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Mods I've done to reduce drag

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by 299K, Jan 21, 2020.

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  1. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    Ive removed the front plate to reduce drag.
     
    #1 299K, Jan 21, 2020
  2. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    Ive removed the rear wiper to save weight and aerodynamic drag.
     
    #2 299K, Jan 21, 2020
  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Have you kept any before and after stats to see if it really has made any difference?
     
    #3 dolj, Jan 22, 2020
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  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    For more ideas, read up on the AeroCivic.
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Jan 22, 2020
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  5. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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    Nice DIY project.

    He states that Cd (drag coefficient) is well below the 0.25 Cd of a Toyota Prius. I am curious what he estimates his Cd is.
     
    #5 ice9, Jan 22, 2020
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i took out the passenger seats and other weighty materials. replaced the 12v with a few d cells, and etc.
    i'm up about 5 mpg
    we have front plate requirement, but i'm looking at cone shaped 3d printed frames
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 22, 2020
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  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Having to pay a ticket for improper display of plates likely will be a MUCH BIGGER drag.
     
    #7 sam spade 2, Jan 22, 2020
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  8. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    #8 fuzzy1, Jan 22, 2020
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  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    What are the odds that the whole thread is a joke ?
    I think it is pretty funny........or pretty sad, depending on your perspective.
     
    #9 sam spade 2, Jan 23, 2020
  10. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    Removing the front plate won't reduce drag, in fact it is likely doing the opposite. The stock plate holder situates the plate so that it partially covers the cooling air inlet, which reduces the volume of air going through the radiator (drag) and engine bay (more drag). Sending that air around the car body by blocking its path into the radiator reduces drag.
     
    #10 Vman455, Jan 23, 2020
  11. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I've lost 25 lbs. so far on my way to my goal weight... :whistle:
     
    #11 RRxing, Jan 23, 2020
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  12. George W

    George W Active Member

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    What front plate? Doesn't removing that increase the turbulence around the engine?
     
    #12 George W, Jan 23, 2020
  13. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    I’ve removed the steering wheel, which causes the vehicle to not be driven and a car standing still encounters very little drag.
     
    #13 VFerdman, Jan 23, 2020
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  14. offib

    offib Member

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    Before the winter, I went through an auto-carwash with my '07. The dryer took the aeriel right off, and I haven't gone below 50 mpg.imp since Nov. :giggle:
     
    #14 offib, Jan 23, 2020
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  15. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    How many D cells, and nicad or lion or? Thats pretty slick if you can eliminate the 12v battery!
     
    #15 299K, Feb 3, 2020
  16. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    No, it would do no good. Sometimes I drive like an ecomodder, sometimes like fast and furious. I am thinking of removing the radio antenna, and keeping the passenger side mirror folded in. Also thinking about removing the entire interior except for the driver seat.
     
    #16 299K, Feb 3, 2020
  17. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    My state requirement for front plate ends this year. They are only used for revenue generation via speed/red light cams, phuck em.
     
    #17 299K, Feb 3, 2020
  18. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    I have my entire lower intake blocked, only uncover the upper blocks when temps are above 50F.
     
    #18 299K, Feb 3, 2020
  19. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    Congrats! This may be a great motivator for increased mpg. Same as flying small ultralight/recreational aircraft.
     
    #19 299K, Feb 3, 2020
  20. 299K

    299K Junior Member

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    Ive driven cars using vice grips where the steering wheel should be.
     
    #20 299K, Feb 3, 2020
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