Road Trip and an Aero experiment...
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Road Trip and an Aero experiment...
Ok, so I am leaving on Sunday to go on a 3500 mile road trip. I will be driving my mostly stock 2002 Electron Blue Vette. It has zero engine mods, is lowered slightly on the stock bolts, and is on c5 z06 shocks and c5 z51 sway bars.
I have a theory that I can get a little bit better fuel economy if I Tape off the areas on the front bumper where the Fog lights are since there is no real air flow through to the engine bay.
I am going to cut some cardboard (or old plastic political signs) to the right shape, and then use some painters tape (and possibly a layer of gorilla tape over the painters tape to ensure it doesn't come apart) to effectively seal off those areas.
Does anyone think this will help my quest for awesome highway fuel mileage?
I have a theory that I can get a little bit better fuel economy if I Tape off the areas on the front bumper where the Fog lights are since there is no real air flow through to the engine bay.
I am going to cut some cardboard (or old plastic political signs) to the right shape, and then use some painters tape (and possibly a layer of gorilla tape over the painters tape to ensure it doesn't come apart) to effectively seal off those areas.
Does anyone think this will help my quest for awesome highway fuel mileage?
#2
Race Director
Taking a page out of the Dodge Charger 500 playbook, Dodge engineers found that by moving the grill flush with the front of the car, the reduction in drag resulted in higher top speed, but we're talking 180+ mph.. Covering the openings in front would seem to serve the same purpose to a degree . Every little bit helps and I would imagine that you may see a mileage improvement, but I'm guessing it will be insignificant. But it probably wouldn't hurt.
#3
Team Owner
Not trying to be a "smart-azz", but I would be more concerned about the condition of the tires, belts, and hoses...
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Raith (06-29-2018)
#4
Melting Slicks
nothing measurable with what you have to measure with . .peace....edit : i mean you need more sophisticated equipment .
Last edited by bigcypress; 06-29-2018 at 07:32 AM.
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Raith (06-29-2018)
#5
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There are so many other variables that can affect fuel mileage that I think what you have proposed is an exercise in futility. Regardless of whether you can see any difference in MPG, I do not think I would want to drive around with a bunch of stuff taped to the front of my car.
But if you try it, post up your results.
But if you try it, post up your results.
#6
Le Mans Master
I just got back from 1200 mile road trip. The differences in price and grades of gas made the most difference in fuel cost. Found some cheap 93 octane ethanol free gas near Milwaukee that gave me the best gas mileage. I wouldn't waste my time trying to improve aero to get a minimal benefit.
#7
Burning Brakes
How much do you think you can save on the cost of fuel by doing this? My wife sometimes will say I found gas for 2 cents cheaper on the other side of town. I try to tell her she's only going to save 40 cents on the fill up.
I would simply try to find cheaper gas on the trip. If you go into towns it is almost always cheaper than it is on the freeway.
Just my thoughts.
Have a safe trip!
I would simply try to find cheaper gas on the trip. If you go into towns it is almost always cheaper than it is on the freeway.
Just my thoughts.
Have a safe trip!
#8
About saving money by using cheaper fuel. I find that if I use anything other than a Top Tier brand gas station my fuel gauge goes wonky requiring a bottle of techron to completely fix the issue. Consequently, I go out of my way to only use Top Tier wherever possible. Something to consider.
Last edited by Clairvoyantwolf; 06-29-2018 at 11:46 AM.
#9
Drifting
Just finished a 5 day round trip from Calif to WI, 165k 01 Z06, best milage was in SD @89mph avg 15mph tailwind, 31mpg. And that was for only one tank of fuel. Overall avg for the trip was 27 mpg. OP you are not going to see any real results, just go and have a good time.
#10
Le Mans Master
About saving money by using cheaper fuel. I find that if I use anything other than a Top Tier brand gas station my fuel gauge goes wonky requiring a bottle of techron to completely fix the issue. Consequently, I go out of my way to only use Top Tier wherever possible. Something to consider.
www.gasbuddy.com
Last edited by JR-01; 06-29-2018 at 12:30 PM.
