Metro aerodynamics - Gas Savers

MetroMPG · 03-29-2006, 07:28 PM

'95 Metro LSI ...

XFi · 03-29-2006, 07:36 PM

I was under mine last weekend looking at that. Thought it would be easy until I crawled under...EEEEEoWQWWWWW! Not an easy one. That exhaust sure throws a curve ball at ya.
Still pondering how I am going to do it, so maybe I can learn from your trial/error/success.

Looking at the back, wonder how much drag the rear bumper cover is causing by hanging down so low. Do you thing a rear bumper modification, with a more upswept under pan would help?

MetroMPG · 03-29-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Do you thing a rear bumper modification, with a more upswept under pan would help?

absolutel

Matt Timion · 03-30-2006, 12:14 AM

At the junkyard I saw a Metro with a body kit... do you want me to get it for you?

It's primer grey... my favorite color

XFi · 03-30-2006, 03:26 AM

Matt, what year(s)? 89-94 2dr? would be seriously interested in some pics...been thinking about some side skirts too.

Matt Timion · 03-30-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroXFi

Matt, what year(s)? 89-94 2dr? would be seriously interested in some pics...been thinking about some side skirts too.

I'll snap some pictures today and find out.

MetroMPG · 03-30-2006, 11:18 AM

i suspect it's an 89-94 swift GT. you can sell those body add-ons on the teamswift site also. they had different bumpers, rocker panel skirts and sometimes a rear hatch spoiler.

Matt Timion · 03-30-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

suspect it's an 89-94 swift GT. you can sell those body add-ons on the teamswift site also.

Any idea how much they go for? Is it worth my while? Will I make a handsome profit?

MetroMPG · 03-30-2006, 11:27 AM

hatch midwing - 125 ish (not same as roof level wing)
rocker skirts - 125-175 ish? saw one set on ebay for 225+

http://www.teamswift.net/viewforum.php?f=15

browse to your heart's content...

Matt Timion · 03-30-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

hatch midwing - 125 ish (not same as roof level wing)
rocker skirts - 125-175 ish? saw one set on ebay for 225+

http://www.teamswift.net/viewforum.php?f=15

browse to your heart's content...

Nice... I will hit the junkyard today with the camera.

XFi · 03-30-2006, 04:02 PM

Found a guy who will sell used F & R bumper covers, side skirts and rear spoiler for 175 CDN. Don't know if he will ship to me or not yet, waiting to hear back from him.

Color matches my car to boot!

Matt Timion · 03-30-2006, 04:43 PM

The body kit was gone... how sad.

basjoos · 03-30-2006, 04:51 PM

I wonder if you could find a junked Honda Insight and get some underbody panels from it that you could modify to fit under the Metro.

Matt Timion · 03-30-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basjoos

I wonder if you could find a junked Honda Insight and get some underbody panels from it that you could modify to fit under the Metro.

I would cry with joy if I found a junked honda insight

I don't know if they'd fit other cars though.

XFi · 03-30-2006, 05:05 PM

Thanks for checking anyway. Hope this guy will ship.

XFi · 03-30-2006, 05:07 PM

Hey matt...found a wrecked insight last weekend when I was 'junking'. Can PM you the name and number of the yard if you want...deal specifically in late models...sure they know what they have.

Compaq888 · 03-30-2006, 05:09 PM

It's pointless in getting under panels from an Insight. The best solution is to do your own.

The Toecutter · 03-30-2006, 06:32 PM

Quote:

I wonder if you could find a junked Honda Insight and get some underbody panels from it that you could modify to fit under the Metro.

Provided the body is in good shape, it's best possible application would be a conversion to electric. Battery room out the ***...

A 336V pack of Optima Yellowtops and a 107 horsepower Siemens motor/inverter setup would yield ~120 miles range at 65-70 mph(Or about 180 miles range at 55 mph), 0-60 mph in ~8 seconds, and top speed around 150 mph. Would cost roughly $20,000 to do.

But why go through all that effort and part with all that cash trying to get an Insight undertray, when for much cheaper you could make your own?

MetroMPG · 04-02-2006, 10:01 PM

aero mod updates:

MetroMPG · 04-03-2006, 08:48 PM

some photography of interest:

krousdb · 04-04-2006, 05:38 AM

Awesome Metro! Cant wait for the results.

MetroMPG · 04-04-2006, 09:37 PM

cardboard rear undertray

MetroMPG · 04-06-2006, 12:29 PM

well, screwed up the

MetroMPG · 04-06-2006, 12:59 PM

in hindsight, i should have just re-attached the rear tray and done another run before pulling them all off.

to be honest, it didn't occur to me that it might have been hanging down the whole time affecting all the undertray runs until after i had removed them all.

big, self-administered dope-slap

SVOboy · 04-06-2006, 02:07 PM

Don't worry yourself too much, you have proven to use that coroplast is the stuff to use,

krousdb · 04-06-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

i did 2 bi-dir "naked" runs for comparison, which produced very similar numbers:.

Isn't "streaking" illegal up yonder? Even if it isn't, it's a bit cold outside to run naked, isn't it?

I'm hoping that your tray was hanging the whole time. I had a 57 MPG bi-directional run at 55 ave speed, and that was with my spare 4th cylinder along for the ride.

It was 25F warmer outside though and I was using constant throttle, bleeding off speed uphill and gaining speed downhill. Hmmm. Maybe not a fair comparison to holding 55.

XFi · 04-07-2006, 02:41 PM

Just got back from picking up my Coroplast!!! I'm excited 'cause I only paid $9.25 for each 4x8 sheet. The real kicker is that the vinyl supply company I purchased it from has multiple colors available. White, Off-White, Green, Yellow, etc. I got it in black so I wouldn't have to deal with painting it. Yeah, no overspray...not that it would matter, the paint on my car is pretty much 'dead' anyway. Going to check the weather for tommorow (day off), maybe get it done.

***What kind of hardware/screws did everyone use for installation? Just self tappers or did you drill holes?***

krousdb · 04-07-2006, 02:51 PM

Self tappiung screws with predrilled holes when screwing into plastic or steel. Use washers to keep the head from pulling through. For coroplast to coroplast I used coarse thread drywall screws. They hold the coroplast well. After a week my coroplast is secure. Nothing has losened up.

XFi · 04-10-2006, 04:33 PM

Just completed cutting and fitting my rear tray. Thought I would start in back where the panel is smaller so I get used to working with the coroplast. Am planning on tucking the panel up above my rear bumper lip (nice and clean), but I need to get some different hardware 1st.

My question for anyone/everyone is...would it benefit the aerodynamics of the vehicle if I attached it under the rear bumper cover and let some stick out the back? I'm not worried about the looks of the vehicle, so if it had a 3" lip of coroplast sticking out the back would this direct the airflow more efficiently? Lower the drag? Thoughts?...

n0rt0npr0 · 04-10-2006, 04:42 PM

not that I know much but that seems very streamlined. I think thats a beneficial aero way to do it. Deleting that lower bumper lip like you describe with the overlap, I think thats a great idea.