dimlight65 Posted September 5, 2023 Report Share Posted September 5, 2023 Since I am about to do a shock, strut, and brake job on Maxwell (my Smart Car), I figured it was time for it to have its own thread. Walk around after a wash... Size comparison to the Dajiban... 20mm/35mm lowering springs and 15" Faux BBS wheels... Smart Madness piggyback ECU thingy (Yeah, I know. It probably doesn't really do anything)... K&N style (made by BMC, but y'all know who K&N is) washable air filter... Swiss Cheese'd air box (Yeah, I know. It probably doesn't do anything either)... Count the pedals... That's right, it's a 5-speed manual... And a cheeky decal just to let other divers know what's what... Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2023 And now the real reason I started this thread. Cool or stupid? I'd like to say, "I needed another $10 to get Amazon Prime shipping..." or some other bullshit, but the truth is, I thought they might be cool. And I fully acknowledge that they probably... ok, definitely, don't do anything. I already suspect John's vote will be "Stupid" but I'd like to know what the rest of the Peanut Gallery has to say. As an aside, I would probably mount them further back on the wing, but they wouldn't stay there for the pictures. Aaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnd discuss! Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2023 (edited) I forgot to mention the "Turbo Enloudener"... Because I think it's hilarious when my little "economy car" goes Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapsssssshhhhhhhh! Edited September 5, 2023 by dimlight65 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Those things came and went in (looking back) in what seems like about ten minutes. I haven't seen one in ages. Therefore, the car is kinda cool. The baby shark fins on the back give it a Mad Max vibe. I'm on the fence about them, but fully support what you like. I say display them loud and proud. Hopefully, they make you feel the tingles in your pants. I just remembered they have 3 lug nuts per wheel... 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Vortex generators to delay laminar flow separation. I don't know if a total waste of time on a car shaped like a wedge of cheese, or the aerodynamics are so atrocious on a Smart car that anything will make a difference. I like the look, possibly second only to the looks it gets. 1 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Duncan said: I just remembered they have 3 lug nuts per wheel... The 1st and 2nd generation (W450 [which we didn't get in the US] & W451) had three lug wheels. This is a 3rd gen (W453) and has four lug wheels. (The W452 is the Roadster, which we also didn't get in the US.) Sorry to "Nerd Out" on y'all like that. Edited September 6, 2023 by dimlight65 More nerdiness 1 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 I laid out some tape lines on the wing to align the vortex generators... Figured out a spacing that would work and stuck them on... And absolutely HATED it! I pulled them right back off again. We might try to attach them to the roof like I showed y'all yesterday, but I'm concerned about them sticking to the weird textured roof panel. We'll see. Quote Link to comment
EDM620 Posted September 7, 2023 Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 I don't mind them on the roof where you first had them, does give the lil beastie an "aggresive" look. Who knows, just maybe they'll make less road grime collect on the window - or more??🤔 1 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 43 minutes ago, EDM620 said: I don't mind them on the roof where you first had them, does give the lil beastie an "aggresive" look. Yeah, I liked them there too. We're going to try one in the center and drive around for a week or two. If it stays on, we'll add the rest... probably. 44 minutes ago, EDM620 said: maybe they'll make less road grime collect on the window Is possible. Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 We played around with the vortex generators again today. My initial location fouled the hatch. Oops. But we think this layout will work... We can't go any further outside of this though or... yes, that's right! They will foul the hatch! We installed one in the center as a "proof of concept" to see if the stickum pads will adhere to the funky-assed roof that those frog eaters put on the thing... If that stays on all week, we'll install the other eight next Saturday. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 9, 2023 Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 Line them up along the curve of the end of the spoiler or the vortexes will be unequal. Spread them out across the entire back. Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 1 hour ago, datzenmike said: Line them up along the curve of the end of the spoiler or the vortexes will be unequal. Spread them out across the entire back. I tried that and it looked like ass... and since I'm convinced they are going to do absolutely nothing, the look is more important. Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 I almost forgot about the vidja I shot today! I present to you, 55 cubic inches of raw turbo fury! Now, if only we could shut off the traction control nanny without pulling the fuse to all the other nannies... stability/yaw control has saved my bacon more than once on this short wheelbase, squirrely little beast! 1 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 Parts arrived! Rotors... Drums... Pads & shoes... And shocks & struts... I'm pretty stoked to get this thing back up to its potential! Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted September 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 We still haven't gotten around to doing the brakes and shocks. Soon, I promise. But for now... the cargo cover has been in my garage for the last few years because when it is in the way, it is really in the way. I found that it was easier to just live without it. But we're cleaning out the garage so I decided to pop it back in for the time being... When I went to Velcro the the front flap down, I noticed the secondary mounting/storage location for the thing! So, after driving this car for six and a half years, I was today years old when I found out them Germans really do use their heads for more than just hat racks. Quote Link to comment
