Writer seeking examples of tested DIY aero mods for book

[MetroMPG]

Glad to hear the book's coming along nicely.

2. Grille block, preferably one that is removable if conditions require that.

Just mailed you some high res pics of the easily removed blocks I made for my Insight:

[JulianEdgar]

Thanks Darin. I've used one of your pics.

[JulianEdgar]

OK, now have undertray and grille block pics. Still after added separation edges, especially on a sedan (three box) vehicle.

[BLSTIC]

I have a story (the pics are bad and don't show detail) of a Suzuki Mighty Boy that was overheating after an engine swap and a bodykit.

I'll have to find my notes but I think the pressure drop across the radiator at 80 km/h went from 0.15 to 0.25 inches of water. Went from overheating constantly at low speeds to thermofans only operating when stopped for over a minute (*really* small water capacity in a 550cc three-pot). It also dropped coolant temps at 80 by 5 degrees C

That was via sealing the lower intake to the radiator area and mostly blocking off the other side of the engine bay (it had one of those half-radiators, so I covered most of the gap). It was crudely done with Coroplast. I can find the photos and notes if you wish.

I have an instructable on prototyping undertrays http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...-for-your-car/ that you are free to use, although your own work is superior.

[BLSTIC]

Also I have an unfinished coroplast velomobile that I intended to do tufting on when I finish the body. Is that of interest?

[JulianEdgar]

Thank you, but the chapter on improving flow through heat exchangers is completed, and I am not covering HPVs.

[BLSTIC]

All good then. By the way, what's to become of Autospeed? I saw there was a blog post up for a single day a short time after the last issue, but don't recall what it said. Do you intend it to stay up indefinitely, hopefully paid for by ad revenue? Or should I download everything to my own archive before it gets lost?

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by BLSTIC

All good then. By the way, what's to become of Autospeed? I saw there was a blog post up for a single day a short time after the last issue, but don't recall what it said. Do you intend it to stay up indefinitely, hopefully paid for by ad revenue? Or should I download everything to my own archive before it gets lost?

My arrangement with the owners of AutoSpeed (Web Publications) finished some time ago - quite amicably, I must add - so I am not involved with the site now. I'd imagine they will leave it up while they get more ad revenue than it costs to host, but just like pretty well any website, I'd never assume it's going to be up there forever.

[BLSTIC]

Ok I'll copy it all myself then. Having copies of your experiments has been useful for my own reference already and I'd hate to look one day and find it all gone. I also intend to go through many of the topics in video format on a (yet to be created) youtube channel, so it would be to my detriment if I didn't try and archive it.

[JulianEdgar]

I have been getting really interesting feedback from the professional car aerodynamicists I've approached - they've all been happy to be involved and read and comment on draft chapters. I've actually been amazed how generous they have been with their time.

So...this is basically the last chance for inclusion in book - I need to start final numbering of figures, etc.

I currently have featured from here (and you'll know if I am mentioning your vehicle):

- extended tail on Insight
- Insight grille block
- extended tail on Toyota T-100 truck
- undertray (belly pan) on Toyota T-100 truck
- Prius trailer
- sloping topper on GMC Canyon truck
- multiple mods on Micra
- multiple mods on Audi A2

Happy to feature further mods done by people themselves that reduce drag or lift, provided there's some evidence of a positive outcome.

(As described earlier, please send pic of mod to julianedgar1 [at] g.mail.com in the first instance and then I'll get back to you.)

(PS Philip - haven't heard from you re my last email. Still want you in the book.)