introducing: the "ion XFE"
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
introducing: the "ion XFE"
I am currently developing my "ion XFE" concept into a real car. part of this effectively cuts off any ram cooling air for the winter, and modifies it for the summer to make it more fuel and cooling efficient. I block the grills with corrugated plastic held on with zip ties, the under side of the car gets a belly pan (held in by existing and 2 additional plastic rivets) that keeps the air going into the radiator better while improving coefficient of drag. you cannot block both grills any time it is above about 40, though, only the top one. this will improve fuel efficiency, reduce packed snow, and should stop the car from not making any heat at long stop lights in really cold weather. it will also decrease warm up time significantly.
in the summer, it's cooler, in the winter, it's warmer, it's all easily removable and held in without drilling into metal. I have a sedan, but with a short amount of time, materials, and a car, I can adopt this concept to any car. my research will apply to american delta platform cars. it will let you go faster (higher top speed), more efficiently.
currently I have "stage 1" done. I have effectively increased coast down from 70 to 40 by 15%, my goal is to get much higher. currently the car looks like an ion with a blacked out grill. next starts "stage 2": advanced under car aerodynamic modifiers. then "stage 3": wheel and tire aerodynamic fairings. after stage 3, I believe the car will be complete, but time will tell. I am also closing up some body gaps, since it is an ion, but do not expect a big drag difference so much as a wind noise difference. speaking of which, the car does seem quieter already.
in the summer, it's cooler, in the winter, it's warmer, it's all easily removable and held in without drilling into metal. I have a sedan, but with a short amount of time, materials, and a car, I can adopt this concept to any car. my research will apply to american delta platform cars. it will let you go faster (higher top speed), more efficiently.
currently I have "stage 1" done. I have effectively increased coast down from 70 to 40 by 15%, my goal is to get much higher. currently the car looks like an ion with a blacked out grill. next starts "stage 2": advanced under car aerodynamic modifiers. then "stage 3": wheel and tire aerodynamic fairings. after stage 3, I believe the car will be complete, but time will tell. I am also closing up some body gaps, since it is an ion, but do not expect a big drag difference so much as a wind noise difference. speaking of which, the car does seem quieter already.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I need to take some. then I will post them. right now it's pretty simple stuff, but it's netted some interesting gains for having used $15 of materials. ~5 more seconds 70-40 coast down, and 4MPG at 65. honestly, if you didn't care about the big picture, you could get close to this with just the one mod, but everything so far has made a positive difference in one way or another.
Last edited by 2007 ion2; 09-15-2010 at 01:52 PM.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
here they are, the upper grill block is still in mock up form (it's just "tacked on" for a visual), but will not be much longer. these mods have been on the car total (mock up to present) for almost 400 miles, and have undergone highway stability, noise, and efficiency testing. all of the above has improved, and I am far from done, aerodynamically.
the rear under tray is the most significant drag wise, but I am not done, I need to add a bit to it, still.
the rear under tray is the most significant drag wise, but I am not done, I need to add a bit to it, still.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my next step is wheel/tire aerodynamic deficiencies in relation to under car air flow.
under car drag is ~30% of total drag, the wheels/tires are about another 30%, so these are my areas of focus
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do want to mock up a full under tray if I get like a fridge box, but I would need a lift so I could install it. As far as how much drag what part of the car produces what percent of total drag, I don't say so, some really smart aerodynamicist does.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
, Oh, you're talking about the air dam. That isn't supposed to affect cooling, it's primarily aerodynamic in function.. Notice I say primarily. Also, I have yet to test this on a coup. Your bumper cover might be different aerodynamicist to the point where these act differently. I intentionally monitored both temps meticulously, anticipating problems.
And why do I need to be smoking something for aerodynamic fairings used on production cars to make a difference?
And why do I need to be smoking something for aerodynamic fairings used on production cars to make a difference?
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cardboard is only for mock up and proving how effective it is. I then make a permanent piece out of aluminum or plastic depending on the purpose and location. No cardboard is permanenT.
#16
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
, Oh, you're talking about the air dam. That isn't supposed to affect cooling, it's primarily aerodynamic in function.. Notice I say primarily. Also, I have yet to test this on a coup. Your bumper cover might be different aerodynamicist to the point where these act differently. I intentionally monitored both temps meticulously, anticipating problems.
And why do I need to be smoking something for aerodynamic fairings used on production cars to make a difference?
And why do I need to be smoking something for aerodynamic fairings used on production cars to make a difference?
#18
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depending on the car, it can help or hurt. And it's far from random
.air dam: Definition from Answers.com
The only time they should hurt aerodynamics is when you are lowered with a full under pan. But, yes, they are aerodynamic modifiers.
.air dam: Definition from Answers.com
The only time they should hurt aerodynamics is when you are lowered with a full under pan. But, yes, they are aerodynamic modifiers.
#19
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 04-30-09
Location: Fond Du Lac, WI
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dude...the BEST thing you can do is regear the final drive ratio...and change your tires to something with an insanely high treadwear rating which usually coincides with rolling resistance. And btw, don't block the air dam, it creates a pressure wave at highway speed to direct airflow to the radiator, and actually increases aerodynamic efficiency on your front end by creating a static high pressure area directly in front of your radiator...which is how they were designed. And of course do a tune up, run all synthetic fluids, detune your engine, buy a higher temp thermostat, check and replace any brake component that drags even a little bit, take apart your halfshafts (cv joints) and replace the stock grease with a synthetic grease made by Mobil1 just for cv joints. And of course, change your driving style.
I've gotten more than 40mpg in my SS/TC on factory tires by being creative with driving, messing with tire pressure and drafting large trucks.
I've gotten more than 40mpg in my SS/TC on factory tires by being creative with driving, messing with tire pressure and drafting large trucks.
#21
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-09
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's why at highway speed I get a measurable and repeatable drop in drag. Also, I have done everything else you said, besides the tires. Improving aerodynamics quiets the car down and gives you a higher top speed, and improves track times, but go ahead and call me crazy.
#22
I'll be watching this with interest. I doubt I want to go as far as putting on fairings, but if a couple discreet mods help with winter mileage and keeping the car warm, why not?
#25
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: 03-08-08
Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I need to take some. then I will post them. right now it's pretty simple stuff, but it's netted some interesting gains for having used $15 of materials. ~5 more seconds 70-40 coast down, and 4MPG at 65. honestly, if you didn't care about the big picture, you could get close to this with just the one mod, but everything so far has made a positive difference in one way or another.
However
I am sceptical of the result you are seeing. I agree a splitter, diffuser, and bellypans will give you better mileage. But you are claiming that you are seeing a gain of 4MPG from a rear bellypan and blocking front lower bumper. That kind of gain is HUGE. If it was that easy to gain that kind of mileage I think the OEMs would invest to few bucks to make some bolt on belly pans if that kind of HWY MPG improvements could be made.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post29811
Last edited by bri2203; 10-03-2010 at 11:36 PM.