Grillblock

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Angelus359

I was looking at it... and if I blocked the top, and I blocked inbetween the bottom grill and the radiator, underneath, I probably could get away with even smaller, because its forcing all the air through the radiator, and not around to anywhere else. Almost like ducting.

Yes, this will help. My xA is down to a 15" x 4" opening, and blocking the chin opening will help if the front opening is small enough. If you leave too big an opening, then closing the chin area will "parachute" and add some drag.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post132996

I need to take a picture of the current grill block -- I'm using aluminum roll flashing now.

[Angelus359]

Here was an idea

the factory blocked the side bottom grills by default, by swapping some things that look like a grill, but is actually just nothing...

I could block the sides on the bottom, and partially block the center bottom, but not significantly block center bottom
The original front entrance is 23 inches, I could block maybe 4 inches on each side on bottom, leaving 15 inch wide gap?
I'd fully block top.
Hows that look?
I hope you like my crappy drawing

[NHRABill]

Is your Aveo a Stick or automatic? If automatic did you account for the transmission cooler that runs through the radator. A cars automatic transmission fluid typically uses the radiator to cool its fluid. trucks with towing packages have a small external cooler that is bolted in front of the radiator as well.

When thinking and inspecting that also take note of the air conditioning condensor that needs to breathe also. i know we are entering cooler months but a new Aveo that is under warranty may get in troule if they see a "mod" that may have caused your trans fluid to wear premature or a AC unit that is not cooling to spec de to an overheating condensor.

I have not looked under the hood of an Aveo, I am relying on general auto knowledge. Just inspect your car before relying on what looks good as compared to function.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Angelus359

I was wondering if a grillblock behind the plastic grill would be effective?

They're still effective - most car manufacturers use them nowadays to block their unnecessarily huge grilles.
It'd be a lot better if they dumped those fake grilles alltogether and go for a smooth front.

All the grillblocks I've seen online go infront of the grill.

That's often the easiest way, though not always the most visually appealing.
Other folks run blocks behind the grille, some have filled in the space between the grille frames.

I'm talking about blocking 1-2 inches behind the plastic grill, but several inches infront of the radiator.
I just made a trial grillblock out of ductape and cardboard, and placed it back there...

It should work, though it will probably work a bit better when you move it nearer the grille (less air seeping through other gaps).

I have no real way of testing it.

If you often do the same stretch of road at the same speed, you know what FE to expect.

Over time, it'll also show up in your long-term FE numbers.

[NeilBlanchard]

Can you post a photo, please?

[NeilBlanchard]

Yes, I have less than 1/4 of the stock grill opening, and it is fine even during the summer.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by ZOMGVTEK

Some of you guys block nearly all of the stock grill?

I'm blocking around 90% of the upper grille.
I put it on in the summer, and it hasn't caused any issues.

[euromodder]

Love the drawing

Originally Posted by Angelus359

The original front entrance is 23 inches, I could block maybe 4 inches on each side on bottom, leaving 15 inch wide gap?

On the drawing you seem to fence in the air in a box-shaped intake straight back to the radiator.
This means you not only reduce the air intake area (good), but also the useful area of the radiator (not good) and pound it with high speed air which will rush through.

Angle the sides of the air intake, from the reduced intake area, to the entire width of the radiator.

[PaleMelanesian]

Mine is fully 100% blocked if the daytime highs are below 80F. Above 80 I open 1/4 of the grille.

The more efficiently you drive, the less excess heat there is. This morning, for example, was 40 degrees here. I finished the drive 12.9 miles later with the water temperature at 182F - not quite fully warmed up.

[Angelus359]

Does anyone know if a top grillblock in an aveo specifically will cause any problems with the automatic transmission fluid?

I honestly don't know what all of the things in my engine compartment do. Lots of hoses being a convoluted mess that I have yet to trace out.