bilzbobaggins Posted September 25, 2023 Report Share Posted September 25, 2023 We just bought one of these for the lot. I am curious to see what its like. I have never driven one. Its a 2011 and sadly has a autotragic transmission. But thats retail for you. 1 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted September 28, 2023 Report Share Posted September 28, 2023 A buddy of mine wants me to build him one of these - 1 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted October 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 On 9/24/2023 at 10:12 PM, bilzbobaggins said: We just bought one of these for the lot. I am curious to see what its like. I have never driven one. Its a 2011 and sadly has a autotragic transmission. But thats retail for you. The 451s "autotragic" is the epitome of that name! It's actually an automated manual... and it is terrible! Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted October 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 On 9/28/2023 at 12:09 PM, Stoffregen Motorsports said: A buddy of mine wants me to build him one of these - That could be fun! Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted October 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 I decided to give the vortex generators one more try. First, I started laying them out where we had put them a few weeks ago. Yeah, they don't actually fit there after all. So I decided to go right back at the rear of the wing. I took off the "Chim-Chim" (CHMSL) and painted the top portion black to match the wing. Of course I didn't take a picture of that. Then I laid them out and stuck them down... And I like how they accidentally, kinda, wind up level on top, if you squint just right... I'm going to roll with them for a bit. We'll see if I still like them this time next week. 1 Quote Link to comment
frankendat Posted October 2, 2023 Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 I had hopes for the Smart when it was first released. I like Japan KEI car market (Suzuki LJ's, Micro Vans, 360's etc.) but in return for risking my life, driving something that would be little more than a speed bump to some quad super triple cab dually whatever, I at least want super MPG. Are the new Smarts getting at least 50mpg? 1 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted October 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 16 hours ago, frankendat said: I had hopes for the Smart when it was first released. I like Japan KEI car market (Suzuki LJ's, Micro Vans, 360's etc.) but in return for risking my life, driving something that would be little more than a speed bump to some quad super triple cab dually whatever, I at least want super MPG. Are the new Smarts getting at least 50mpg? The first model we got here in the US (W451) was hampered by the absolutely soul sucking automated manual gearbox. The 2016 replacement (W453, which is what I have) was available with a real, three pedal, manual 5-speed. That's the only way to have a fun Smart... oh, who am I kidding? It's the only way to have a fun ANYTHING! I'll take some pictures of the totaled Smart at our yard. The safety cell looks unharmed whereas all of the bolt-on bits shredded and dissipated all the energy of the wreck. These things are way safer than everyone thinks. As for mileage, I averaged 40mpg on my last tank, but I drive like an asshole. I could probably get upwards of 45 to 50 if I drove like... well, not me. 2 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted October 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2023 On 10/2/2023 at 4:34 PM, dimlight65 said: I'll take some pictures of the totaled Smart at our yard. The safety cell looks unharmed whereas all of the bolt-on bits shredded and dissipated all the energy of the wreck. These things are way safer than everyone thinks. So, here are the pictures. All of the front clip and suspension disappeared to dissipate energy... The body panels also absorbed some... But the "Tridion Cell" is intact... Granted, I don't know anything about the accident except what I can see here, but this one appears to have been very walk-away-from-able. Quote Link to comment
frankendat Posted October 5, 2023 Report Share Posted October 5, 2023 On 10/3/2023 at 4:33 PM, dimlight65 said: So, here are the pictures. All of the front clip and suspension disappeared to dissipate energy... The body panels also absorbed some... But the "Tridion Cell" is intact... Granted, I don't know anything about the accident except what I can see here, but this one appears to have been very walk-away-from-able. To preface, like I said I like small cars and trucks, so I am not hating. BUT, smalls cars and trucks are a very small step above motorcycles (I like motorcycles too). There is an abundance of super quad dully king whatevers in the West. A friend of mine attempted to purchase a "standard" cab truck and to do so required special order and more expense than a 4dr truck) In those big trucks, visibility of a Smart or Motorcycle is difficult, rolling over them or pushing/forcing them out of the lane or off the road is not. I don't know what it is like where you are driving, but I had a two hour hwy trip yesterday and cruised at my standard 5mph over. I was getting passed and cursed from lanes on either side and was "the slow old man" AT 5 over! I finally sped up after a couple close calls. Those speeds even full size cars and trucks turn into meat grinders. I see the mini cars and trucks for in town running max speed 45-55mph but geared low enough and torqey enough to be able to scoot out the way for short bits. I would like a review for the Smart turbo diesel if anyone ever coughs up the cash to import one. 1 Quote Link to comment
dimlight65 Posted October 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2023 I'm glad you mentioned motorcycles. Every time someone makes some comment about my car not being safe (and I'm not calling you out here Frankendat), I want to say to them, "Do you say that same retarded shit to the guy riding a Hardley?" As for speeds around here, I'm usually the one zipping along at 85-90 and cursing the soccer mom parked in the fast lane... hence my, "I drive like an asshole" comment above.😋 Is it going to get me killed someday? Perhaps, and I'm ok with it. 1 Quote Link to comment
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