radiator ducting ~ grill slats removal - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

j12piprius · 09-19-2014, 02:43 AM

I'd like to duct from the bumper to the radiator, but the grill slats are in between. I think the grill can be removed by taking the radiator off, but read in another forum that people just cut off the slats. One of them has broken off one side already, and this would certainly simplify the process. Is there any reason to not cut them off?

Is it okay to have coroplast against the radiator, and is there a way to attach it to the radiator, or is just having it close good enough?

I'm planning to have the duct expand gradually from the opening to the radiator.

Daox · 09-19-2014, 08:46 AM

The Prius does this. They used formed plastic with foam around the edges to seal it up better. You might want to try that out. They obviously thought it was worth it. Here is an image I took a while ago from my last Prius.

There are a few more pics here:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post114329

j12piprius · 09-19-2014, 10:42 AM

Thanks for the details and photo. It looks like they blocked the sides directly but left a big valley at the bottom. I see no reason for slats on the front of mine other than protection, as they block the airflow and prevent any ducting at that point. Is there any reason to not remove them? If not, I plan to cut them off and then put straight corplast from the opening to the edges of the radiator.

Daox · 09-19-2014, 11:05 AM

The only thing I can think of is structural. The lower lip will probably sag with them cut out. I've seen that happen on other cars.

2000mc · 09-19-2014, 11:42 AM

How do the slats prevent ducting? The protection of the slats may not do anything for you day to day, but on the scale of years of driving, the protection Is not insignificant.

j12piprius · 09-19-2014, 11:49 AM

The slats prevent ducting because I'd need to fill in between every slat on both sides. What protection do they provide, from what? Sagging is a concern, but the slats go sideways, not up and down, so I'm not sure they prevent that anyway.

2000mc · 09-19-2014, 12:08 PM

Why not start from the edges of the opening?
Protection from random road debris / rocks kicked up by vehicles in front of you

j12piprius · 09-19-2014, 12:18 PM

Yes, I want to start from the edges of the opening (photo in my avatar), but the slats are in between there and the radiator. The slats do provide some protection. Maybe I can duct to the slats, leave it open between them (or try to block them individually), then duct between them and the radiator.

I'll do that. Thanks much for the comments.