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| Technical Technical discussion on HW and SW mods with the intent of increasing performance and/or fuel economy. |
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Civic aero mods - grill block and wheel covers
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02-09-2009, 01:39 PM
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Beat The System
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Vehicles: 2009 Fit, 2004 Odyssey, 96 Civic retired
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 12,781
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Civic aero mods - grill block and wheel covers
Mod 1
A new upper grill block, made out of plexi glass. The old one was pieces of foam mat stuffed into the cracks. It blocked airflow, but wasn't smooth or aerodynamic on the outside. Since this grill is near the top and angled up, smoothing the airflow makes sense.
Before - see the upper grille. The lower is unchanged.
After. It's attached with "utility wire" looped and twisted through holes and through the factory grill. 3 attachment points - 2 top corners and 1 bottom center.
Side view to show the smooth surface
Mod 2
Smooth wheel covers made from coroplast - cleaned up some campaign signs back in November. (mccain-palin for the best aerodynamic benefit  ) The new ones are flush with the bulge in the sidewall, compared to the old ones that stuck out a good inch in the center.
Before - nice air-churning 5-spoke hubcaps
 
After:
3 pieces of wire looped through the holes in the steel wheel and twisted together to hold it on. Also, a hole for access to the valve stem - if I can't get to it easily, I know I'll neglect the air pressure.
The new look, completed.
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Andrew
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100 mpg commute / 90.2 mpg tank = 1191 miles
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02-09-2009, 01:45 PM
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Mid TN Hypermiler!
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Join Date: May 2008
Vehicles: 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage, 2001 Hyundai Elantra
Location: Smyrna, TN
Posts: 211
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
Looks good...I hadn't thought about using wire looped front to back to attach these mods. Having any trouble overheating?? I did just lower grill and so far, no problems. Guess I'll try the wheels next...thanks for sharing!
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02-09-2009, 01:48 PM
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Beat The System
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Vehicles: 2009 Fit, 2004 Odyssey, 96 Civic retired
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 12,781
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
It was already fully blocked. This makes it more aerodynamic. In the heat of summer, I can pull out 1/4 or 1/2 of the lower block and keep things cool. This is a very cool-running engine, and the lower opening is HUGE. The radiator only covers 1/2 of the grill opening. Unless I'm using the AC (never!), I can leave the other side fully covered at all times.
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Andrew
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100 mpg commute / 90.2 mpg tank = 1191 miles
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02-09-2009, 02:06 PM
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Penguin of Notagascar
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Vehicles: '12 LEAF SL, '02 Insight 5spd MT
Location: Coon Rapids, MN
Posts: 20,598
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
Nice work, Andrew! 
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- Sean
|  | <-- She got to drive an EV before I did!!  |
I'm a slow driver with a FASed car! 
New? Start here!
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02-09-2009, 02:26 PM
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Hypermiling Ironman
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Join Date: May 2007
Vehicles: 96 Ranger 5MT, 98 Ranger AT, 92 Ford Van AT
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,760
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
Nice work Andrew! I like the clear plexiglass... stealthy |
02-09-2009, 02:27 PM
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Sophomore Hypermiler
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Vehicles: 08 Yaris LB M5
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
Very nice! I have my grill block on with 12 gauge wire also for fairly easy on/off. Never thought about the wheel cover with it but thats the next project now. Great idea, thank you.
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Lifelong log
Winter Challenge
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02-09-2009, 03:19 PM
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Fighting untruth and misinformation
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Vehicles: 2010 Toyota Prius, 2009 Kawasaki C-14
Location: Kentucky near Cincinnati, OH
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
Very nice Andrew.
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Drivin slow in the FAS lane.
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02-09-2009, 05:52 PM
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Veteran
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Eagan, MN
Posts: 1,037
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
I have been thinking about improving my grill block. Nice to see how well it looks on your car, as I am thinking of Posabley doing Plexiglas also.
Thanks for sharing the nice photos!
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-Allen 
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02-09-2009, 07:53 PM
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Veteran
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
Looks slick!
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02-09-2009, 11:34 PM
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hanging member :)
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Vehicles: 1996 Honda Civic HX
Location: Southern Mn
Posts: 598
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Re: Aero mods - new grill block and wheel covers
 slick and well timed
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~ Rick
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