jbc3 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I have been thinking about closing up the front of the huge grill opening, so this weekend I starter playing with a couple of designs and I ended up with this design. I am not 100% with what I ended up with, but it is starting to grow on me. I am thinking of maybe getting some kydex and redoing the bumper indent covers and lower grill cover as one continuous piece. Plus I think the shape can be easily curved a little and better blended into the air dam. My bumper indent covers are already made with kydex. I should be at the Mid Atlantic Shindig this weekend, so I'll get a few first hand opinions. (A few small rivet holes and some 3M double sided adhesive and it is off if I need to dump the whole idea) Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizardBlack Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Looks good. I think one thing you could do is find a way to set the block-off back just a half inch or so rather than fully flush. This will give you the visual line of the original "mouth" of the opening but still get 95% of the aerodynamic improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garvice Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I like it. Still keeps the lines of the bonnet, which I like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudeboy Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 That is a great look. I have been debating buying the fiberglass 240 bumpers just to break up the grill opening. Have you notice any difference as far as cold air coming into the engine bay ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbc3 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 I drove the car to work today... AC on full, 90's and humid. The engine temps seemed the same as usual, so I don't believe that the air flow to the radiator was excessive. Also, I didn't really mention this before, but one of the main reasons I looked at a lower half mod is the fact that my air intake/filter are right behind the grill near the top of the grill on the drivers side (can be seen in a couple of the pictures) and I did not want to interfere with any direct flow into the intake. Jody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I like the idea. I'll check it out Saturday. It won't be easy to do but I think it needs some contouring to break up the flatness and make it look a bit more professional. I've been thinking about doing something like that too. I was leaning more on keeping the block off as an extension of the lower fender valance and only covering to about an inch or so below my bumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkach Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I love it, Looks clean with that nice "fabricated" feel to it any build pics? Did you support the mid section in anyway in order to reduce flexing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbc3 Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 The top edge has a 90 degree aluminum angle piece and then to add strength to it, I riveted sheet metal section (about 2 1/2" wide) horizontal back toward the radiator and rolled it over. It is surprisingly stout. As a matter of fact, I have some 3/4" tubular steel around the lip of the lower air dam to prevent it from flexing at speed also. If I were to do this whole thing over in kydex, I would back support it with the same set-up I have now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I like the look. It almost reminds me of this car: Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 That is a great look. I have been debating buying the fiberglass 240 bumpers just to break up the grill opening. I think Glenn nailed it: the look is great and "works" without using a bumper. The huge grill opening, sans bumper, looks a bit odd unless there is a FMIC there because the field is just too big for the looks of the car. A bumper breaks up that opening, but this little mod looks good without the bumper too---nice! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I think it looks great. If you blended it, it would look even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZROSSA Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Very nice. Couple of round driving lights to breack it up a bit and your away! Douglas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbc3 Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 I photoshopped the dam to give it a little blue color to see what it would look like if I actually do finish this and paint it... The color is not exact, but you get the idea. Jody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Looks good. If you made a duct that directed all the air that comes through your smaller opening through the radiator you could further reduce the drag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essdeezee Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Very nice. Couple of round driving lights to breack it up a bit and your away! Douglas I second the driving lights idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizardBlack Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Very nice. Couple of round driving lights to breack it up a bit and your away! Douglas +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 I really like the look of that setup! Niiiice. Couple of recessed 5 3/4" Cessna Landing Lights in there, with a flush plexiglass covering would add 'flash to pass intimidation' to the list of additional advantages with your mod! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8dats Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 i likes!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 I saw it first hand on Saturday and all I can say is WOW!!! It looks as good in person as in the pics and what I like is how sturdy it is... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2ndlife Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I think it looks really good too. Unique look to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.