Custom Front Grill :)

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

So thanks to a lady 8 months ago I was rewarded with a cracked front bumper which I have yet to get repaired. So the other day I was bored and decided..... why not just open things up a bit so here is what i ended up with.



I actually like it a lot. And now with the extra space up where the front grill was Ill be redirecting trapped air 1 to the stock TMIC duct to cool the top of the engine but will also 2 direct air back down behind my FMIC to my radiator to help account for any loss of air due to the Front mount intercooler. Also lets not forget easy access to my intercooler and btm piping!

Im also currently working on an air collector for my front mount IC, that will will in conjunction with the top air dam system. Its going to be a long DIY process but in the end Ill be making the best out of all the air collected up front and got rid of that front mazda emblem LOL~!!!

I love free mods especially since I would just need to get a new front bumper in the future anyway, if I like it this way Ill just repair this bumper myself and continue to improve the setup!



Here is the final product!!

[redmnsterut]

Guess it serves a function but ugly as sin..

Subbed to see your further DIY air shit

[itg3rl]

Your FMIC will love the extra free bugs that come with this.

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by itg3rl Your FMIC will love the extra free bugs that come with this.

its the upper grill i cut out not the btm grill. I still have the btm grill to insert back in once I open up some of the "fake" opening sections. I may also add a grill to the top section as well If i can find something that works.

[kritz]

For some raw materials.


customcargrills.com - Hexagon Mesh

[h.h.sk1nny]

Your car is probably wanting you to put a bag over its head now.

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by h.h.sk1nny Your car is probably wanting you to put a bag over its head now.

LOL no way, she is enjoying all the fresh air!

Also I intend on painting the crash bar black to help it take a backstage to the intercooler.

[Design]

Contrary to popular belief the deflector actually helps to minimize turbulence and improve airflow over the TMIC. In your case it probably doesn't matter all that much.

I wouldn't drive over 20 mph without protection for the TMIC.

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by Design Contrary to popular belief the deflector actually helps to minimize turbulence and improve airflow over the TMIC. In your case it probably doesn't matter all that much. I wouldn't drive over 20 mph without protection for the TMIC.

"I wouldn't drive over 20 mph without protection for the TMIC" ????? Im not sure what you mean? If your referring to the FMIC, I have just been driving it around town like this and havent taken any bug or rock hits yet Will have the btm grill in as soon as its complete.


Interesting about the stock air flow. The duck design im looking at is a slit level design where the outside air will be directed up under the hood into the TMIC stock ducting to cool the engine where the center air will be directed to go low into the radiator. Im very excited about this project. I may do a full fiberglass setup and make it all smooth and sexy or jsut bend some aluminum. Im nearing an end to the front air director I have been working on and this will be the next step. I expect extremely cool driving temps. Upon thinking of my plan the air pulling behind the intercooler may actually aid in pulling air through the intercooler as well helping with bats directly as well as indirectly due to cooler under the hood temps and engine temps. Air is your friend and its there all the time just begging to be used. Taking full advantage to what is already there just makes sense, so im going to focus my attention on that. Next will be brake ducting from the side vents as well as a cold air dam for the CAI. I like to stay busy.

some more information on my front air director here:
http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...32/index2.html

[Design]

Yes the FMIC (darn autocorrect lol) is definitely at risk. I imagine there are several "laws" working against you right now; inertia, force, and Murphy's.

In other words, Darwin is hot on your tail. Hopefully you're adjusting your modding priorities to protect your investment. Best of luck.

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

I agree! Im trying to move faster then the laws of fail Should have the btm grill back in this weekend all finished with more openings. Also looking into grill material for the newly opened top area I noticed a slight decrease in engine coolant temp since cutting open the front more. I see it as helping draw air through the IC as the air drops behind it, and also obviously just more air in general getting into the rad even with the intercooler. So the ducting I have planned should really enhance that effect.

[pittsburghmazda3]

Looking forward to seeing your "air management" projects. I don't know why, but I think aerodynamics are fuckin awesome! I modified my stock TMIC shroud to get more air in (cut out the mesh, added an aluminum "scoop". I also would like to open up the inlets around my fogs too for brake cooling.

I wish I had the time, talent, and resources to do a complete "sealed" intercooler setup. Whereas there is inlet ducting, the intercooler, and outlet ducting, routing the air through a confined, controlled direction, and eliminating all the the turbulences, etc. Would cool better and improve aerodynamics.

[Tenchix]

Originally Posted by pittsburghmazda3 Looking forward to seeing your "air management" projects. I don't know why, but I think aerodynamics are fuckin awesome! I modified my stock TMIC shroud to get more air in (cut out the mesh, added an aluminum "scoop". I also would like to open up the inlets around my fogs too for brake cooling. I wish I had the time, talent, and resources to do a complete "sealed" intercooler setup. Whereas there is inlet ducting, the intercooler, and outlet ducting, routing the air through a confined, controlled direction, and eliminating all the the turbulences, etc. Would cool better and improve aerodynamics.

Hey do you have any pics of your aluminum "hood scoop" i have thought about doing something, along those lines i just would like to see what you came up with.

