TeamSwift

Sorry the pics are not the greatest, but I wanted to share my aerodynamics mod. My 1998 Metro has the "Razor Mouth" from bumper which is an aerodynamic nightmare. I experimented with a few methods of blocking off the airflow except what was needed for cooling. I used a plastic mudflap found at any truck stop and also used replacement lamps and grommets found at the truck stop also.

I measured and cut two pieces to cover the entire frontal area, but left a 1/2" gap across the entire bottom for cooling the radiator. I cut out the oval shapes for the lamps and mounts and screwed the block directly to the bumper. Here are the pics..................

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• EcoMudder - Geo Metro Mudder
• Project page
• Build Video
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 6" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Johnny looks good! Please keep us posted on any cooling problems & mpg gains! Does your car have ac?

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96 Geo Metro 1.0 3cyl
70 Ply Cuda 440 500hp don't ask!
71 Ply Roadrunner 340 10-14 mpg
95 Chevy Truck 6.5 chipped 18mpg
08 Chevy Impala 32mpg

No A/C and no cooling issues so far

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• EcoMudder - Geo Metro Mudder
• Project page
• Build Video
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 6" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

I purchased regular LED lamps for $16.00 each and installed them in the car. I also removed the front license plate mount and moved the plate flush with the grill block for better aerodynamics. I also removed that steel plate opposite from the cooling fan to get more airflow directly to the engine from the gap below the hood.

Here is the new and improved version.................





These are extremely bright in the dark..........

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• EcoMudder - Geo Metro Mudder
• Project page
• Build Video
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 6" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

I like it!!!!

Way to go John!


Jimmy

can you take a pic of the bumper with your camera flash on ? then i can see the detail obscured by the shadows.

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1995 Firefly 1.3 SOHC 8VALVE MANUAL
2000 Firefly 1.3 SOHC 16VALVE AUTO. Goals: full restoration, achieve stock MPG and HP or higher, finished look should be 'stealthy' and unassuming. Engine will need to be rebuilt later on to restore compression levels.

Those LED lamps are bright enough to be fog lights!

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1988 Chevrolet Sprint (Forsa clone) 3Tech cam and underdrive pulley, MSD 8mm wireset, shaved head, Weber 32/36 carb, Honda short shifter, KYB Gr2 suspension, Summit tach and gauges, Pilot steering wheel, NEW! Summit Multi-spark CDI
Project Page
1993 Geo Metro Only mods so far are a Honda short shifter, Glowshift tach and a 3a Racing ricer muffler (freebie)

My digital camera has been getting worse as it ages. Detail? What detail would there to be seen with plastic mudflap material and Ford Ranger inner tailgate cover screws?

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• EcoMudder - Geo Metro Mudder
• Project page
• Build Video
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 6" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

LOL Johnny they need close ups of the redneck engineering involved! Did you pull the metal plate next to your radiator out? I thought that was here for a reason? At least thats what i've heard.....

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Just when I thought I was about to get back on my own 2 feet life kicked me in the shorts.

94 GEO METRO PARTS FOR SALE EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!!
94 XFI rust bucket
96 Honda Accord

Not to rain on your parade, but I strongly suspect that the early recessed headlights are more of an "aerodynamic nightmare" than the "Razor Mouth".



By dramatically restricting air flow thru the motor compartment there's little doubt that your mod substantially increases the demand for the electric fan. That significant added load may offset any aerodynamic gain. Its far better to cool via air flow from forward motion. I also suspect that your mod reduces the car's maximum cooling capacity, which would worry me in a hot climate like here in FL. I'd also presume that the mod would increase underhood temp.

Leaving just "a 1/2" gap...for cooling the radiator" may be fine in cold weather, but to enhance aerodynamics I'd suggest adding an air dam below the bumper to reduce turbulent airflow under the car.

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2000 Chevy Metro 3 cylinder 5 speed 3 door hatch
1998 Chevy Metro 3 cylinder 5 speed 3 door hatch
1998 Chevy Lumina APV
1998 Ford F-150 4X4 XLT
1992 Ford E-150 Club Wagon Chateau
1991 SAAB 900S 5 speed
1987 SAAB 900 Turbo SPG
1985 SAAB 900 Turbo SPG
1974 SAAB Sonett III
1971 SAAB 96 modified to 1980 specs
1966 SAAB 96
1960 SAAB 93F
1958 SAAB 93B
1964 Willys JEEP CJ-5
1954 Willys JEEP M-170 military ambulance
1953 Grumman Kurbside step van

I have experimented with this bumper several times until I got it the way I wanted it as documented in my rebuild thread found at ecomodder.com. I hooked up our shop Snap-on scanner and monitored the engine temps every time. The first few attempts did result in the fan coming on in shorter intervals and higher engine temps. The recent configuration is allowing air from the 1/2" gap below the block and the gap between the hood and bumper. Removing the steel plate allows more fresh, cool air to the engine. Now the engine temps are normal and the fan only cycles if it sits and idles for over a minute in traffic on a hot day. These tests were all performed on hot days in my region.

