First attempt at a grill block

[therealtime]

Hi everyone,

I have only been a member on here for a few months, but I think my project Del Sol is moving along nicely. Today I was in Lowes for a plumbing repair and I stumbled across some coroplast in the area where they sell "For Sale by Owner" signs and "Yard Sale" signs. I actually found one that was blank, 20x26" for $5.98. I cut two identical pieces mirrored around the center of my grill, spray painted them black, and attached them with zip ties and screws. Here's how it looks:









Just filled up the tank 15 miles ago, so the next fillup should tell a little about if it works or not. I didn't completely close off the grill because I don't know how the car will react yet and I am still using the a/c. I will keep my gas log updated with the progress.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Looks good. Keep us posted on your results.

-Jay

[Snax]

Nice work. If you want to dress it up some more, find some 1/8" or thinner black ABS and use the coroplast as a pattern.

[therealtime]

Well, first trip numbers are in:

last 5 fillups = 1271.4 mi 32.451 gal = 39.18mpg average
fillup after the grill block (made sure to repeat the same pump) 41.69mpg

thats a little over 6% improvement. lets see if the average stays there for the next fillup.

a side note: I don't feel that all of the benefit of my particular grill block was aerodynamic. I recently swapped out my small broken stock radiator for a larger aluminum aftermarket unit, and since then my coolant temps never got over 1/4 of the gauge even in the summer traffic. with the grill block installed, my temps get up to a little over 1/3 fairly quick and hold steady. I think this increase in underhood temp is helping my WAI and even expansion of my engine internals for a boost in apparent efficiency.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I vote for "If it works, and the engine isn't overheating who cares?"

-Jay

[Loserkidwac]

Looks good!

I used the OEM VX grill block for my Sol but I am thinking I am going to make one that sits flush with the bumper out of coroplast...I also made a rear bumper diffuser for the Sol, I have some more pics in my build thread...since my VSS took a crap I can't give any gains but the car felt more stable on the highway...

[therealtime]

Originally Posted by therealtime

last 5 fillups = 1271.4 mi 32.451 gal = 39.18mpg average
fillup after the grill block (made sure to repeat the same pump) 41.69mpg

Second fillup was today, little lower than the first but still above my average. Now the average of the last two tanks is 40.37mpg.

This makes the grill block a 3% f.e. booster, still not shabby.

All my info is in the gaslog