My grill block idea, Sounds great right?

[RandomFact314]

So you know how people had soft tops on their cars they either had to have on or off?

Well it seems to be that way for grill blocks too...

As with soft tops, they made them automatic so you could change what you wanted, quickly, at any part of the day (with really just a push of a button)

Well I thought of this idea for grill blocks...
What about a "shade like" grill block where you can either have it open or closed, without removing the whole thing...

If you need it more opened, move the thing up or down.Check out the picture and it might help you understand.Harder to make than others but whatever.In the picture it looks like the slide come out real far, you can make them flush to the car somehow.

[Daox]

I started a project like this for my matrix. The electronic side worked great, the mechanical side had some problems. Then I got the Prius so it never got finished...

Arduino controlled actuated grill block

[cfg83]

RandomFact314 -

Yeah, some BMWs have them and the new "Eco Cruze" will also have them.

I think the most robust system is one with a cable that you use to control the open/closed position.

CarloSW2

[fatman57]

if i do a grill block i plan to buy a new radiator.

my car has the top and bottom grill opening. The top one can be covered over permanently and the radiator can be moved to the bottom one.

The new radiator will be the same width but only as high so as to cover the opening and then made deeper to compensate for the missing bit at the top.

Believe it or not it should make the radiator more efficient as before there were always parts of the radiator shielded form the airflow. Some ebay door sealant around the sides of the radiator to the bumper and hey presto

The extra airflow will be allowed through as it can, always cooling, any that can't will be forced over the car or around the sides.

[Bicycle Bob]

Rolls Royce originally had a thermostatically-controlled shutter in front of the radiator. The current grille is an imitation of that.

[modmonster]

yer this is a great idea im gonna do this with cables and a vent from homebase. im gonna fit it flat up against the radiator behind the plastic bumper inside the engine compartment.

[redyaris]

Some large trucks have thermostaticaly controled shutters infront of the radiator, perhaps you could adapt one of them. Some are air controled, some are not, so you would still need to find a control system, preferably electric...

[modmonster]

ok i've done it today. i got two standard size adjustable vents from homebase and went to town. the aim is to speed up diesel warm up time, not areo. its cable opperated using bicycle brake cables wrapped round parts of the engine as pullies. it works ok. ill test it this week and see if i get super good mpg results or warm up speed.

[modmonster]

wait. does higher radiator temperature lower efficiency? i thought it was part of the carnot cycle or something?

[Daox]

Efficiency of what? Higher radiator temps increase efficiency of the radiator...