Poll: Insight front bumper modifications

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by discovery

By increasing the temp in the engine you might decrease the life time of the engine over all. I vote A.

Won't happen. The engine is thermostatically controlled, and will run at 195-205°F regardless of how much grille you block. If you block less, the thermostat closes to keep the engine warm. If you block more, the radiator fan comes on.

The radiator is located off-center, and so any openings in your bumper should be as well (assuming you don't use A/C much).



The original air intake ends to the passenger side of the radiator, behind the upper grille opening. If you want to boost intake temperatures enough for lean burn (and you do, lean burn is awesome), I recommend a hot air intake.

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Also in the case of the Insight there are large openings where the tie rods go from the rack to the front wheels. I believe this is to allow the air to exit to the rear of the front wheels. It's possible (not sure but possible) that reducing the air flow into the engine compartment could cause more turbulence around the front wheels and have a negative effect on CD.

Just a thought.

Yes, I've read that that's exactly what those openings are for. If you're going all-out on an Insight, when you block the grille, you'll also want to block the bottom of the engine bay so less air exits there and more exits into the wheelwells.

[PaleMelanesian]

I would start with a smooth upper block for aerodynamics, and then adjust the amount of lower block for temperature control.

[Daox]

I'd block it all. I use this method on the Paseo year round. On the hottest days in summer on my 21 mile commute, my fan comes maybe a half dozen times, and only on the way home. In the morning trip it never comes on. Just make sure you have a fan indicator light. If it does start coming on a lot just punch a hole or two in it.

[PaleMelanesian]

I do have mine fully blocked most of the year. In August in Texas I'll remove 1/4 of the lower block, and only in the afternoons.

[COcyclist]

I voted for C on looks alone. Like others have said, you may need a small opening on the lower driver's side. However, I love the totally smooth look, it changes the front of the Insight from looking like a guppy mouth to Corvette-like.

[Sorrow Six Star]

c with a panle you can open if needed... c makes it looks very sporty.. I dig it!

[Piwoslaw]

I vote C: block both. But make the lower block such that you can slightly open it right in front of the radiator (and closest to the center of the bumper).

Even better: make the hole in the bottom openable/closeable either manually or electromechanically.

[botsapper]

I voted to smooth out the top opening but make the lower grill opening smaller to retain cooling efficiency, especially South/Southwestern states models. See if you could also source out parts from recently totaled 2009-10 BMW's (maybe from smaller 1 or 3 series), especially for their grill air vent controls. Hack into it's new home (your project) & reprogrammed to your req's. The shutter mechanicals & servos are well-engineered, just hack to your specs & dims.

Should be a true ecomodder's favorite treasure hunt find.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv5ZuGW-CAU

[aerohead]

Is there an extremely expensive set of power transistors and heat sink that needs cooling as well as the radiator?