How to: Kia Soul front grill block (my first mod :) )
 

Here is the first mod I've done to my car, and as such it will not look the best, but will give ya' a good idea of what it looks like on a Soul.

http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/GEDC0143.jpg

Then I taped up paper and penciled in a rough shape.

Transferred onto cardboard... tweaked the curves so it fit.

And transferred to cloroplast.


http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/GEDC0147.jpg

Then some paint :)

http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/GEDC0148.jpg

From 15 feet it's hard to tell its even there :)

Looks very good!!

Thanks! It took me about an hour seeing as it was my first time...

Does anyone think I should block more of the lower grill?

It's hard to see the lower grill opening. What does the plenum area in front of the radiator look like? Is there a cover over the "chin" area, or is it open?

No its all open in the "chin area" as well as the three inlet holes near the bottom.

However, the outdoor temps have been hitting 90F and the scangauge is reading 212F before the fan pulls it down to 206F... What temp is too hot?

I'd make a grill block for it. I wouldn't use it just yet, but when winter rolls around you'll be happy you have it.

How did it affect your FE? Can you quantify it?

In ABA testing I found a .35mpg increase and over the span of this last winter it shaved the warm up time by about 2 miles. (When cold I'm getting 29-30mpg, warm 33-36)

Thanks for the response...I think I'll wait to do a block until fall rolls around. I don't want to have to worry about my drive home when it's 110 in the Delta. But I do like the idea of reducing my warm up time. I'm kind of pondering the mesh screen grill block debate, but haven't reached any solid conclusions on giving it a try.

In general, I'm getting better though, when I drive it, I get 34+, when my fella drives it, he usually can't achieve 32. He's not quite precise enough with the clutch/trans/gears, since he's more used to automatics.

temps
 

Contact your local Kia service dept. manager and ask what the specs are.
Thirty years ago,some cars were operating with 255degree F operating temps under higher cap pressures.