Full Grille Block: Upper Grille
 

So I finally decided to do a full grille block!... well... sorta! I did a mock up of a block. I finally replaced to strips of duct tape covering the grille slots with something good.... actually not really, this is less durable, but less marring.

Supplies:
Clear boxing tape
Saran Wrap
Scissors
Friend that's lurking at your house
Jacket

First, I got my friend who was with me at the time to help me keep the saran wrap from folding in on itself while I got the tape ready. But even before that, I made sure that the Jacket was on nice and good. :thumbup:

Take friend and have him take the roll to one end, and the flat-side on the other side of the grille. Then, after you forgot about the tape :rolleyes:, have him hold both sides. Cut some tape, then tape one end to the grille, then cut the other side off with the scissors. Tape all four corners with the tape, then at about this time your friend has to go home (cause he was leaving at the time you remembered about the grille block:o) so you do the rest on your own. You probably didn't make the saran wrap perfect, so you fix the problem with tape, stretching, and more tape. You might need to pop the hood to do this correctly. If you can, tape over the block heater cord (optional) so it doesn't flap around while taking a tight turn (this looks odd to viewers who wonder what exactly that cord is for).

You should end up with something like this, a testable, clear grille block that is external, so air flows most efficiently around the grille for best aero (apposed to a block on the inside of a grille.) and still looks stock-like from some distance.

http://a39.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/...4f36ef3d16.jpg

http://a261.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...a3f5ffd0fc.jpg

http://a519.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...d670d635f6.jpg




NOTE: You might not be able to get saran wrap totally unwrinkled. Also, Cell phone pictures like the ones above create an odd color to your car(s) when taken too close. Your red car might look orange... or even pink :)

Hope you enjoyed reading!

The read was good, the pics were... missing. ;)

Pictorz

red x of death for the pics...I copy the info from properties and it takes me to the log in screen for hotmail

huh, that's really odd.. It works fine on my computer.. How would I fix this? I really don't wanna wait an hour per pic to upload them from my computer (dreaded dial up...).

What browsers are you guys using?

well.. here's the.. picture link locations...

drivers side

Front

Passenger side

If those don't work I don't know what's up...

pic links bring up a login for windows live. I don't agree with their terms of service ;)

*sigh* I'll try and upload them... and then see what happens. Despite the long load times :/

How about now??? this is getting repetitive :(

YES! I SEE PICTURES!

No sure how aerodynamic the block heater cord sticking out is. Make an aero cover for it, so I can copy the design for mine!

Plastic wrap really looks pretty nice, keeping a fairly stock appearence.
I have thought that "window insulator kit" shrink plastic might be nice to work with because you can use a blow dryer to shrink out all the wrinkles.

Hard to beat the price of plastic wrap though!

Results: Heats around what I'm judging 2.5-3 times faster than with just a lower grille block.

Fuel tank depletes slower, longer coasting times permited, although you seem to get blown around more on really windy days.

Ups: Clear, improves the look of the grille, appears to be OEM to other drivers, keeps Your Uber long cord from flapping around turns, and in the wind, Less tape used, and no sticky residue.

Downs: only a prototype. Won't last very long, although has stood longer than I thought (its been through rain, 5 days of driving, foot deep water spray, ice from the water freezing before sheeting completely off, heat from engine bay, etc.)


I was giving upgrade material from my Shop Class teacher. Thicker Clear Plastic that appears to be hard to rip, tear, and resists anything but sharp things. Although thickness results in less transparency, but longer lasting. Should only need to worry about clear tape from now on.

Looks good now.

I'm amazed that plastic wrap has held up for any length of time. If that's the case, I've got a bunch of .040 builders plastic that I can use :D

Looks pretty good, :thumbup:

I agree, looks pretty good to me. Make sure to take a pic before you rip it off so we can see how it held up.