T-Racer adjustable grille block

[Frank Lee]

Open:


Closed:


The T-Racer just got some nice grille blockage that a casual observer may not even notice at all.

First to go were the "brake" grilles; a pair of old mudflaps donated the textured black plastic which is affixed via drywall screws through the slots in the original grills to plastic backing plates. Removal would be 100% reversable without a trace.

The fun part is the central block. A one-piece double floor of coroplast (folded hard taco shell style) fills in the void between the front bumper and the radiator support; the lower floor forming a flush panel between the bottom of the bumper and the top of the stock airdam, and the upper forming a flush panel from the top of the bumper to the radiator. It is an interference fit requiring no fasteners to affix it. Two sliding panels of black polycarbonate form the grille block doors, which each have over an inch of adjustability. They are retained by tabs and slots; they can be altered for a greater range of adjustment should experience with this show that it's warranted. The doors also bend back to form a rather nice duct from entrance to the a/c condensor. What may appear to be some sloppy asymmetry in the opening on the duct floor is necessary because of an asymmetrical bracket; if the appearance ever bugs me I'll hit it with some flat black paint and it'll virtually disappear.

It's anecdotal at this point but I got my best tank ever the first time out with these; 42 mpg with the a/c on in a a/t car- and this is practically the first time I've used the a/c at all! I did find that the "open" setting allows the a/c to function and the engine to not overheat on a very clammy 90 degree day.

P.S. T-Racer cuz it's a Mercury Tracer.

[MetroMPG]

I can't see a durned thing in those pics, but I'll take your word for it.

And a best tank with A/C use is nice.

You going to add a garage entry for this one, or are you having commitment issues?

[Frank Lee]

I can see the pics.

Anyway, here's more cell phone pics, complete with bug splats at no extra charge:

View down the duct, "closed" position:


Pretty flush between lower edge of bumper and air dam:


Salvaged (found in the ditches on my walks) mudflaps reborn as brake grille blocks:


A better look at one of the black polycarb doors/duct walls:


P.S. And I went about 5 mph faster than usual besides! But a tailwind was helping out. Time will tell if the blocks are helping.

[MetroMPG]

Clarification: I could see the first set of pics, but not the mod. Much clearer now, merci.

[Frank Lee]

The next fill was somewhat less than 42 mpg for a variety of reasons but still average or average +. What I did learn, though, was that even on the "closed" setting and 90 deg ambient temps, that the e-fan doesn't run excessively. I was planning on making an e-fan "on" indicator lamp but my test, that of coming into a town on that 90 deg. day from a long highway run, going their 30 mph for a bit, then getting out to listen for the fan showed that the fan was always off. Unless of course the a/c was on, but the e-fan is always on for that.

I could very well go even smaller on the opening but I want enough airflow to ensure the a/t stays cool and that when the a/c is on the e-fan is easily able to draw outside air; it looks so small now I may just leave it. If the car had a stick I'd be more inclined to try going even smaller.

I also have seen much reduced warm-up times from cold start.

P.S. To clarify, there are no idling warm-ups under my watch; this is from cold start then driving off even more gently and slow vs normal until the temp gauge gets in the normal range. The temp gauge got into the normal range far sooner.