First prototype on grille block 1999 Swift

[Pierrel]

Well, getting my stock grille scrapped from a front collision with a deer ive decided instead of buying a new one, to try and fabricate a new one with a built in grille block.

So today i set about carving out a prototype from a styrofoam block. It wasnt as easy as i thought it would be, but in the end it looks okay. Ill be running with this setup for a while (at least a week). Hopefully it will survive and if it does ill add a layer of fiberglass resin to strenghten and to try and improve the fitment against the hood. Then add some paint to make it "stand out" less.


The "crashed" front


Tools required


Final fitment, tied together with the hood using some string.

[AndrzejM]

That's a good start for smooth front of your Sponge

[MetroMPG]

I was going to post a joke photo suggesting you could have just left the deer in the grille, but the images I found are all kind of gross.

Quick & simple. I like it. Makes me question the amount of time I'm currently spending making my grille blocks.

[Pierrel]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I was going to post a joke photo suggesting you could have just left the deer in the grille, but the images I found are all kind of gross.

Quick & simple. I like it. Makes me question the amount of time I'm currently spending making my grille blocks.

Hehe, I imagine.

Yours is going to look like its fitted stock to your insight, which is my goal as well.
I don't want people to see / question what I'm doing, I much rather prefer a subtle but yet efficient mod

Thinking about it, I'm probably going to use a harder type of cardboard to make another mold, and then reinforce it using fiberglass resin. That way It will be easier to add proper fasteners to it, as well as easier to get a proper fitment.

Temps are just below freezing in the mornings, and a few degrees above in the days, meaning a full block should be no problem at this point. I'm a bit afraid of a warm summers day, but that should be no problem if I keep the lower part of the front bumper open. I hope....

[wmjinman]

Originally Posted by Pierrel

Temps are just below freezing in the mornings, and a few degrees above in the days, meaning a full block should be no problem at this point. I'm a bit afraid of a warm summers day, but that should be no problem if I keep the lower part of the front bumper open. I hope....

Good job, Pierrel!!

I see you MPG really improved on your last tank, too. I wonder how much of that is your grille block vs. P & G?

I can tell you I've had about a 95% grille block on my car for awhile now, and NO hint of overheating. 205 deg. F is the highest I've seen, and this includes climbing some steep mountains in fairly warm weather (for winter), but around here, WAY above freezing - like maybe 50 deg F. I always keep one eyeball glued to the ScanGauge when climbing a hill just in case it overheats, but not even close.

Now, there is a big opening on my car between the bottom lip of the bumper cover and the panel the radiator is in, so the fan can pull air through from that area. When I do my belly pan, that will be sealed-up, so I'll have to take other steps. But right now, I'm seeing no overheating issues. So you should be fine.

[Pierrel]

Originally Posted by wmjinman

Good job, Pierrel!!

I see you MPG really improved on your last tank, too. I wonder how much of that is your grille block vs. P & G?

I can tell you I've had about a 95% grille block on my car for awhile now, and NO hint of overheating. 205 deg. F is the highest I've seen, and this includes climbing some steep mountains in fairly warm weather (for winter), but around here, WAY above freezing - like maybe 50 deg F. I always keep one eyeball glued to the ScanGauge when climbing a hill just in case it overheats, but not even close.

Now, there is a big opening on my car between the bottom lip of the bumper cover and the panel the radiator is in, so the fan can pull air through from that area. When I do my belly pan, that will be sealed-up, so I'll have to take other steps. But right now, I'm seeing no overheating issues. So you should be fine.

To be honest, it think much of it was the P&G EOC that had the most effect. I've been trying to incorporate more eco driving on my way to work. My goal is to get above 47mpg, but I'm aiming at 50+

So far, no issues here either. Although an SG or similar would be better than the temp gauge to monitor temps...

[Varn]

It wasn't much of a deer. Every time I have hit one the front end was mangled for 2-4000 bux.

[wmjinman]

Hey, I'm catching you, Pierrel! I see your Tiny Sponge is in 77th place, and my White Gnat is right behind it in 78th. This must be the attack of the Swifts - coming together to fly in formation. Go, Swifts!!!

(now where's that other one? Seems there's a third 4-cylinder Swift on here...)

EDIT: OK, found it; "sarguy's" 1995 4-cylinder Metro, "beater". But he's way down in the rankings - 33 MPG or so. Come on "beater" - 4-cylinders unite!!