Testing covering up grille area on 2000 Camry today.
 

Removed front upper grille. Using old tee shirt I stretched the fabric tight over the existing grille and shot it with several coats of old spray paint. Total costs basically zero.

What I aim to test is whether or not I can operate without this grille open.
As I live in Maine avg temps are a lot lower the many more southern states and almost all (98+%) of my driving is hwy) I believe it will be fine.

If cooling temps stay in range I then will make a permanent mod by covering this with dacron and getting it total flush with bumper and hood.

Pete

Pics later