Stealthy Grille Block

[Hauki]

I found some cheap plastic in the basement today so i thought I would make a prototype grille block until I get some polycarbonate/perpex and do it properly.

I was going to attach it the front, but the grille mounting bolts behind made it very easy to attach and it makes it more stealthy.

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I had a quick run out to the shops in it, temperature didn't go any higher than usual, but to be fair I only done 30MPH. I think (& hope!) the engine temp will rise a bit once in 5th gear and doing 50-60mph, because now I am at 88°C and the fan doesn't come on until 102°C, so I have a lot of room to manouvre.

I haven't had chance to check if it affects FE. But this and my lower grille block installed the other day should hopefully yield some results.

[mcrews]

vere nice!!!

[Hauki]

OK today I went for a run and kept an eye on temp gauge.

Just to refresh, I have blocked both upper and lower grille on the car now so there is none/very little airflow coming through to the rad.

Today was a hot one, it was 31°C (88°F), it very rarely goes above 33/34°C (93°F) so I could pretty much judge today if I could run year round with these blocks on.

My temp gauge went to 98°C (208F) one way, 96°C (204F) on the way back. I didn't employ any hypermiling techniques as I wanted constant load on the engine for accurate temps. The fan comes on at 102°C (215F) on my car so I would say averaging 97°C on a sweltering hot day like today is pretty much a success.

I hit 45MPG / 37.5MPG (UK/US) without using any hypermiling, this is a new record, but not until next weekend and I travel to the city 50miles away will I get a clear picture of just how effective it is where this route is where I do my calculations on every time.

But for me, this is what it's all about

I hope it's still this fun when there is no improvements to be made and you just take your great milage for granted.

[California98Civic]

Enviable result. My fan goes on at something around 208F. And even in cooler weather, with only an 80% block my fan turns on.