[pittsburghmazda3]

Sure. Just used 2" wide by 1/8" thick aluminum from home depot or lowes. Heated it and bent it til it fit, then riveted it to the shroud. It just BARELY touches the ducting on the hood. I thought it would help direct more air into the I/C, and it acts kind of as a heat sink too, since the aluminum makes contact with the I/C, although I'm sure there's really no gains lol. Didn't mean to jack ur thread ESB Jiu JItsu

[Tenchix]

Hmm i see, not what i had in mind. But still cool, im thinking of a hood scoop on a speed 6, maybe just maybe...

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by pittsburghmazda3 Looking forward to seeing your "air management" projects. I don't know why, but I think aerodynamics are fuckin awesome! I modified my stock TMIC shroud to get more air in (cut out the mesh, added an aluminum "scoop". I also would like to open up the inlets around my fogs too for brake cooling. I wish I had the time, talent, and resources to do a complete "sealed" intercooler setup. Whereas there is inlet ducting, the intercooler, and outlet ducting, routing the air through a confined, controlled direction, and eliminating all the the turbulences, etc. Would cool better and improve aerodynamics.

thank you! and no thread jacking at all I love your scoop! Im obsessed with utilizing free things like air to help increase performance. Now that the front end is all chopped up i can get to work. Plenty of space to make some shoots and ladders lol for the air to run about on! I am not sure weather I will end up with high density plastic/ aluminum or doing a fiberglass setup but either way I know directing and collecting the air up front for the IC and helping create a draw behind the IC in fronbt of the rad will help air flow so Im very excited to see the results. I can already see air flow differences but i hop to do some tape and paper tests to really see how the more open front end is flowing. I cut out a lot of crap in that top grill area!!!!!!

[chuckms6]

my ect's hit 235° today so i decided to mess around with this when i got home.

the actual air guide is removable and the way the bumper and grill goes together its possible to reinstall the grill without the air guide and still hold the bumper up.

eventually i need to make an airflow divider to separate the air going above and below the grill and sort of fill in the hole, also to provide another mounting point where the air divider used to go. while the radiator will see better airflow, air will take the path of least resistance, and a separator will make sure the air coming under the grill doesnt go over the radiator into the engine bay

i also added zip ties from the holes from the clips to where the body clips are usually installed next to the screw until i fab the plate, even though the bumper mounts solid without them.

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Here is what i did.....you will notice a few things missing lol I actually plan on now modifying the TMIC duct to be more efficient to what i need it to cool as well but for right now its off and seem to allow my hood vent to release a lot more hot air.




Now thats what i call opening things up! Found some grill material i like and may consider using for the btm and top inserts. Looking forward to lots of time under the car this weekend to get some of these new ideas flowing and tested!

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

update! Found some grill material and went to work. She looks polished now All matching grills really improves the look and now im protected against the elements!





updated OP

[bova]

all i can do is put my palm to my forehead and shake my head

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by bova all i can do is put my palm to my forehead and shake my head

because you didnt think of it first right!!! lol it will all make sense once i go top mount and use the evo x intercooler, but until then Im sure people will not fully understand the face lift lol

[bnoon]

Something just doesn't look finished about it. I like the added function though and have even been thinking of starting something like this on my MS3 as well... but, just more um... finished.

[weakdog85]

looks awesome Aaron, haters gunna hate. the grill inserts definitely help the look.

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by weakdog85 looks awesome Aaron, haters gunna hate. the grill inserts definitely help the look.

thanks man!!! we still need to chill. hit me up anytime. Also check it out!!!! hope to see you guys there!

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...4-12-a-120284/

[mzr0818]

You should kick in the left side too for symmetry.

[chuckms6]

If you put the grille back in it would look a lot better IMO.

Tapatalking

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by chuckms6 If you put the grille back in it would look a lot better IMO. Tapatalking

neeeeehhhhhhhhh I like my look and the stock grill will not work with my future plans! but i appreciate your opinion

[greenespeed]

Great idea and function. I think the upper grille would look a tad better if you added an emblem to it, maybe a centered evil m just to offset the empty look. Plus that would not block much air.

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by greenespeed Great idea and function. I think the upper grille would look a tad better if you added an emblem to it, maybe a centered evil m just to offset the empty look. Plus that would not block much air.

I like that idea.... may look into some old emblems thank you! Constructive criticism = WIN!

[:: Gusto ::]

Originally Posted by ESB Jiu JItsu

did you cut your Crash.Bar to fit the FMIC in there?

[faeker]

of course he didn't. every crash bar has a section that fits a custom fmic core somewhat perfectly. they even add the little jagged parts to make it look non oem.

[:: Gusto ::]

Originally Posted by faeker of course he didn't. every crash bar has a section that fits a custom fmic core somewhat perfectly. they even add the little jagged parts to make it look non oem.

hah thanks....
in that case.. did he re-reinforce it..?

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

Originally Posted by :: Gusto :: did you cut your Crash.Bar to fit the FMIC in there?

I only cut the btm half portion of some of the crash bar. I needed the rest of it as a FMIC support lol


i like faeker 's answer better lol!

[:: Gusto ::]

this is the main reason i haven't installed my FMIC yet....
bought it 2yrs ago..but it requires removal of the crash.box.. & i drive like a ass... so it's something im worried I might need eventually..
I might just cut it tho.. thanks for doing it 1st.

heh

[SPEED3 EDDIE]

Omg...

[ESB Jiu JItsu]

beautiful right ?

[jack_hammer]

crash bars are overrated. ask daddy chinkus