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Blocking off the front end????
Topic Started: Dec 7 2009, 11:02 PM (1,609 Views)
dept411
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Metro on the brain
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I am wanting to block off the front end to try and get better aerodynamics. What is the best stuff to use? My dad say foam covered in fiberglass. I was wondering how much air flow was needed to keep from over heating and if it actually works to improve mpg. I still haven't lowered it yet( to many irons in the fire). I have removed all the seats and spare for weight reduction. Stuck at around 45mpg and wanting better. I drive 55mph coming to work but at quitting time I go between 60-65. Can't seem to make myself slowdown. Thanks for any ideas.
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Coche Blanco
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Troll Certified

Coroplast.
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dept411
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Metro on the brain
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Thanks Coche Blanco. I'll goggle it. Have you done this type of improvement?
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dept411
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Metro on the brain
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Looks like I should be able to get this stuff from a sign company and in a color to match. Thanks. Should I add bracing behind to help support?
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

I would say 'depends' :dunno Coroplast depending on the thickness you get it in is pretty durable on its own. If your running it between two structures, such as over part of a grille opening and don't weaken it too much structurally, you would probably be fine bolting it in there.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Coroplast is a great idea Coche Blanco. I don't have a sign shop in town so I used garden separator material, 4" wide, 20' long black plastic. Made some aluminum "L" brackets and bolted it on the lower lip for an air dam.
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dept411
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Seems like a pretty simple fix "bed bent" but looks good. Thanks for the advice and the pic.
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Coche Blanco
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Mine is up there with black Gorilla Tape, so it's not permanent. Head over to Ecomodder.com, they have good info.
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Murf 59
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I used aluminum flashing. Very light. And can be cut with sissors. And a few pop rivits. My grill had 4 openings. I moved my lis. plate over to the pass side. And left one opening in front of the rad. I works good. When I went over to the valley, I had to open it out with my stainless pocket knife. I should replace it. It looks snaggy. And is as sharp as my knife. LOL
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rmcelwee
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Ask and ye shall receive (I made this webpage this morning after seeing your post):

http://www.lightweightmiata.com/geo/warmair/


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tmaxmetro
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Anything that is big enough, strong enough and light enough - those huge tupperware containers used to store clothes, rubbermaid garbage cans, those blue rollup plastic tobaggans that kids use (not sure how thick these are), etc.

I also noticed that there are "threaded insert installers", installed similar to pop rivets - but instead of using rivets, you use a threaded bolt (8/32, 10/32, etc.). I'm wondering if these would work on the bumpers ??
Edited by tmaxmetro, Dec 9 2009, 10:35 AM.
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

Excellent page rmcelwee, nice amount of complimentary pictures :thumb
tmax, if your talking about the expanding threaded inserts, yes. Pre-drill your opening to the diameter of the insert, when the bolt goes in it will make an extremely tight connection that should be more than enough to withstand ordinary driving.
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3cyltom
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i work in a parts room, and we got in a whole box of the black plastic mats that say buy motorcraft parts and such, i took 2 and put togeather and screwed to the bumper air dam. had to cut out a small space in front of the radiator in summer though, it was getting warm. thought about blocking it off again for the winter.
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dept411
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Got my front end blocked today. I used 3M steel tape with a sticky back. I know it sounds cheesy but its strong and formed easy. This stuff is super sticky and after I cleaned the bumper with alcohol it is hard to remove. The good thing is I was able to trim it to the contour I needed and painted it. It came out better than I could have imagined. I also coverd the turn markers then trimmed them out. As soon as I learn to post pics I'll get some up.
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3cyltom
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oh yeah, i forgot to mention i did the foil back tape on my truck one year. goes on easy, but after a while, the edges tend to peel back and the tape gets wrinkly for a lack of a better term. not to mention the tape sticky is a beeatch to clean off the car when you take it off.
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