The headlight "downgrade" was done because of my disgust and hate I have for composite headlamps. I am not going to get into yet another discussion about cleaning composite lamps to make them clear again. For $160.00 a pop, composite lamps should stay clear forever and not require prep work and buffing every year. These sealed beam lamps I have now are much safer and way brighter at night and I prefer safety over slight aerodynamics. I plan on having Lexan covers made to get that aerodynamic effect back.

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• EcoMudder - Geo Metro Mudder
• Project page
• Build Video
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 6" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

I covered the front openings on my 94 XFI with 1/8" rubber sheets. Used self tapping screws to hold it on looks cheezy but whatever works for me. Drove it around town and on the highway with no problems. Played with the timing also...finally got the damn thing to ping at 12 degrees under load. Could barely hear it but it was popping. Turned it back to 9-10 degrees and pulled the rubber tight to the bottom of the bumperand refastened along the bottom edge. I'm going to keep my eyes open for some black plastic sheets or flashing material. I'd like to make a longer lip for the bumper and a belly pan for the front end. I'll report back in a few weeks on MPG/heat issues with this change.

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Just when I thought I was about to get back on my own 2 feet life kicked me in the shorts.

94 GEO METRO PARTS FOR SALE EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!!
94 XFI rust bucket
96 Honda Accord

Nice modification - I belive!!
Sow I have thought of doing the same thing whit artificial lether... Well just an idea.

Rasmus

Aint you running the engine hotter and an ineffective air conditioning ?

IMHO you might like to add "water-wetter" in radiator to keep the car cool.

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Cried for not having a Honda, laughed at Honda not having G13B motor.

Nice to have this opening so the radiator can be pelted by road debree.

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custome made wood runabout with 650 kawasaki jetski drive.
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r302 ... NT%20boat/

Adding query to old thead :

In the enclosed picture (Mullet's car) I have thought of two more mods ?

Will they reduce the drag and help in higher fuel efficiency at higher speeds.

But is it possible that it may effect the engine cooling and / or AC cooling adversely ?

Can seniors and experts throw some light please.

Thanks.

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Cried for not having a Honda, laughed at Honda not having G13B motor.

Covering headlights should be a benefit but seeing as he has the lower part of the air intake already covered, removing the 1/2 inch opening may be a detracting add-on, as far as ability to cool is concerned.

that what i was suspecting, rightly said Ralph.

Instead a bumper skirt / air dam can be added to enhance the aerodynamic effect.

Am gonna block my hood grill leaving just an inch for air and add a 2 inch wide air dam below the front bumper. Blocking lower grill however will give the best aerodynamic returns but will dare to try only in winters though.

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Cried for not having a Honda, laughed at Honda not having G13B motor.

Chicken!!

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Cried for not having a Honda, laughed at Honda not having G13B motor.

Headlights don't matter. No loss or increase in MPG. I tested this theory with powder like snow in the winter.

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• EcoMudder - Geo Metro Mudder
• Project page
• Build Video
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 6" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

We had a very light powdery snow one night and you could literally "wave" the snow off the car with your hand. I drove 16 miles at 50 MPH average and the snow laying in the headlight buckets was still there.

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• EcoMudder - Geo Metro Mudder
• Project page
• Build Video
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 6" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Hood grill block:

Using aluminium sheet I have blocked the hood grill, engine temperature or AC performance has not shown any negative changes. Pix enclosed. This is a temp fit using double side tape.

Will block lower grill as well, wish to do a partial block thought say 80%, but the question is lower or upper ?? Which 1 is more effective ?

Inputs welcome.

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Cried for not having a Honda, laughed at Honda not having G13B motor.

The AMG one is almost impossible to find and the most expensive. I have a lowered front bumper on my 02 infinite Q45 and there was 2 inches of gap to the factory underpan. The new underpan with the lowered bumper helped significantly with the quest.