Maverick's Own Gas Saving Creation

[Maverick]

Well, since gas price is hurting everyone's wallet I am willing to share my idea and creation of gas saving trick
2002 3.0 TIP Quattro. IK20 plugs, Bremi CP, GIAC file, Borla exhaust, CAI with shield, and some other stuff is my performance mod so far.
last summer, I didnt have belly pan and certainly not this, I get 20-21mpg or 330 miles in one tank driving the same as I am now. now I get 25.5mpg or 430 miles in one tank.
front bumper and it keeps on to the rear


It looks cheap and ghetto, but so what. I get 25.5 mpg now with 90% highway and 10% city.
I get stuck in traffic from time to time on the highway and I cruise at 55mph-75mph on the highway but I mostly stay at 60-65mph when I can.

the cost of doing this was $120 and labor is free. I did this myself

Do not try to do this yourself if you don't know what you are doing.

I know you guys probably flame me that it will make noise, it may fall off, it may be bad for the engine and stuff.
actually, it doesnt make a noise if you do it right. It's wont fall off, I did 100bucks on the highway for a period of time and it didn't fall off.
the only thing it will get hot when I am stuck in traffic with constant stop and go. the temp needle doesnt move an inch.
and this setup protects the undercarriage from everything

If you do it right, It's not dangerous, It won't harm the car. I have been running this for at least two months, I am still alive and I haven't kill my car or anybody else
this is cheaper than buying a belly pan anyway.

[DELUX]

I don't think it does anything. 25.5mpg @ 90/10% Highway/City is actually less than what I get with my big injector program. I get about 28mpg on 90% highway tanks. This is one of those things like the intake turbine that they used to sell on late night tv. I understand your idea but:

1.) The Engineers take aerodynamics into mind when designing the cars and they implement that in the design in ways that actually make a difference.

2.) Your car is simply not large nor fast enough of an object to gain any type of increase in economy from something like an air deflector or a spoiler. An airplane that travels at 250+ mph will get a benefit from being extra aero dynamic. A car that travels at 65mph... not a chance. A 170mph super-light race car, yes. 4 door sedan? Nope.

I would just take it off. It'll only get in the way and most likely cause problems stemming from your exhaust system heating up and melting shit left and right...

[manhertm]

How much is the improvement in MPG? 25.5 MPG for mostly hwy sounds kinda low.

[Pr0n]

According to Audi, you're supposed to get 19mpg city and 27mpg highway for a 3.0. I'm not sure what other mods you have that could greatly affect your mileage besides the chip & catback.

[DELUX]

How much is the improvement in MPG? 25.5 MPG for mostly hwy sounds kinda low.

Seriously though... it's probably causing a performance loss due to the added weight and high engine temps stemming from this...

Didn't realize he was a 3.0, but still, this has 'bad idea' written all over it. Darwin Olympics type of material here possibly...

[kwimberly]

I think it is the first step in a James Bond sled-car. You just need to work on the retractable wheels then hit the slopes.

[Maverick]

you really have no idea what kind of mileage i use to get last summer. I get 20-21mpg doing the same !!!
that pieces I put on are aluminum which are light. how much weight are there total? 10lbs most.
if you dont think it's a big improvement, then dont do anything. I am just here to share

[DELUX]

I'm just thinking that this could be potentially dangerous.

[Maverick]

i have been running this for like 2 months at least. nothing happened. you have to do it right!!!! that's the most important thing

[kwimberly]

Just make sure you check it often. I'm sure you have it mounted so that wind isn't getting between it and the real underbody, but if it does, and if it starts to pull the pieces out, and if the pieces fall off on the highway, and if someone runs over them and the screws, and if that person eats pavement - you will be seriously, seriously screwed!

[Maverick]

don't you think I know better than that? I made sure that I installed this properly so it won't fall off or the screws won't be loose.
the other best way to know it, when I close my door, if there is a aluminum sound, then I know it is loose. so far. no problem.

[mxrz]

Ghetto ground effects! Now add a couple of venturi tunnels

[a2gtinut]

VW Lupo 3L had some special underbody panels.
I never looked under to confirm it.

[quattro2003]

I was always wondering about a belly pan that's harder than plastic. I know that the belly pan is very engineered and keeps the engine cooler than without. But I scrape a lot and I'm always afraid of cracking the oil pan.

[Maverick]

well with this aluminum sheet you won't because it's more durable. I have scraped a few times left with minor scratches. maybe it's because I paid 120 for this big ass piece of aluminum

[Siggiepop]

you'd probably be better off with a lighter battery and if you're really serious change ur front two seats to some carbon fiber seats (recaro?) and light weight wheels. Also 2 months really isn't that long. I personal would use the OEM belly pan its been designed to be more aerodynamic that those plates there my friend told me that. Works @ audi for the past 3 years working on all S models.

[Maverick]

i am running 17" OZ Superleggeras

[PRY4SNO]

Hey I for one think it's kind of cool.

Neato.

[kwan]

If I was the tech that had to do your maintenance, I'd definitely charge you extra. I don't see the savings. Perhaps your previous reduction in mileage is from not having the OEM belly pan. They have channel ducts in them for a reason. To pull air through the engine and keep temps down. Now you're basically keeping the heat in by reducing air flow. I'm waiting to see the "Tornado"

[Ill 3.0]

good work. I haven't had one for a year, think I'll just buy the OEM one though since I don't have too many steep inclines here to scrape much.

[bavaria75]

So with your 3.0 on a 70mph criuse you should get up to 27-28mpg this is what I get on a sunny day here in CA. It's a manual and I have the belly pan (what by the way is called "Sound dampener" in the VW/Audi etka). As the term is called so I believe it does more to reduce sound from getting out of the engine bay and dirt from getting into it than try to reduce air stream below your car.
If you like to save some gas (money) on the Highway maybe think off:
Get a manual
Check your engine as 20-21 on highway is not normal even with your mods I guess
Reduce weight (Spare tire, empty your trunk, get ride of roof attachments)
Switch off the AC
Stay behind another car or truck to use airdrag
Let the car roll, everytime you hit the brakes you burning energy (this is more true on the city, but you guys will be surprised how the mpg goes up if you "roll" to a stop and don;t use the throttle/brake technic, specially when you have a tip, you do it without knowing.

As for your belly pan, I would be definitly concerned about the heat, drill some holes into it or make some air slots to get the a airflow going.

What is next for you:
How about a aluminum disc on your wheels
Smaller side mirrors
Put tape on all chassis panel gap

[Maverick]

get the fuck out of my thread.
what the fuck is your problem?
I know better than this

[bavaria75]

Sorry, it was not my attention to piss you off, I was trying to be funny towards the end. I agree the last two suggestion where kind a silly with the mirror and the duct tape.
However the wheel cover would properly gain you some drag, do some investigation or just look at a Civic / Prius hyprid wheel designs.

But you are right, what do I care if your 3.0 need 21 -25 mpg or if it burns up in flames on the side of the highway when weather gets warmer up in MA. Or if all your sealing, hoses, rubber plastic parts wear quicker than normal due to the higher heat in your car.
Sorry again Maverick, and I'm out.