Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - How does a Grill Block help with engine warmup?

olds455 · 02-28-2013, 05:43 PM

I can see the 30% from the way my car has reacted to some changes.

I started with the deep airdam with a hole and upper grill block. I adjusted the hole to get the engine temp I wanted.

When winter hit, I tried some insulation on top of the engine. It was cardboard with foil on the bottom where clearance was tight, and a piece of 1" foam board with foil where ever it would fit (all 1 piece). With the added "blanket", the engine temps went up. (back up since winter took them down).

I added a full belly pan later and the temps went up a bunch more. I had left an outlet very similar to the factory style "bottom feeder" cooling with the belly pan, so Airflow from the aridam hole through the radiator was expected to be similar.

I removed the blanket while leaving everything else the same and my cruising temps dropped from 230 and cycling the fans to steady 205 to 208 or lower at the same speeds and ambient temps.

I had similar reaction to a WAI. It incresed my engine temps again but increased intake temps too much and it was modded for a compromise.

I currently run a front air entry on a curved lead into the belly pan that is 2.5" by 14" and make 195-206 as long as I don't sit. I will make the smaller to get temps back to 215 at cruise.

02-28-2013, 05:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
olds455 EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 13 Century - '03 Buick Century 90 day: 35.41 mpg (US) Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I can see the 30% from the way my car has reacted to some changes. I started with the deep airdam with a hole and upper grill block. I adjusted the hole to get the engine temp I wanted. When winter hit, I tried some insulation on top of the engine. It was cardboard with foil on the bottom where clearance was tight, and a piece of 1" foam board with foil where ever it would fit (all 1 piece). With the added "blanket", the engine temps went up. (back up since winter took them down). I added a full belly pan later and the temps went up a bunch more. I had left an outlet very similar to the factory style "bottom feeder" cooling with the belly pan, so Airflow from the aridam hole through the radiator was expected to be similar. I removed the blanket while leaving everything else the same and my cruising temps dropped from 230 and cycling the fans to steady 205 to 208 or lower at the same speeds and ambient temps. I had similar reaction to a WAI. It incresed my engine temps again but increased intake temps too much and it was modded for a compromise. I currently run a front air entry on a curved lead into the belly pan that is 2.5" by 14" and make 195-206 as long as I don't sit. I will make the smaller to get temps back to 215 at cruise.