Show off your Grille Block

[EVmetro]

Cool thread.

[Fat Charlie]

Cool grille blocks.

[EVmetro]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Cool grille blocks.

Thanks. I love threads like this where we can see such a large variety of ideas in play. I saw lots of cool ideas from lots of different people.

The grill blocks that I have made for my electric Metros do indeed help, but I have run into problems doing grill blocks on gasoline powered Metros. I do not need the airflow in the electrics, but when I interfere with the flow on the gasoline Metros, I find that the original engineers have already thought it through.

[marky899]

Iv been in contact with a company to supply me with some clear polycarbonate to use as a grill block. ATM im using black vynl wrap which is doing a good job and done a few repair jobs which is making it stronger.

But my thinking with the clear polycarbonate is that from a visual standpoint, you will still be able to see the actual holes and grill mesh making it look standard and hopefully almost invisible. Has anyone attempted this as ive been holding off as im not 100% sure it will turn out in the disered effect im looking for.

Thanks

[deejaaa]

Originally Posted by marky899

Iv been in contact with a company to supply me with some clear polycarbonate to use as a grill block.

Thanks

i would make sure it's UV safe or it won't invisible very long.

[seifrob]

Originally Posted by marky899

....
But my thinking with the clear polycarbonate is that from a visual standpoint, you will still be able to see the actual holes and grill mesh making it look standard and hopefully almost invisible. Has anyone attempted this as ive been holding off as im not 100% sure it will turn out in the disered effect im looking for.

Thanks

Imho it will not be almost invisible. There is a chance it will be almost invisible from direct front view, but from any other angle you get glare. I have seen few factory made radiator covers ( i have posted link few posts back) and every of them is visible. You will get more "invisible" results in hiding polycarbonate behind the grille.

[The donkey CRX]

I have always felt more comfortable using an adjustable grill block with an aftermarket digital water temp gauge located in the outlet hose of the radiator. This allows me to control my water temps between 180 and 190 degrees at all times without the fans coming on and adding gas robbing electrical draws (about 12 amps on our Hondas). We run without alternators, so managing a 12 amp draw really extends the miles between grid charging the 12 volt deep cycle batteries.

Being adjustable, I only have to open it the minimum amount for cooling and get the maximum amount of aero benefit possible.

Here are the shutters behind the decorative grill on the 02 Insight. They are made from .090" aluminum sheet.



Here are the shutters open.





and closed





with the bumper, but before the grill was installed.

[marky899]

Loving that adjustable grill block.

How much drag does it make placing the grill block further back instead of inline with the very front of the bumper?
As a grill block hidden will make it look more standard. But also dont want to increase drag to much.

thanks

[The donkey CRX]

Hi Mark, My research says that it makes very little difference in drag, as long as the air is prevented from entering the engine compartment. Some air fills the small recess in front and all other air flows over and around the car. You may have noticed that most OEM grill blocks are also recessed this way.

[marky899]

Originally Posted by The donkey CRX

Hi Mark, My research says that it makes very little difference in drag, as long as the air is prevented from entering the engine compartment. Some air fills the small recess in front and all other air flows over and around the car. You may have noticed that most OEM grill blocks are also recessed this way.

Hi

yeah i have noticed on alot of new cars they make it look like it still has a grill when infact its blocked off just a couple inches behind.

Definalty something to consider as on my car there are 4 open areas and 3 of them are quiet deap so alot of air would go into the space but be pushed back out due to the block.