Some nice tercels

[Petros]

The drag coefficient can be calculated with a few simple coast down tests. You have to know the exact weight of the car and driver, and they you time with a stop watch how long it takes (on a level road without wind) to slow from 70 to 60 mph, and then from 60 to 50, and then from 30 to 20, etc. This gives overall drag at each of the average speeds from 65, 55, etc. If you plot that against speed you can then determine drive line friction (which would be linear) and aero drag. There is a calculation to convert that to lbs drag. And you divide the cross sectional area by the drag and speed equation, to find CD.

This is also a good way to test a wing or spoiler to see if it helps reduce drag. No calculations needed, if it takes a few seconds more to drop from 70 to 60 mph, you know you reduced the drag.

If you know how much hp it takes to drive the car at a steady 65 mph, and you know your fuel economy at that speed, you can also calculate the engine efficincy with the same information. Energy in vs. Energy out.

[takza]

I think one of our orig members claimed CD for the wagon was .28...believe it or not. I think the R&T article on the front page has coast down info? Do know it takes ~ 10 HP to keep the wagon going 60 mph?

[SynthDesign]

Hey SynthDesign,

I couldn't figure out a way to contact you from that pics page so I was hoping that you were one here. I guess I should have searched the user list .

Were those bumpers easy to make? How heavy are they?

The bumpers were super easy to make. All and all ... the bumpers added 22lbs over the stock ones. But now I have a 2" receiver, step guards, a place to mount a winch in front and I've been hit at least 10 times in parking lots and been rear ended 6 times and barely a dent to my vehicle. Last week someone was pulling out of Factoria mall and hit my front bumper and light guard. 4 cover bars were ripped off, the only damage to my vehicle( it'll take me 4 minutes to weld them back on and 30secs of Krylon love. There was plastic bumper pieces, mangled metal pieces and red tail light crumbles every where, but other driver fled the scene. I would of loved to see the damage they did to their car or van.

Also if you make your bumpers well enough, shoping cart bowling can be an option too

[SynthDesign]

The drag coefficient can be calculated with a few simple coast down tests. You have to know the exact weight of the car and driver, and they you time with a stop watch how long it takes (on a level road without wind) to slow from 70 to 60 mph, and then from 60 to 50, and then from 30 to 20, etc. This gives overall drag at each of the average speeds from 65, 55, etc. If you plot that against speed you can then determine drive line friction (which would be linear) and aero drag. There is a calculation to convert that to lbs drag. And you divide the cross sectional area by the drag and speed equation, to find CD.

This is also a good way to test a wing or spoiler to see if it helps reduce drag. No calculations needed, if it takes a few seconds more to drop from 70 to 60 mph, you know you reduced the drag.

If you know how much hp it takes to drive the car at a steady 65 mph, and you know your fuel economy at that speed, you can also calculate the engine efficincy with the same information. Energy in vs. Energy out.

Man I bet you math good.
just reading your post gets me wondering......

[scotisha]

Hey Synthdesign,

Do you still have the plans for those bumpers? and do you feel like make up a front one for me? I am down in Vancouver very often so I could hop across the border to grab it. If you don't have time or the desire to make some more up I have a friend up here who welds that could fab them up. Thanks

S

[SirNik83]

whats up with the 4age engine swap. I've always wanted to know the details on how its done and what custom parts do i need.

My best friend was an MR2 guy for a while... he just sold his last one, and he still has a 4age that he stored at my house. He told me the other day that if i wanted it, take it. he has no use for it now that the last MR2 is gone.

I have no plans to do this swap anytime soon. but now that I'm a 4age owner... I'd love to know what you have done to make it work.