Permanent Aluminum Grill Block and Belly Pan

[Roman]

I found a shop where they sell rubber strips from 2inch. I will use one of those to make an airdam. Rubber is flexible so when i hit somethink it wil bend. Maybe is that also an idea for your car.

[azraelswrd]

A problem with rubber is that it can bend too much or worse, wobble and oscillate under airflow and that can create more turbulence than you may care for.

Since you've go so much of the front belly panned, a front air dam is probably not necessary. Front/side/rear wheel fairings might be helpful but conversely will entail more work on your part. (My Scion also has those little tabs ahead of the front wheels -- also a mini pan under the fender)

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

A general comment about inside vs outside blocks:

I have noticed a (small) difference between taping (the outside) in courses starting at the bottom of the grill vs starting at the top. The only difference is the direction of the overlap -- the air is catching and lifting the seam if you start at the bottom, and this then drags a bit more!

So, if that small detail makes a difference, then blocking the inside of the grill can't be as effective as blocking the outside.

[Will]

Heck of a job! Looks great and kudoos on the recycle!!!

[Markmysite]

Originally Posted by azraelswrd

Since you've go so much of the front belly panned, a front air dam is probably not necessary.

That's sort of what I was thinking after reading a bunch of car magazine and other aerodynamic articles. It will likely increase my overall frontal area and counter the gains I'd see if I do the full belly pan.

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hi,

A general comment about inside vs outside blocks:

I have noticed a (small) difference between taping (the outside) in courses starting at the bottom of the grill vs starting at the top. The only difference is the direction of the overlap -- the air is catching and lifting the seam if you start at the bottom, and this then drags a bit more!

So, if that small detail makes a difference, then blocking the inside of the grill can't be as effective as blocking the outside.

That's interesting on the overlap of the tape. I was thinking of trying some test runs with painters tape over the upper grill.... then with both grills taped ... and then both grills and fogs covered to see if the MPG changes at all. So go from bottom up .... that makes sense ... especially if the tape starts to lift at all.

[Cd]

Very, very professional looking.
I really like these 'stealth' factory looking mods. that you guys are doing.
Thanks for posting pictures.

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by Markmysite

I'm surprised that they're are not more Vibe/Matrix users doing the aero mods. I have found tons of info on other cars, but not much on these.

We're on our own, Markmysite.
Be watching for my new grilleblock...it's almost done..

[ShadeTreeMech]

I'm wondering if anyone has thought of my idea for a grille block.

I was planning on using insulating foam sealant (the kind you get in a can) and squirting it into the gaps between the gaps on the grille. After time to let it harden, I would trim off the excess with a knife, paint it black to match the rest of the grille, then reinstall it. THe beauty of this idea, other than the cheapness of it, is it wouldn't be hard to push the foam out of the grille if I go into an overheating situation. But done right, I think it would look very clean.