Grill Blocking
 

I have 50% of my grill blocked off by a winter grill cover I bought on the internet. I would like to block more of the grill, but safely of course. My ScanGuage can tell me what the intake air temperature and water temperature in the radiator is. According to the ScanGuage manual water with a 50/50 mix of coolant boils at 265 degrees F. I am ok radiator wise since I'm always around 200 degrees with the 50% grill block. What is the maximum intake air temperature I can reach before I damage the truck? It is currently 88-90 degrees when driving at highway speeds.

my IAT has reached 155 but I have a WAI (warm air intake) I have heard that you could damage some types of intake sensors on some vehicles with hotter temps but I don't remember what type they were. I haven't had that much of a problem with mine. I am actually trying to get my temp higher because my average is only around 130 or so.

warm air intake
 

I have finally done enough reading on this site to understand that I can cover up more of the grill. I will keep an eye on water temperature but I understand warmer air is a desired goal among many of you and not a thing to fear at my temperature range.

Thank you

75% attempt
 

With a better understanding of the cold intake/warm air intake debate, I have covered more of my Ram's grill. Hopefully I don't end up on the side of the road. The morning drive home of 80-90 miles will test the waters. If safe I'll keep it on for hot mid-day trials. I won't create a true warm air intake since I've already invested $300.00+ on a K&N air intake kit plus professional installation. I'll just have to warm up the air around the engine with the grill blocking.

Quick question for you all.

Are we blocking for the aerodynanics, for the heat, or for both?

If it's the heat we are after, would it just be as effective if we route the intake to draw in air from behind the radiator?

Originally for a more aerodynamic beast
 

Now both will hopefully be attained.

In my reading here, it's seemed that the real benefit of grill blocking is quicker warm-up time, so less time is spent running inefficiently while warming up.

ScanGuageII results
 

With a 75% grill block on a 2004 Dodge Ram 8 cylinder Hemi Automatic transmission- speed 55mph 92 degrees F outside clear weather

202 degrees F water temp/98-100 degrees F intake air temp = 21mpg
202 d F water/103-105 d F IAT= 23mpg
204 d F water/110 d F IAT= 25mpg (unreliable due to drop to 45mph in some driving)

A little of both I guess, In my situation I have a grill block which is a piece of Coroplast fitted directly behind my grill, mainly for aerodynamics, and a little for engine warm up. This is in place year round.

In the winter I stick a piece of cardboard directly between the radiator and the fan shroud. This is mainly to help with engine temps. It came out this April and I'll scrounge a new piece come October.

The learning curb
 

I was unable to get out of 18-19 mpg on the way home. I even resorted to dropping to 50mph just to maintain 19mpg. The intake air temperature was 130 degrees F. (outside air temp was 92 degrees.) This morning I saw the ScanGuage climb from 22..23..24..25 as my drive went on. The temperature outside was 66-68 degrees. Intake temperature went from 100 to 105 degrees. I have started a theory (as of this morning) that my maximum intake air temp is 110 degrees for maximum mpg. As a result I drove in with 75% a grill block and will drive home with a 50% block.