Adding grill mesh

[scubascooby]

A couple of years ago I fitted aircon to the Impreza Sport and thought I should add some mesh behind the grill to protect the new radiator. The holes in the Subaru grill are huge and so stones do hit the rad.

I am thinking of adding some narrow mesh (5 x 2.3mm) to the upper grill opening. The upper grill doesn't do much for the rads but the air intake is above and behind the headlamp so I don't want to restrict it too much.

To maintain the appearance I am going to put the mesh behind the existing grill if I can find a way to attach it securely and neatly.

I wondered if this might help the aerodynamics a little ?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by scubascooby

A couple of years ago I fitted aircon to the Impreza Sport and thought I should add some mesh behind the grill to protect the new radiator. The holes in the Subaru grill are huge and so stones do hit the rad.

I am thinking of adding some narrow mesh (5 x 2.3mm) to the upper grill opening. The upper grill doesn't do much for the rads but the air intake is above and behind the headlamp so I don't want to restrict it too much.

To maintain the appearance I am going to put the mesh behind the existing grill if I can find a way to attach it securely and neatly.

I wondered if this might help the aerodynamics a little ?

I've seen many race cars use 13mm hardware cloth ahead of the heat-exchangers.It adds a tiny bit of turbulence(no big deal) and may keep the car in the race,should a leading car kick something up off the track.I'll give it a thumbs-up!Just check it for obstructions during "bug-season".

[basslover911]

DO IT, you can later add some form of paint (if the mesh is tight enough) to do some more grill block- and you will never notice its there.

Plus, mesh looks awesome... so racey!

[Christ]

Adding mesh is a good idea to protect your investment. Adding window screen will not restrict vacuumed airflow, but will help to redirect pressure flow.

It's like water... surface tension on water is very easy to break with a vacuum, but the more inertia you apply with an object, the harder the water becomes.

When you add something like a window screen in front of your radiator, it acts like a pre-filter, and won't allow high inertia flows, such as those coming at your car at 70mph, due to pressure buildup in front of the restrictive mesh. Vacuum flow, however, will be mostly unhindered, especially if the mesh isn't flat.

I'm not sure if that fully explains it...

I know - shoot a water hose at a window screen. The water coming out the other side is going significantly slower. Now angle that screen, and shoot the water at it again. You'll see that more of the water goes over the top of the screen, especially if you add pressure to the water. (Put your thumb over the hose) Obviously, some water will flow into the screen, but not nearly as much as if there wasn't a screen there.

Adding a vacuum to the back side of the screen reduces the pressure behind it, meaning it will "pull" more of the active high-pressure air through it before it goes up/over/around it.

Does that make more sense?

[Bicycle Bob]

Adding mesh to an opening has about the same effect as making it smaller, in terms of airflow, but it does that by creating friction, rather than deflecting the air to a region of smoother flow. So, even though it is not ideal, yes, some more air will go around, and economy should go up unless your fan has to come on more.

[Christ]

Man, I hate it when people can make things so simple to explain... I never can.

[scubascooby]

What is "window screen" ?

[Christ]

Open your door... do you have a storm door behind it? That mesh in there is "window screen". You can get it cheaply at Home Depot or Lowes, or just about any hardware store. Metal or plastic varieties.

[Peter7307]

Originally Posted by scubascooby

What is "window screen" ?

Also known as Fly wire , insect mesh , etc.

This normally sits behind a window in a separate frame so the window can be opened to let fresh air in but keep insects out.

Available in stainless steel , aluminium , plastic etc. from most hardware , home centre type places by the metre.

Pete.

[scubascooby]

Ok, I've seen this in usa films, it's not something we are likely to find in England ;-) plus our hardware shops are fairly poor anyway.

I've found some Simoni car radiator mesh that should do the job.