Looking for aerodynamic mod ideas?

Something I have given some thought to and it wouldn't be expensive.
Add a sharp trailing edge to the outside edge of the tail lights so airflow sheers off cleanly and doesn't try to follow around the curve of the tail light. Have a look at the sharp edges on the Gen III rear edges. A side benefit would be a reduction in cross wind effect.

 

There are wheel skirts available. The guys over ad EcoModders have done DIY skirts.

 

You can do a sideskirt extension and an air dam extension/splitter on the front. It'll probably car scrape all over the place though. The kinda-ghetto way is to use flexible plastic lawn edging from Home Depot.

Airdam / Undertray / Splitter Construction Ideas - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

 

Have to be careful of exhaust fumes entering rear through any opening

 

I can't find it now when I search, but I thought I saw someone mentioning moving the front wheel air deflectors forward, closer to the bottom edge of the bumper. I remember it being presented as a very easy mod...

- D

 

Butt ugly Cd 0.17 > Aerocivic - Honda Civic modifications for maximum gas mileage - aerocivic.com

 

how about removing the catalytic converter? does that only work with old school cars or would it help the prius too?



edit: sorry not aerodynamic related. only mpg related.

 

You can cover it with dimples like on a golf ball:

http://i.gizmodo.com/5133921/fastskinz-car-wraps-confuse-passing-golfers-as-they-save-you-gas

There is also an article somewhere about a guy who is using a low pressure fan to duct air across the back of the car to induce laminar flow, greatly reducing turbulance drag at the back. Sorry, but I can't seem to locate the article.

 

Not MPG related either, just a way to pollute.

 

I don't know where you got the impression that cat removal improves MPG. On high performance engines, particularly those with forced induction, cat removal can yield small power gains (1-3hp on an Evo/STi) by removing restriction. However, that is unlikely to improve fuel consumption. On a N/A engine like the one on the Prius, it is unlikely to make any difference at all.

 

I only get the impression from previous cars I have owned. My first few were all 90's trucks/suvs...in particular my 94 GMC jimmy got way better (15-20%) after there was no catalytic converter. I also remember old friends who intentially destroyed the inside of it to let the flow through easier.

My knowledge on the catalytic converter is anecdotal.

 

Get a set of coilovers. Improve the handling and lower the car which improves aerodynamic as well.

 

I just came across this picture. I'm not sure what it's done for the mpgs but I think it has a few too many limitations to be practical:

 

Psst. It's definitely more than 1-3 hp on an Evo. I am not running a cat, and since I am running E85, it doesn't reek at all.

Oh and I'm in the process of doing some aero mods to my Evo, So I figured I would swing by here and see what some of you guys have done. I haven't been on here in forever.

Going to be doing the entire underbody and a large diffuser in the rear.

 

There have been tests that shows removing a cat only yields minimal power gains, 10 or less hp, generally on the less unless you are running a stupid crazy setup. You do it on a boosted car to relieve back pressure so the turbo can spool faster and harder.

On an N/A car, well no advantage since you are removing some of that back pressure that is needed for the car to run properly. If you are not careful on an N/A car, you can really mess up your power output, ie instead of gaining you are going to be losing.

SyZyGy ... E85 is a whole different beast vs pump gas. It can be pressurized higher without knock. As far as mods on your Evo, what are you planning? My friend has an 8 with the widebody widebody Voltex kit in flat black, super sick looking. (I know I said widebody twice, but there's the standard widebody Voltex, and then you can add on some extra flares on top of the flares, if that makes sense).

 

Sorry, I also meant to link to the OP if he wanted a bodykit, check out Sigma.

World's Largest Prius-dedicated Accessory Shop :: Sigma Automotive

 

Hi All,

I had several aero-mods on my 2006 Prius. It was totalled recently by a high-speed driving SUV.

Here is a list:

Flush Grill deflectors over the portion of the grill that is molded blocked between the slats.

In-line Upper Third A-Pillar tubulators. The idea on these is the air developes sideways velocity on the windshield, which exits in this area around the side of the car. By orienting the turbulator in-line with the A-Pilar, it primarily effects the sideways flow, and robs the sideways flowing air of its momentum. This air then just lays down flat on the side of the car. You can see rain form a J hook pattern in the area of the front windows just below the upper third of the A-pilar. With the tubulators, the rain drops would flow straight back along the window, unless there was significant cross wind.

Tubulators on the Rear-View mirrors just before the maximum dimension. The idea there was to tumble the air around the max dimension, reducing the effect cross-section of disturbed air-flow. This one was untested.

24 inch Volt bump on the tail of the rear spoiler. The Volt engineers found that a small (3/4 inch inline with airflow, 1/4 inch vertical) bump on the tail of the rear spoiler helped a bit. I made one out of PVC Foam, and coated it in epoxy, and used VHB tape to secure it to the rear edge of the spoiler.

Flush wheel covers using 10 mil aluminum flashing wrapped on the Prius trim rings. These resulted in noticably quieter noise from the wheel well area. Not sure if it was aero or not. I did down-hill test these. At the base of the hill the car held speed much longer.

I think my 2006 Prius was much more aero slipery than my new 2010. Although the 2010 N-glides much further on level terrain below 40 mph than the 2006 ever did. I have a hill I D-Glide down in my commute. The 2010 I enter at 48 and at the base of the hill its 45 mph. My 2006 I would enter at 45 and be at 52 mph at the base of the hill.

 

LOL !! that is hillarious. obviously not an areomod, just trying to get the material home. reminds me of hauling my 16ft garage door panels home on the roof of my Jeep. going 25mph about 5 miles home.