5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09

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• fuel economy
• hypermiling
• DIY

It's an accepted notion that cars roll off the assembly line tuned perfectly for every condition. In reality, automakers need to meet specifications for a variety of parameters—ground clearance, crash testing, fuel efficiency, ride and handling, design, NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and aerodynamics, to name a few. And to meet all these demands, cars are chock-full of compromises. For over 60 years, hot rodders (or "tuners," as they're now known) have modified everything from a '32 Ford to a '92 Civic for better performance. Gear heads take stock rides and push the speed envelop as far as it will go—and sometimes beyond—to cut a quicker ET at the dragstrip or a quicker lap time around a road course.

But with gas soaring past $4 a gallon in the United States, a new type of hot rodding has taken hold with the growing cognoscenti of aeromodders. Instead of tuning for quicker quarter-mile time slips, these modders alter the vehicle's aerodynamics in order to reduce drag and increase fuel economy. It's a relatively easy way to add passive fuel-sipping gains to just about any car. And after seeing so much of this tricked-out DIY trend in the growing library of hypermiling tips across the Web and on the forums at my Ecomodder online community, I wonder if the big OEMs couldn't learn a thing or two.

Vehicles are designed to meet the demands of everyday life in an amazingly complex variety of conditions, from a scathing-hot Death Valley dirt road to a bone-chilling Alaskan two-laner in the dead of winter. But in times like these, backyard modders are willing to trade some of that varied-terrain capability for increased efficiency. Ecomodders can look at a car and see right away what needs to be improved to maximize fuel economy, whether it's a rough underbelly, uncovered rear-wheel wells or a gaping grille.

These mods are inexpensive to make. And just about any mileage enthusiast can potentially do it, since ecomodding doesn't really require hardcore mechanical skills. Here's a look at some DIY tricks from real guys around the country who are pushing the envelope on aeroefficiency—and bumping up the miles per gallon.

CLICK FOR MORE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods
Grille Aero Treatment	Truck Bed Cap	Boattail	Wheel Skirts	Undercap

14. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
Website: www.brokenhammer.com
Good Job. lowering the cd is the first step. using low rolling resistant tires will also help. It's great to see initiative.

13. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
Doesn't surprise me and I've always known that aerodynamics improve gas mileage on the highway as well as speed. I've know about most of those types of mods since I was a kid, over 30 years ago. I've always improved my mileage and that of my parents vehicles when they were alive since I was a kid. It would be cheaper from the factory if they do it!

12. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
I think all of these are great ideas, even the not so finished looking boat-tail:) I think the grill blocker is the best one, but the car manufacturers are worried that if they put it on it will not open at the right moment due to mechanical failure and fry the engine. It is a realistic worry. However, they could do like they did with the "pop up' lights they used to have on cars, make them so if the system fails, it fails "open". 70% of energy lost while driving at higher speeds is due to aerodynamic drag. This is why the Aptera does not even have rear view mirrors (they are using cameras at this point). I think we can have cool cars that are aerodynamic also. By demanding high MPG vehicles we are going to push the manufactures to make aerodynamic cars....

11. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
The crx's stock rear angle it too steep, its close but not shallow enough, As for dignity , I can beat any hybrid on the market. The most recent incarnation of the Areo-CRX has full rear wheel skirts the photo is a bit old. I have lots of dignity, I can drive across the entire county on 2 11 gallon tanks of gas. I also have a few extra feet of cargo space now.. How thats for dignity?

10. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
can someone tell me why the moody shetly turbo diesel 1979 capri was shelfed.80mpg highway 57.2round town (perkins diesel)

9. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
Gee, I wonder what I can add to my 72 Chevy 4X4 to make it more aerodynamic?

8. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
Hi PM, You left out the wheel air-dams. These do not look like much, but you wont find a production car under .27 Cd (Prius, Insight, LS-400, MBs) without them. And they are easy to make, just use a splash gard on the front instead of the front of the wheel well, and cut it down a little shorter.

7. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
Come on dude, that CRX looks ridiculous. Looks like a pinata...If someone rear-ends you does candy fall out?

6. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
Considering the CRX is a Kamm back design, the boat tail alone gains very little.

5. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
Lol at the boatail. Saves you a few bucks on fuel, AND takes away your dignity. What more could you want.

4. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
how much would one cost for a 98 gmc sonoma

3. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
That boattail weighs far less than 500 lbs. Head on over to ecomodder.com and check it out. The user with whom the car belongs to is ebacherville.

2. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
That boattail on the crx, thats my car, and the tail adds about 75 pounds its all foam and a layer of fiberglass over it.. its hollow and ads lot more cargo space, my MPG is 24% over the rated MPG for my car.. 53 mpg tank average, better than a Toyota Prius.

1. RE: 5 Real DIY Aerodynamic Mods Detroit Can Add for MPGs in '09
That boattail is hilarious! Add 500 lbs of bondo to a CRX and watch the gas milage improve!

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