Improved aerodynamics: Front airdam / splitter or grill bloc

dtlee · 03-20-2008, 03:26 PM

I'm wondering if something like this would help. I saw one recently on a Prius. I know the Insight has awesome aerodynamics already but... I cannot leave anything alone. So I'm wondering if anyone here has made a front airdam to try to get better aerodynamics, like people often do for Civics when they are hypermiling.

I've done some searching but couldn't find any definitive information about a front grille block. There is a lot of information here about a radiator block but that doesn't improve the car's aerodynamics. Has anyone on this site gone crazy with aerodynamics, kind of like the guy with the white Civic VX on gassavers . org or ecomodder?

joecvt · 03-20-2008, 05:13 PM

In late fall, I remove the lower black plasitc grill and replace it with a hard rubber piece trimmed to block off all air flow (only in the lower area)...I believe that helps a bit with areo and radiator block. Since I'm not blocking right up against the radiator, it will still work ok on a warm day. In the spring I remove the rubber piece and put the plastic grill back on. That additional air flow is needed in the summer time. I believe Honda spent a lot of time in the front bumper design and grille for aerodynamics so not sure if it can be improved upon and at the same time get proper air flow in the summer (unless you make adjustable louvers that open and shut based upon temp).

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

gderian · 01-03-2011, 02:52 PM

Trying to resurrect a very old thread here.

I have recently blocked my upper intake figuring that would smooth air flow over the hood. A close look at the lower grille shows the horizontal slats to be air foils. I've seen this design before in the early Ford Capri. These slats stall the air flow at higher speeds effectively creating a built-in radiator block.

Has anyone seen a write-up or an explanation of this for the Insight grille?

**MN Driver** · 01-03-2011, 03:09 PM

I haven't seen anything written up about it but I've noticed those too and figured that someone clever at engineering might have a way to rotate those to close or open the space more as conditions demand.

Cobb · 01-04-2011, 12:45 AM

On another note I attached a 4 inch long piece of edging to the bottom of my geo metro bumper and behind the grill inserted a piec eof cardboard to block 3/4 of the grill and engine radiator. It warms up way faster, holds operating temperature and produces wicked heat while doing so and its no longer a kite in the wind and pushed around the road like before.

I think it would be great if we can make a grill that functions like a set of window blinds that can be opened and closed as needed to regulate temp inaddition to turning the fan off and on.

dtlee · 12-07-2011, 08:29 PM

Guys, I'm on my 2nd G1 Insight ... and I want to do this. Does anyone know where to find some rubber or plastic to do extend the facia lower as in this picture of a 911:

Cobb · 12-07-2011, 08:57 PM

I used a strip of lawn edging to make an air dam for my geo metro. I cut it to length and used zip ties to secure it.

Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

**jeff652** · 12-07-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gderian

Trying to resurrect a very old thread here.

I have recently blocked my upper intake figuring that would smooth air flow over the hood. A close look at the lower grille shows the horizontal slats to be air foils. I've seen this design before in the early Ford Capri. These slats stall the air flow at higher speeds effectively creating a built-in radiator block.

Has anyone seen a write-up or an explanation of this for the Insight grille?

Very clever. So no add on radiator block is really needed for the bottom grill. It's already designed in. Good job Honda!

dtlee · 12-09-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobb

I used a strip of lawn edging to make an air dam for my geo metro. I cut it to length and used zip ties to secure it.

Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

Very smart, dude!!! Now... am I willing to rivet into my poor bumper... hahahha

nasphere · 12-13-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff652

Very clever. So no add on radiator block is really needed for the bottom grill. It's already designed in. Good job Honda!

I for some reason am not so optimistic about the slats acting as a "radiator block". The only blocking I see them doing is keeping rocks and road debris from damaging or destroying the AC condenser/radiator.

If you look at all cars, they almost all have slats in lower radiator openings.

Our cars are 67hp maximum. Nascar uses REALLY small radiator inlets for 750+hp engines running constant duty. I would say (as also found on ecomodder) we only need about 4sq" for the ENTIRE front bumper. A great example is the renault vesta 2 with about 6sq" of radiator inlet and it snagged 147mpg at 63mph.

Another place of improvement is the ass of the car. If we replace the rear bumper with one that has sharp edges like the prius (to finish off the kamback), we can drop drag significantly without changing looks much at all. The trade off is cross wind stability, since our cars are nearly 60/40 weight distribution, the rear may become a little loose in heavy winds.