
Edit:

Just for fun:

XFi · 12-09-2007, 03:03 PM

Sweet, Great Job TomO...Looking forward to seeing the 'photochop' pics!

Just an additional note: If you have a good idea or two, but don't want to take the time to formulate/organize a complete submission, PLEASE post the idea(s)...it may be good for a free 'Ecomodder.com' Decal/Sticker for your ride!