"grill" block question

[Wyldesoul]

My car has no grill, so I at first never gave any though to blocking off that which doesn't exist.

It breaths, though, from under the front bumper. It has an air dam set back, and something of a grill, but laying horizontal.

Like so...

(hood)
_________________
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \ (lack of grill)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \_
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \ (bumper)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
_______________ _ _ _ _ /
. . . (air dam)-> . . \ ^ (Under bumper "grill")
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . \



If you can understand the "illustration"


My question is, Would it be prudent to block off a portion of that "grill" under the bumper? It's completely horizontal, and the air is pushed up in there via the air dam.

[CO ZX2]

My car also has the only grille below the bumper. It is totally blocked now. Mine also had an air dam of sorts underneath just below the front of the radiator. I took it off. In addition to that, I now have a belly pan under the engine compartment all the way forward. I have no heating problems but just watch yours till you're sure. A grille block sealed properly is one of the sure fire methods for FE. You have a PM from me.

[ffvben]

the air dam scoops up air and cools your radiator. keep an eye on your temp. guage if you block it off. I would cover 1/3 and check during a drive, then 2/3 and recheck, finally block it all and keep checking temp. you might be OK as long as you don't overheat

[brucepick]

If you can't block it completely now, you probably can block more in the winter.

I think it has to get some air from somewhere. Even if it's only from the joints where hood and front trim meet, etc. But you'll see how it goes as you start blocking it off.

[varg]

My in-bumper grill is totally blocked off, I only saw my temp gauge go up two little notches when I did this and noticed a quieter and seemingly smoother ride. I have yet to do a coast-down test but it definitely improved my aerodynamics. I used a sheet of black coroplast attached with "industrial strength" velcro, this way it's easily removable and modifiable.