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miltonwaddums
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2008
16:45:10
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 Subject: Aero mods
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Hey everyone,
I'm tired of paying for gas! I average about 16 mixed right now but I am looking for around 20. Future engine mods may be mark viii or taurus fan and HO cams.
After looking at the current state of my 4.7 engine, and a few mods, the only thing to help the low mpg's are more a vehicle dynamics issue, specifically aerodynamics.
I like my ride height (torsion bar lift +32" tires) and I dont want to drop it or put on skinny short tires. If I really cared about gas I'd start there I guess. (Or just trade it in for a ford fiesta).
That said, I've created a list of possible aero mods I'd like to try:
- Cover Fog lights: lexan plastic perhaps?
- Tape off parts of grill: I'm not sure how to make this look good though.
- Tonneau cover: I know this has been covered with mixed results so far, but everything points to about a .6mpg gain.
- UNDERBODY AERO (the biggie): more below.
Underbody Aero thoughts:
I'm thinking of buying a skid plate package (possible used from a junk yard) and using that to mount the panels. The first and foremost points of interest is the gap between the bottom edge of the doors and the bottom of the frame rails. Second is the front skid plate area. I would like to create a relatively smooth panel to go from the bottom of the airdam to the bottom of the front skidplate. Also, perhaps extending the sir down almost straight down a few inches. For panel material, I was thinking of lexan plastic with a single heavy layer of fiberglass wet laid up on top of it. Then simply painting it black. I have also thought that leading edge and trailing edge diffusers may help also.
any aeronautical engineers out there? has anyone tried this? Any thoughts on this? Am I crazy?
Jay
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1hotkadota
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2008
17:07:12
|  RE: Aero mods
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Message:
You are absolutely correct sir.
Lexus is now using dimpled version of what your talking about on the bottom of the car specifically for aerodynamics. Like a golf ball, the dimples on the plates reduce surface area therefore reducing drag. I've thought of the same thing but got lost in modding and forgot about it. This should increase your mileage as well as top end speed.
Definitely go for the cams. I did and was very pleased with the results. So far, I've got the cams, intake, exhaust, FMS 24lb injectors, and Superchips and I get about 24mpg hwy with a light foot. I average around 18 in the city with spirited driving (is there any other kind?).
Although my truck might weigh less than yours. I have a 2002 RC 2wd auto with the 4.7 and a 3.55 open diff.
Right now I'm running 30.5" tires on 17" R/T rims. 285/60/R17 Kumho Ecstas.
If you have some extra cash, you should switch your gears to 4.10's or 4.56's. I've heard of people getting 1-2 mpg better with gear changes. But only with the 4.7 because it's rev happy.
Good luck with the aerodynamics and keep me informed of your progress. This idea of yours will also find applications in the racing field as well. Which I want to get into soon!
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2008
17:58:07
|  RE: Aero mods
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I'm pretty sure the dimpling causes a thin layer of turbulent flow next to the surface, and that helps promote laminer flow, like it does in sailboats. It doesn't reduce the surface area.
milt..
The 4.7 comes with an excellent stock electric fan set up, that comes on by temp, or by simply turning the a/c switch on, even if the compressor is not turning.
Just take off the rotating clutch and fan in one piece, like I and others did right after the 4.7 came out.
I've been blet driven clutch/fan less for over 5 years, never even runs hot, and I live in SE TX.
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1hotkadota
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2008
15:20:49
| RE: Aero mods
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Blah blah blah. Still reduces drag no matter how it works.
If you really want to help out with mileage.
Get a cold air intake, redo the exhaust including the y-pipe. Port and polish your throttle body and get a Superchips.
Also if you could find some 19lb injectors with the 4 hole design, you will get better throttle response and mileage.
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Kowalski
GenIII
2/27/2008
16:33:31
|  RE: Aero mods
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"Blah blah blah" ? Todds explanation is the correct one - do we really need to put someone down like that for posting factual info ?
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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1hotkadota
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2008
11:40:55
| RE: Aero mods
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Damn Kowalski, panties a little wadded up?
No one put him down. Just a smartass response.
Chill man. Not like anyone else even reads this thread or this nearly dead site anyways.
I don't see you contributing anything but triffling remarks to stick up for Todd.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2008
11:47:14
| RE: Aero mods
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look guys, if the regulars on here start bickering between one another and stop posting, then the jack@ flamer/s are going to win.
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Kowalski
GenIII
2/28/2008
15:30:54
| RE: Aero mods
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Another uncalled for smartass response by 1hotkadota, directed at me this time. I think he means trifling; and those familiar with this site know that isn't true - I post helpful info here on a regular basis. Let's take daddio's excellent advice.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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BMac
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2008
09:33:21
| RE: Aero mods
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Message:
Back to the aeromods.
I put an airdam and side skirts on my 98 Sport cc. I also designed and built an aerocap you can see on gassavers.org in the garage and a few other mods and my mpg was up around 22 on the hwy from 18. This year I'm back down to 16. The OBDII system just rests the ecu back to what it was from the factory. I got a 95 now with a totally new fuel system, carbed with more mods so I can control it.
OBD is Dominating Big Oil backwards!
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