Semi-stealth Golf/Vento grill
 

I used some pipe insulation cut in half and wedged it in the back of the grill. It seems pretty sturdy and airtight, and is not that noticeable, even with it being bright grey.

I took it down a fast bumpy road to see if anything would fall out, and the car seemed to warm up slightly quicker (but this may have just been a placebo).

Anyway, pictures!

From Behind:

http://i51.tinypic.com/2duvyn4.jpg

Installed:

http://i56.tinypic.com/ws4t2b.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/selh8p.jpg

and from a distance:

http://i55.tinypic.com/10pwmcz.jpg

I admit it's not as impressive as most things on here, I just wanted something that wouldn't damage the car and was easily removeable.


Next up is to paint it and seal off the bottom too.

Anyone else driving a similar VW?

I have a Mk IV VW Golf but it is a similar color, does that count? I also use the pipe insulation grill block. I painted my blue grill bars black and stuffed the insulation between the grill bars from the front. It's pretty stealth too. The upper grill has been blocked year round for 3 years. In winter I split the insulation and push it over the 1 or 2 of the lower grill bars too.

If that works for you and you're than interested in making a more permanent structure - I would seek out some black ABS plastic. Or even a square plastic office garbage can. Cut it down to shape and use some basic 2-part epoxy.

Pretty straight forward way how you did it! Any other eco-mods in the future?

Buxtonski -

Pretty neat. I like that you have the choice of treating each gap in your VW grill separately. I have done big long pipe-chunks that cover a whole row, but with pieces you can add/remove as needed. It looks like you have 9 chunks on each side of the VW badge for 18 total. Each chunk gives you control of 5.5% of the total grill opening per chunk.

CarloSW2

I've just applied a rough tank tape out block to my '96 polo once I'm happy with the temps I think I'll take your lead with the insulation idea!

Thanks guys :)

Thanks, I've found a laminated piece of chipboard, looks like the back of a bookcase, I'm going to paint it black and put it under the front bumper (there's a large gap from bumper to radiator). I'm not sure how aero improving this will be, since the front bib has a extended lip that goes down further than the bottom of most of the bumper, but it couldn't hurt!

I need to block off the other intakes too, I just need to find something very reversible (car will be sold on).

Go for it man! I decided against tape (like a few other guys have) since it's not gonna last against rain.