Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Posted ImageWelcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are features you can't use and images you can't see. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Join our community!




Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The new $600. Swift
Topic Started: Aug 28 2010, 08:47 PM (3,009 Views)
metroschultz
Member Avatar
Please just call me; "Schultz"

Posted Image

Nice ride.
Polish the hood and paint roof and hatch black as well.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bad Bent
Member Avatar
Facetious Educated Donkey

That is pretty. Thanks for a screen saver pic. :thumb
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
bogs
Member Avatar
Duct tape heals all wounds

Very nice looking :thumb
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J-rad
Member
[ *  *  * ]
Thanks guys, I'm honored the rat swift has made to screen saver status :rocker It did end up looking pretty cool with the black hood. I don't think I would trade it for a red one.

It would look even better with these Lower Springs Need to hold off though, I told myself I would only buy mandatory parts for the first few months or so.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Coche Blanco
Member Avatar
Troll Certified

Cut your springs. :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J-rad
Member
[ *  *  * ]
Long time no update. As you guys may have seen I made a $10. lip spoiler from garden edging from home depot. That thread can be seen here - http://geometroforum.com/topic/4016909/1/

I did a mechanical disable of the day time running lights too. That thread is here - http://geometroforum.com/topic/4021881/1/#new

I've also installed a Scangauge II, Ecomodder has a really good deal on them until the end of December. This was well worth the money, I highly recommend it for any one who is interested in "ecomodding" I wish i had gotten one months ago.

Today I finally made a grill block. Got a 36x24 sheet of coroplast from Home Depot for $5. I don't plan on keeping it white. That's just temporary until I find out how much I can or can't actually seal off. I chose to mount it with simple zip-ties for easy removal. I will probably have to make something different for the summer since it hits 100+ here. I wanted to hold off on this mod until I had the Scangauge so that I can monitor my Coolant temps. It's not the prettiest thing I've ever seen, but I think it will be pretty functional.

While I was doing the grill block my brother decided he wanted to block off the spot above my AC condensor. It was just open, so the theory here is the more you can seal off around the radiator and condensor the more air that is forced to go through them, thus you can have the main opening on the grill block even smaller. He just used a piece of $6. dollar sheet metal also from Home Depot. Here the pics of the work so far. We also stacked up some foam to seal up the hood to bumper gap.

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
yiffzer
Forgot His Manpurse

Ever thought of removing the A/C? I know you said you were looking for an AC unit but it's more fuel efficient if you roll down the windows.

Not sure where you're located though.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Coche Blanco
Member Avatar
Troll Certified

I bet he's in Austin Texas.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J-rad
Member
[ *  *  * ]
yiffzer
Dec 30 2010, 01:47 PM
Ever thought of removing the A/C? I know you said you were looking for an AC unit but it's more fuel efficient if you roll down the windows.

Not sure where you're located though.
I've thought about it but it's just way too hot here in Austin. It isn't out of the norm to have 30days in a row over 100. I'm not sure my AC can even work at those temps honestly. If it doesn't I plan on pulling it out.
Edited by J-rad, Dec 30 2010, 01:53 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Woodie
Member Avatar


It should work fine as long as the car is moving. Not enough fan on it or something, but it is a bit weak in stop and go traffic. As soon as you get going 20 mph or so, it's great. Your added shrouding may improve that a little, but you're going to want the passenger side of the lower grill open in the summer.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J-rad
Member
[ *  *  * ]
Just a little update. I have yet to go through a full tank with the grill block but according to my scangauge there has been no increase in fuel economy. I was averaging about 50mpg to and from work on my 30 mile drive. It is still exactly that, if anything it seems a few mpg's lower. The only thing I have notice is my coolant temps are higher.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J-rad
Member
[ *  *  * ]
Just filled up, averaged 39.5mpg with the scangauge, grill block and lip spoiler. That's exactly what I was getting with the car when it was stock. The scangauge was off so I calibrated it. The numbers are a little disappointing after reading what the gains should have been from the grill block.

I'll burn through a few more tanks of gas and see if I can get my average up a little bit. It's also time for a oil change, not sure how much that can be holding me back.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alpine
1020cc G10 GOML

J-rad
Jan 4 2011, 11:06 PM
Just filled up, averaged 39.5mpg with the scangauge, grill block and lip spoiler. That's exactly what I was getting with the car when it was stock. The scangauge was off so I calibrated it. The numbers are a little disappointing after reading what the gains should have been from the grill block.

I'll burn through a few more tanks of gas and see if I can get my average up a little bit. It's also time for a oil change, not sure how much that can be holding me back.
the biggest mod you can do to change f.e is change your driving habit. to be more f.e
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J-rad
Member
[ *  *  * ]
Alpine
Jan 4 2011, 11:26 PM
J-rad
Jan 4 2011, 11:06 PM
Just filled up, averaged 39.5mpg with the scangauge, grill block and lip spoiler. That's exactly what I was getting with the car when it was stock. The scangauge was off so I calibrated it. The numbers are a little disappointing after reading what the gains should have been from the grill block.

I'll burn through a few more tanks of gas and see if I can get my average up a little bit. It's also time for a oil change, not sure how much that can be holding me back.
the biggest mod you can do to change f.e is change your driving habit. to be more f.e
I drive like a 80 year old women. I get hi-beamed, passed and swerved at I drive so slow. The car never goes past 65mph on average I'm going 60. As for accelerating I also take off ultra slow and watch my scangauge throttleing it for the best average. I coast down every hill in neutral and coast to all stop signs and lights in neutral.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
yiffzer
Forgot His Manpurse

J-rad
Jan 4 2011, 11:34 PM
Alpine
Jan 4 2011, 11:26 PM
J-rad
Jan 4 2011, 11:06 PM
Just filled up, averaged 39.5mpg with the scangauge, grill block and lip spoiler. That's exactly what I was getting with the car when it was stock. The scangauge was off so I calibrated it. The numbers are a little disappointing after reading what the gains should have been from the grill block.

I'll burn through a few more tanks of gas and see if I can get my average up a little bit. It's also time for a oil change, not sure how much that can be holding me back.
the biggest mod you can do to change f.e is change your driving habit. to be more f.e
I drive like a 80 year old women. I get hi-beamed, passed and swerved at I drive so slow. The car never goes past 65mph on average I'm going 60. As for accelerating I also take off ultra slow and watch my scangauge throttleing it for the best average. I coast down every hill in neutral and coast to all stop signs and lights in neutral.
By doing that method, you shouldn't be getting 39.5 MPG.

May I advise you that taking off ULTRA SLOW is actually INEFFICIENT. The 3 cylinder is most efficient at 85% throttle. Your goal is to get to fifth gear as quickly as you can and to maintain this gear at all times (even in the city). Then you begin controlling your throttle to the bare minimum of maintaining speed.

As for the other techniques, sounds about right.

I think the partial block isn't effective at all though. But really, a partial block is probably only going to net you 1 to 2% MPG. You may have to do an A-B-A-B-A testing to really verify any difference, if anything. And I think that you may not see the difference much while going at lower speeds but definitely at higher speeds.

I suppose now is the best time to test the effects by really staying on speed at 55 MPH then 65 MPH or so (going back and forth from work).

I am hoping you do net some gain...!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Project Forum · Next Topic »
Add Reply