Grill Block on a Honda Fit

[BudgetFitting]

I wanted to see who uses a grill block for the (upper, lower, or both) on their Fit.

I am thinking of making an upper grill block that will be flush with the rest of the bumper.

I also plan on making a two piece lower grill block. The passenger side block will go from the little inset black plastic thing (left of the lower grill and under the headlight) to the end of the grill just before the radiator starts (basically blocking the AC). The driver side will go from the inset black plastic thing, to the part of the grill before the radiator starts.

So the radiator will not be blocked on the lower grill (about a 10-12" section of the lower grill), but the A/C part of the grill and the indented side parts of the bumper will be covered. All this will be done so that the block sits flush with the rest of the bumper, making the front end as smooth as possible.

I wanted to see what change in temps people have seen with their grill blocks in place on their Fits. I think that my method should not increase temps too much since the lower grill is not blocked in front of the radiator. Obviously it is hard to explain without pictures and examples, but does this sound like it will work and not make temps rise too much?

[BudgetFitting]

Does anyone with grill blocks have any insight into this inquiry ?

[msirach]

I haven't tried one on a fit, but I used one last week on a Yaris.On a 92 degree day, I saw a high of 204. 190 is what it was without a block which indicated a 190 degree thermostat. The biggest difference I saw on the Yaris was a hot air intake that I added. It made a 3 to 4 mpg improvement. The best FE seemed to be at 110 to 122 degrees intake air temp.

[BMWdoc]

Ill try posting pics of my grill block tommorow. Ive only blocked about 1/3 of the lower grill plus the fog lamp openings and its seems to be keeping pretty much the same temp as before. It stays about 173 on the highway and gets up to about 180 at slower speeds or city driving.

[BudgetFitting]

Originally Posted by BMWdoc

Ill try posting pics of my grill block tommorow. Ive only blocked about 1/3 of the lower grill plus the fog lamp openings and its seems to be keeping pretty much the same temp as before. It stays about 173 on the highway and gets up to about 180 at slower speeds or city driving.

Very cool, thanks for your input.

I am hoping to do these mods in the next few months.

[BMWdoc]

heres the pic of my grill block its lexan and I would like your thoughts. Should I leave it clear or paint the backside.

Highest temp Ive seen was 182. Generally 180-210 degrees should yield the best FE, I believe at those temps you have the lowest emissions output which means the fuel is more completely burned.

[BudgetFitting]

Originally Posted by BMWdoc

heres the pic of my grill block its lexan and I would like your thoughts. Should I leave it clear or paint the backside.
Highest temp Ive seen was 182. Generally 180-210 degrees should yield the best FE, I believe at those temps you have the lowest emissions output which means the fuel is more completely burned.

I can't see the grill block too well in the pics (which is both a good and bad thing). Good because it does not compromise the looks of the car, and bad because I can't see exactly how much you blocked.

I am going to color match my grill block as best as possible, if the color does not look right though I am going to paint it black.

[BMWdoc]

I resized the picks and found a better link.

[BudgetFitting]

Originally Posted by BMWdoc

I resized the picks and found a better link.

Thanks!

The blocks look great!

I am going to do my bottom block like yours, except I am going to extend the passenger side block a little further to cover the a/c half of the bottom grill.

Do you plan on making an upper grill block?

[BMWdoc]

I think ive gone as far as i want to go with the grill block although the top would be slightly easier. HHHMMM????