[aardvarcus]

---Intro---

Hello all,

Some of you may remember a few months back I posted a pickup truck project. I have worked on it some in my limited spare time, but I ran into a few issues with some of my ideas. While I am still committed to working on that project when I have the time, my daily driver (2001 Celica GT Auto) has been replaced with a new daily driver (2002 Celica GTS Manual). Since I am planning on keeping this car for a while and since I drive it a lot more than my truck I am putting a priority on getting some mods done to this car, and will deal with the truck when I am happy with the car.

First off, I am doing general maintenance and upkeep to the car, and am establishing a MPG baseline. My next step is to get some instrumentation and do some partial grill blocks. Further out would be a belly pan and other aero mods and distant future would potentially be a gear swap.

---Body---
Attached is a photo of the car. This car has the “Action Package” front end on it, which has a LOT more openings in it than the normal front end (shown in the small side picture) that was on my old car. In my opinion, there is way too much air getting into the engine bay, the car takes forever to get warm, and never really gets to the “normal” temperature on the digital display. So obviously I am looking at doing some grill blocks. There are seven openings on the front of the car in five general groups. There is the Hood Scoop, Upper Grill, Lower Grill, Fog Lights, and Fake Ducts.

Lower Grill- This opening feeds the radiator. My plan is to do a full size plug that fits against the wire screen that protects the radiator. I would incorporate one main opening in the center of the plug to let air to the radiator. I figured I would ghetto in a temporary, and then fix it up real nice when I know the size opening I want. I am guessing about a 75% block would do nicely. I am also considering making a few additional smaller plugs towards the sides that could be added or removed for summer/winter adjustment in the final version.

Upper Grill- This cools the upper part of the engine bay, and hits the exhaust header. I am planning on blocking most but not all of this opening, probably 90% or so. Based on how the engine compartment is laid out, I don’t think the air through the radiator gets to this part of the bay that well. I will investigate this some more.

Hood Scoop- Ok, I don’t have a clue what benefit the air coming in here has, it looks to be mainly hitting the firewall. I think a 100% block would be fine here.

Fog Lights- This area is pointless, and I would do a 100% block, but I worry a little about my fog lights overheating. I was thinking of a block that included a Lexan cover with a small opening to let a little air hit the light.

Fake Ducts- I don’t even know the intended point of these, except possibly for track cars to remove the covers and duct them to the front brakes. The covers jut out, and I am planning to replace them with something flush.

For material, I am planning on using Extruded Polystyrene Foam board cut to fit and painted. After I tweak the design and get them good, I may redo them and cover with fiberglass. I have looked at a lot of the projects on here and have grazed a lot of ideas.

So, does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on my endeavor?