Lower & Upper Grille Block Ideas (Toyota Echo)

[jimepting]

Had the same rust problem when I tried that on an Echo. A cheap solution would be to sand them, prime them with a red lead spray can, and paint to the color you like.

[Tango Charlie]

I liked the silver color of the bare pans when I installed mine, so I hit them with some clear coat from a spray can. It's held up pretty decent. It was cold out when I did it, and I didn't prep them very good. Going into the second winter now, and they're starting to reveal my shortcutting ways.
They're so darn cheap, I'll just make a new set next spring.

[CigaR007]

Finally had an engine block heater installed on Friday !

Some of the mechanics at the dealership were impressed by the lower grille blocks...They said it gave the Echo a subtle and unique look.

[echo-francis]

Finally had an engine block heater installed on Friday !

you will really see a difference in the shorter trips =)

[ecofreak]

You could possibly pop plastic/aluminum pans over the steel pans or just go with a clear coat. In my situation, it would be cheaper to buy stainless or aluminum pans.

I really like your grille block. If you're using Bowden cabling with a bike brake, you should look into a Tektro lever with a brake lock/release and just have the thing sprung open, shut close (so you don't overheat if the cabling breaks). You can easily use elastic springs or metal springs to accomplish that.

I have an Echo in the family that is possibly going to be inherited by me, but it's an auto. I'm really interested in polishing it up (it being a smoker's car, yet has no smoke smell) and trading it in for a manual version (because honestly, most dealerships will have no trouble selling an automatic versus the manual). Thanks for providing info on your mods to your sedan!

[alohaspirit]

my auto has been doing great


34-36mpg in the city

[DIMS]

Really fun reading your Echo adventures
I also have an Echo with an AMSOil BMK 13 remote oil kit. Normal Echo is ~3.3 quarts of oil & with this kit I'm at 6.3 quarts. I was just thinking that the extra oil capcity might be a good way to keep engine temps down? I really don't know for sure but I can say I don't ever remember hearing my fan go on?
Anyway just a thought..

[Daox]

Might be a good way to keep engine temps down. But, you also want your engine to warm up quickly, and that'll hurt it in that respect. I'd say design the lube system to lube the engine and the cooling system to cool it properly.

[DIMS]

Originally Posted by Daox

Might be a good way to keep engine temps down. But, you also want your engine to warm up quickly, and that'll hurt it in that respect. I'd say design the lube system to lube the engine and the cooling system to cool it properly.

Hmmm? Well for reference it takes 7min in the winter & ~3 in the summer to get to operating temp. Are you saying it should happen even faster?

Another idea might be those coolant additives that racers use to keep their temps in check....something like Hyper Lube Super Coolant or Redline Water Wetter Super Coolant???

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Looks really good. Makes your car unique in a subtle way. I like. Do most of the lower grill too. Duct air to the radiator through the remaining opening. That would look cool too.

No trying to hijack, but I appreciate what you've done here. I'm thinking of doing nearly the same thing with my RAM...