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Thread: Sealing the hood gap

  1. #1
    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Sealing the hood gap

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    We were just starting to discuss this in the DIY coroplast grill block thread, and I decided to split it off to a new thread as its a separate topic.

    Our cars have a pretty large hood gap IMO. It can't be good for aerodynamics, and it can't be good for fast warm up times. As I mentioned in my other thread, I have blocked off all of the grill area, but this is the one area that remains. Most other cars seem to have some form of gasket on the hood so it seals air off from the engine bay. However, our Mirages do not have this feature. They simply have a large gap that allows air to gush in or out at will.

    Here is the underside of my 2014 DE Mirage. As you can see, its just metal.

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    In comparison, here is a 2004 Honda Civic under hood picture. They seem to have gasket around the headlights, and a small piece to the right of the hood latch.

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    In any case, I think it would be a good idea to close up this gap. It'll improve aerodynamics as well as speed up warm up times a little which is always welcome. It should also be pretty simple. A little bit of adhesive backed weather stripping should do the job I would imagine.

    Other ideas and thoughts are very welcome. I am pretty sure that a few others have done this. If you guys could ante in, that would be great!


    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

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log 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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    I had really considered trying to make a flap with tape that covered the gap (while I was taping off the 'mail-slot').

    My thought was that it would flatten to the hood and cover the gap when at speed, but I was worried it would just vibrate like a humming-bird and drive me nuts.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log 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)


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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    I hadn't thought about trying to make it flush with the outside... It would be better aerodynamically for sure. But, would it make a noticeable difference? I kind of doubt it. But, I do like the idea.
    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

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log 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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    Senior Member timw4mail's Avatar
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    If only the bumper cover were magnetic...then you could just use a magnet strip on the gap.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2018 Mirage SE 1.2 automatic: 33.6 mpg (US) ... 14.3 km/L ... 7.0 L/100 km ... 40.4 mpg (Imp)


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    Quote Originally Posted by timw4mail View Post
    If only the bumper cover were magnetic...then you could just use a magnet strip on the gap.
    Do you think the hood is magnetic enough to hold a thin strip of magnet over both? Or could one glue a few strong magnets to the bumper cover and have a removable gap-filler?

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log 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)


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    Senior Member Mitz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Daox View Post
    ...
    I am pretty sure that a few others have done this. If you guys could ante in, that would be great!
    Sure .. I have put this in 2016 .. from AliExpress

    Flat D Shape Car seal strip
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    Last edited by Mitz; 02-02-2019 at 05:39 AM.

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  11. #7
    Mitz, is that tamper proof tape on your rad cap?

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


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    Senior Member fifteenwindow's Avatar
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    I used an old road bike inner tube. Cut a few inches from the valve, rolled ends held with binder clips, lightly inflated just to hold its shape. It just lays there, not attached to anything.

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        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 53.1 mpg (US) ... 22.6 km/L ... 4.4 L/100 km ... 63.8 mpg (Imp)


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    lol I love the aluminum foil hat to keep the aliens from peering into you engine compartment...
    Sorry. Had to say it,, you guys were thinking it too...

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    Fummins (01-17-2019)

  17. #10
    I was thinking the dealer may have skipped a step during the pdi.


        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


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