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Raith (06-29-2018)
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
#12
Racer
Thread Starter
I also use top tier fuel only. Shell if I can get it. Prices do vary. There is a website/app called gas buddy that gives current gas prices of all gas stations. Trying to save a few cents by changing aero on the car seems a little far fetched to me. When I need gas I check gps to see what brand gas stations are ahead, stop at a preferred brand and fill up.
www.gasbuddy.com
www.gasbuddy.com
also on my last trip up there a couple years ago, i mapped out only ethanol free gas stations to see if i could measure a difference in mileage. that failed because 90% of the ethanol free stations only had 87 as ethanol free
#13
Le Mans Master
Already have my route mapped through gas buddy. i just enjoy odd little experiments to see what i can pull off. short of going in and tuning the afr and timing, i know i will probably not see any real difference, but for me its the process.
also on my last trip up there a couple years ago, i mapped out only ethanol free gas stations to see if i could measure a difference in mileage. that failed because 90% of the ethanol free stations only had 87 as ethanol free
also on my last trip up there a couple years ago, i mapped out only ethanol free gas stations to see if i could measure a difference in mileage. that failed because 90% of the ethanol free stations only had 87 as ethanol free
#14
Already have my route mapped through gas buddy. i just enjoy odd little experiments to see what i can pull off. short of going in and tuning the afr and timing, i know i will probably not see any real difference, but for me its the process.
also on my last trip up there a couple years ago, i mapped out only ethanol free gas stations to see if i could measure a difference in mileage. that failed because 90% of the ethanol free stations only had 87 as ethanol free
also on my last trip up there a couple years ago, i mapped out only ethanol free gas stations to see if i could measure a difference in mileage. that failed because 90% of the ethanol free stations only had 87 as ethanol free
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Raith (06-30-2018)
#16
Melting Slicks
Already have my route mapped through gas buddy. i just enjoy odd little experiments to see what i can pull off. short of going in and tuning the afr and timing, i know i will probably not see any real difference, but for me its the process.
also on my last trip up there a couple years ago, i mapped out only ethanol free gas stations to see if i could measure a difference in mileage. that failed because 90% of the ethanol free stations only had 87 as ethanol free
also on my last trip up there a couple years ago, i mapped out only ethanol free gas stations to see if i could measure a difference in mileage. that failed because 90% of the ethanol free stations only had 87 as ethanol free
#17
Team Owner
I also use top tier fuel only. Shell if I can get it. Prices do vary. There is a website/app called gas buddy that gives current gas prices of all gas stations. Trying to save a few cents by changing aero on the car seems a little far fetched to me. When I need gas I check gps to see what brand gas stations are ahead, stop at a preferred brand and fill up.
www.gasbuddy.com
www.gasbuddy.com
#18
Le Mans Master
Look at a car in a wind tunnel. I'd think there's no chance of any improvement in gas mileage. The front end would if anything just pack with air and the air flow around regardless.
And if the blocking could improve anything, it'd only be at high speeds. One less smash on the go pedal in the entire trip would make more difference. All just my opinion.
Doesn't help that the car will look odd.
And if the blocking could improve anything, it'd only be at high speeds. One less smash on the go pedal in the entire trip would make more difference. All just my opinion.
Doesn't help that the car will look odd.
#19
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Originally Posted by Clairvoyantwolf
About saving money by using cheaper fuel. I find that if I use anything other than a Top Tier brand gas station my fuel gauge goes wonky requiring a bottle of techron to completely fix the issue. Consequently, I go out of my way to only use Top Tier wherever possible. Something to consider.
#20
Drifting
I seem to recall drag being reduced with a solid front end. The reasoning is that air gets pushed around the bumper rather than getting caught up in the foglight area and generating turbulent air, which is what causes drag. That's why one of the recommended eco-mods is blocking off the grill. By damming the air rather than letting it get inside and turbulent, aerodynamic efficiency is improved. Of course, cooling has to be properly considered.