View Poll Results: Did your grill block improve your mpg.
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I noticed an improvement that could only be the grill block
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31 |
64.58% |
I noticed no change.
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7 |
14.58% |
I saw my mpg drop after I did a grill block.
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1 |
2.08% |
I did to many other mods to give the grill block credit.
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9 |
18.75% |
03-26-2008, 08:59 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 3,903
Thanks: 867
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Grill Block Poll.
I have a grill block in my VX, nearly flush with the rest of the bumper, left an area about 3" by 4" open right in front of the radiator, simaler to the OEM grill block opening, I also closed over the fog lamp openings, I didn't notice any change, so I'm wondering if I'm alone in this.
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Today
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Other popular topics in this forum...
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03-26-2008, 09:12 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Awesomeness personified
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 642
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I did my grille block at the same time that I was learning all the new hypermiling techniques.
While I certainly saw some significant gains during that time period (from 40mpg up to 48mpg) I can't attribute my gains to the grille block.
__________________
"I got 350 heads on a 305 engine. I get 10 miles to the gallon. I ain't got no good intentions." - The Drive By Truckers.
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03-26-2008, 09:13 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 568
Thanks: 1
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Just put a lower grill block on my BMW 325is this morning, and drove the car about 130 miles, mostly highway cruising at 80 mph, but also in some freeway commuter traffic and some in town.
So, results are highly subjective, at best preliminary, and based on the on-board fuel computer, which has been reliable in the past. That said, at highway cruise speed, the OBC indicated a mile or two better mileage over the same stretch of highway that I've monitored many times before, and the car "seemed" a bit smoother and quieter, presumably due to less turbulence. This is not a proper test, only a preliminary impression, so take it as such.
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03-26-2008, 10:57 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Giant Moving Eco-Wall
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The Dale, IL (or A-Dale)
Posts: 1,120
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts
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I'm still making assessments, But I put a GOOD grille block on, the bottom one didn't hold up well so I just left the top. It runs hotter, heats up faster, and seems to run smoother.
I don't know, but judging by how many miles I've driven and the fuel gauge position, I'd say that I'm getting between 22-25mpg's this tank. which is better than ever. More tanks will have to confirm, but since I'm on spring break and not driving, I'll say that that'll be a few more weeks
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03-27-2008, 09:43 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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I"m not lurking!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 128
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
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My car showed higher speeds (~3mph) during NC coast on hills, with grill block and passenger mirror delete. With all gaps taped or weather-stripped on the front end, and the other grill opening partially blocked, I now coast at 70mph where I used to get up to 65.
__________________
Roll on,
Stew
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03-27-2008, 10:17 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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MechE
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,151
Thanks: 0
Thanked 22 Times in 18 Posts
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Faster warm up....
If I engine brake to a stop light - my coolant temp drops 20-30+ degrees otherwise...
__________________
Cars have not created a new problem. They merely made more urgent the necessity to solve existing ones.
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03-27-2008, 11:04 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Norfolk, Va. USA
Posts: 869
Thanks: 14
Thanked 33 Times in 28 Posts
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I'm a beleiver
I installed a grill block on the Geo in mid Feb.
My mileage has improved, noticeably.
42 mpg when filled in Feb.
48 mpg when filled in Mar.
Halfway though this tank I removed the right side mirror and added one of the wide angle interior mirrors.
I am sure this helped but this was also only the last half of the tank.
After covering the grill, I was able to coast longer on several of my regular stretches.
There is a point in my after work drive where I cut the power and EOC till my exit.
I have been moving my begin marker further back since installing the block.
My best EOC before block was ~ .7 mile.
Now I'm up to ~ .9 mile
As for noise, the Geo is very loud inside and I can't tell a difference.
However there used to be a rattle/hum from the front left @ 55 mph, I don't hear that anymore. May be some piece of deflector material behind the grill is loose that no longer gets the wind.
So in response,
Emphatically,
Yes.
So much so that I purchased the VW grill block for my Daughters Jetta.
Now I just have to put it on.
S.
__________________
When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity.
Albert Einstein
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03-27-2008, 11:16 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
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I installed the Matrix's grill block this fall as it was getting colder out. The mileage was plumeting and the next tank actually stayed the same or was slightly better and temps were continuing to go down. Faster warm up was also a big deal as the wifey likes comfort.
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03-27-2008, 12:58 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Efficiency freak
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Berlin, Germany
Posts: 58
Thanks: 0
Thanked 15 Times in 6 Posts
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I put in an above-bumper, behind-the-grill block and immediately noticed 3 differences:
> The engine warms up about 30% faster
> The car is more stable (less nervous, slightly quieter) at highway speeds
> Coasting distance is noticeably longer even at moderate speeds (60 km/h).
So it works!
__________________
You ever notice that birds pulse & glide, too?
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03-27-2008, 02:07 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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I did an A-B-C (admittedly not ideal) back-to-back test on a fully warmed up car and noticed an immediate improvement as soon as the block was installed:
http://metrompg.com/posts/grille-blocking-part-2.htm
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