Grill block questions

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by Danronian

Wow that is a tank. Great cheap mod! I also made mine with some thick plastic I found at work a few years back. Works great for me.

Great to see you are getting better mileage with your "tank."

thanks, do you have close-up pics of your grill block? couldn't see from your garage pic.
if it's there, it's very clean looking!

[smay665949]

is a grill block used to make the engine warm up faster, run hotter or to reduce airflow through the engine compartment?

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by smay665949

is a grill block used to make the engine warm up faster, run hotter or to reduce airflow through the engine compartment?

warm up faster AND reduce airflow. in florida, my concern is mainly the aero benefit(reduce thru airflow). as far as hotter engine, i put in a 195 degree thermostat. this is for peak efficiency.

[brucepick]

Kewl!
You upped the mpg from about 25 to about 30 - about a 20% increase right there.

I built a new grill block too - am guilty of NO PICS yet. I promise, I promise...

How hard are you running your tires?
I upped mine a few psi at a time as I got used to the handling changes.
Are your tires rated 44 psi so you know you can get the psi up pretty high?
(With 35 psi tires I probably wouldn't have the nerve to go over 40 but that's just me.)

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by brucepick

Kewl!
You upped the mpg from about 25 to about 30 - about a 20% increase right there.

I built a new grill block too - am guilty of NO PICS yet. I promise, I promise...

How hard are you running your tires?
I upped mine a few psi at a time as I got used to the handling changes.
Are your tires rated 44 psi so you know you can get the psi up pretty high?
(With 35 psi tires I probably wouldn't have the nerve to go over 40 but that's just me.)

yes 44 rating. going 60 front, 55 rear. haven't noticed a harder ride, just lighter steering.

[brucepick]

Yeah, lighter steering here too.
Mine are rated 44, running them at 48 front and 46 rear.
Feels pretty hard - but I think that's cause the suspension was designed around running tires between 27-32 psi. I've far exceeded the expectation there!

Steering is light enough that I'm considering removing the belt that runs a/c and power steering. All the Volvo guys say it will be a bear to steer but I wanna try it when I get a chance. They don't drive on 48 psi tires.

[Antares2k6]

I have a 91 Cutlass Supreme and have been wanting to do a grill block of sorts. Do you plan on blocking off below the bumper? Just above the bumper? Need to do something after not a good mpg test this week.

Antares

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

FINALLY got my garage pics w/cheapy grill block(top and bottom). very cost effective(everything already in house): foil tape, expanding foam, and silver paint. looks cheap 'cause it IS! what do you guys think?

www.gassavers.org/garage/view/775

[VetteOwner]

hmm i gotta do somehting to help with the cold, BUT i do not have a temp guage in my car, just a temp warnign light (that most likely comes on after its too late)

im thinking a veyr thin piece of sheetmetal that we have and ziptie it in front of my grill, if it helps alot maybe ill do it permenately but behind it(less of an eyesore, no offence to anyone else tho)

[bowtieguy]

Antares,

forgive me if i misunderstand your question. but, i have blocked both above and below the bumper. if you click onto my garage link and then enlarge the frontal view, you'll see the lower grill block. both are left partially open because temp concerns here in florida.

BTW, is your gas log accurate? 60mpg on a recent fillup?

[Antares2k6]

I did not put one or two of them in km's. Live in Canada, should have done that.

Antares

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

Antares,

forgive me if i misunderstand your question. but, i have blocked both above and below the bumper. if you click onto my garage link and then enlarge the frontal view, you'll see the lower grill block. both are left partially open because temp concerns here in florida.

BTW, is your gas log accurate? 60mpg on a recent fillup?