Good to know others are also thinking the same thing. I'll start a thread for that mod by itself instead of taking it on to this one.
Good to know others are also thinking the same thing. I'll start a thread for that mod by itself instead of taking it on to this one.
Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block
Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 36.9 mpg (US) ... 15.7 km/L ... 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp)
Here you go!
Sealing the hood gap
Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block
Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)
Tyrelirwin (01-15-2019)
Thanks!
Don't suppose anyone has a printable template for doing the lower grill from coroplast?
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 36.9 mpg (US) ... 15.7 km/L ... 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp)
I can measure mine, but I don't have a printable template.
Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block
Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)
Tyrelirwin (01-15-2019)
Any updates on how this electronic grill blocks working? do you keep it on year round? does it open automatically? does it let enough air in during the summer months? Have you tried making one for a mirage?
Im interested in faster warm up times but don't want to take a mail slot block on and off depending on ambient temperature and if im going on the highway. Thats too much thinking for me.
I was also wondering if there was any particular reason that our grills are separated into two sections the mail slot and the lower grill other than aesthetics?
Since in other posts you mentioned that blocking off the mail slot makes the biggest mpg gains because of the aerodynamics(air going over the vehicle instead of around). Is the MPG gains noticeable? Do you think developing a smart mail slot cover with a servo would make noticeable mpg gains?
Im also interested in an electronic grill block because I feel (unsure if true) engine power is limited when the green coolant light is on, and because I live near a hill i go down regularly so im probably missing out on some DCFO MPG gains because I dont think DCFO occurs if the cold coolant light is on(again unsure if true).
I never moved this grill block to my Mirage. And, shortly after getting it setup on the Insight I took it off the road for some repairs. Its still not back on the road.
I'm pretty sure its all aesthetics.I was also wondering if there was any particular reason that our grills are separated into two sections the mail slot and the lower grill other than aesthetics?
I do think the MPG gain is noticable. I do not think making a mail smart mail slot cover is worth it. The lower grill is much larger and the air is right in front of the radiator, not just the very top part of it. There are lots of ways for air to go around the Mirage's radiator and locating the intake nearest the center is likely the best.Since in other posts you mentioned that blocking off the mail slot makes the biggest mpg gains because of the aerodynamics(air going over the vehicle instead of around). Is the MPG gains noticeable? Do you think developing a smart mail slot cover with a servo would make noticeable mpg gains?
I do not believe DFCO works until the engine is warmed up. I'm not sure exactly what temperature that is at, but at least according to my scangauge it does not work at some lower temps.Im also interested in an electronic grill block because I feel (unsure if true) engine power is limited when the green coolant light is on, and because I live near a hill i go down regularly so im probably missing out on some DCFO MPG gains because I dont think DCFO occurs if the cold coolant light is on(again unsure if true).
Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block
Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)
Thank you Daox, some incredibly important things learned here on grille blocking, as well about tire/wheel sizes for mpg from Top Fuel, and a lot of knowledge from other reputable posters here. I had to join this awesome community after reading days worth of postings here. Thank you all.
I made and used this my first winter. I didn’t put it on last winter, but it’s back now.
Hypermiler (01-30-2022)
My '14 Mirage has a full upper & partial lower grille block.
I just drove it for nearly 30 minutes after a cold start at -20C = -4 F, and the engine never quite got up to normal operating temperature (low 190 F range). The highest I saw was 183 F (ScanGauge II).
If I ran the heater fan on the highest setting, the temp actually dropped a few degrees, to the high 170's.
Now, this all happened under pretty efficient conditions: mostly level country road cruising at 70-75 km/h = ~43 mph, which is not very demanding on the engine. It wasn't quite generating enough "waste" heat to keep up with the heater.
An automated variable lower grille block would have helped. I wonder what the oldest & most common cars are that had this OEM feature... might be able to scavenge parts at a junk yard.
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 62.4 mpg (US) ... 26.5 km/L ... 3.8 L/100 km ... 74.9 mpg (Imp)