DIY: Oil cooler opening mesh & grille replacement
09-29-2004, 04:44 PM
#177
Clemson, NOT Auburn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
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I am about to add the mesh to my 8, but i just thought about something else, has anyone thought about adding the wire mesh to the fender vents? maybe rig up a way to get it in there some how? just thought that it may look pretty cool. If someone has tried this, let me know how it looks. Thanks.
09-29-2004, 07:06 PM
#179
Moderator with a mycocardium
Originally Posted by Tigerfootball
I am about to add the mesh to my 8, but i just thought about something else, has anyone thought about adding the wire mesh to the fender vents? maybe rig up a way to get it in there some how? just thought that it may look pretty cool. If someone has tried this, let me know how it looks. Thanks.
Not that I have done it, mind you...shhhhhhhh
Stay tuned to an RX8club forum near you. :D
Last edited by D MENAC 7; 09-29-2004 at 07:10 PM.
10-14-2004, 06:20 PM
#180
Registered
Yet another approach
I finally got around to doing my "fix" for the oil cooler and A/C condensor/radiator protection and since it was a bit different solution to the problem, I thought I would post some pics and a short description of the process. I won't repeat the process of removing the nose since it is covered in detail elsewhere in this DIY.
For the A/C condensor/radiator protection, I used a diamond-shaped, expanded steel grid (Pic #1) that passes 63% of the air volume reaching the front of the grille. I purchased the grid at a local Lowe's hardware. This pattern provides about the highest air volume for the various available grid patterns while still providing protection against impact by significant-sized objects. Of course, the smaller the grid openings, the more blocking material and the lower volume of air that the grid will pass to the A/C condensor/radiator. This pattern nearly matches the pattern in the original grille, especially when painted black.
The grid was fabricated in 2 sections because the material was not long enough to cover the entire opening. The joint between the 2 pieces (Pic #2) was angled so that it was hidden by the rotary accent. Both sections of the grid were attached with a combination of one screw each into an existing hole along with several black zip ties. BTW, the steel is very difficult to work with and I would recommend using aluminum of the same pattern for much easier fabrication. Such material is available from several sources, some of them on-line including http://www.mcmaster.com, but it is not cheap.
For the oil coolers, I chose to purchase and install the Racing Beat grids. I had fabricated grids with the same expanded steel but I decided to go with the RB grids to simplified the installation (Pics #3&5). Installation of these grids was simple and staightforward. (With the nose off the car obviously.)
The final product is shown in picture #4.
For the A/C condensor/radiator protection, I used a diamond-shaped, expanded steel grid (Pic #1) that passes 63% of the air volume reaching the front of the grille. I purchased the grid at a local Lowe's hardware. This pattern provides about the highest air volume for the various available grid patterns while still providing protection against impact by significant-sized objects. Of course, the smaller the grid openings, the more blocking material and the lower volume of air that the grid will pass to the A/C condensor/radiator. This pattern nearly matches the pattern in the original grille, especially when painted black.
The grid was fabricated in 2 sections because the material was not long enough to cover the entire opening. The joint between the 2 pieces (Pic #2) was angled so that it was hidden by the rotary accent. Both sections of the grid were attached with a combination of one screw each into an existing hole along with several black zip ties. BTW, the steel is very difficult to work with and I would recommend using aluminum of the same pattern for much easier fabrication. Such material is available from several sources, some of them on-line including http://www.mcmaster.com, but it is not cheap.
For the oil coolers, I chose to purchase and install the Racing Beat grids. I had fabricated grids with the same expanded steel but I decided to go with the RB grids to simplified the installation (Pics #3&5). Installation of these grids was simple and staightforward. (With the nose off the car obviously.)
The final product is shown in picture #4.
10-14-2004, 06:42 PM
#181
Originally Posted by Go48
For the A/C condensor/radiator protection, I used a diamond-shaped, expanded steel grid (Pic #1) that passes 63% of the air volume reaching the front of the grille. I purchased the grid at a local Lowe's hardware. This pattern provides about the highest air volume for the various available grid patterns while still providing protection against impact by significant-sized objects. Of course, the smaller the grid openings, the more blocking material and the lower volume of air that the grid will pass to the A/C condensor/radiator. This pattern nearly matches the pattern in the original grille, especially when painted black.
For the oil coolers, I chose to purchase and install the Racing Beat grids. I had fabricated grids with the same expanded steel but I decided to go with the RB grids to simplified the installation (Pics #3&5). Installation of these grids was simple and staightforward. (With the nose off the car obviously.)
The final product is shown in picture #4.
For the oil coolers, I chose to purchase and install the Racing Beat grids. I had fabricated grids with the same expanded steel but I decided to go with the RB grids to simplified the installation (Pics #3&5). Installation of these grids was simple and staightforward. (With the nose off the car obviously.)
The final product is shown in picture #4.
The stainless steel woven wire mesh I used has 71% open area, and will not allow something 1/4" in diameter though (Aperature is actually 5.3mm). And those RB ones - in the further back photo's it looks like they are not very open! And I didn't know they were not powder-coated either.
Hymee Enhanced Grill Kits - the original and still the best. In my unbiased opinion
Cheers,
Hymee.
10-15-2004, 06:29 AM
#182
Registered
RB Oil Cooler Protection
<<And those RB ones - in the further back photo's it looks like they are not very open! And I didn't know they were not powder-coated either.
>>
The RB grids are stainless steel wire mesh, and I believe that RB states 63% air passage. (The photo may be a little misleading.) I did the research on the dimensions of this mesh myself and it is, indeed, 63%. In researching the various screens and expanded metal mesh dimensions, I didn't see anything higher than 63%. Not to say there aren't some, just that I didn't see any.
>>
The RB grids are stainless steel wire mesh, and I believe that RB states 63% air passage. (The photo may be a little misleading.) I did the research on the dimensions of this mesh myself and it is, indeed, 63%. In researching the various screens and expanded metal mesh dimensions, I didn't see anything higher than 63%. Not to say there aren't some, just that I didn't see any.
10-15-2004, 06:37 AM
#183
Dont get me wrong, I wasn't critisizing you, your research, or your choice. I was just adding more "hard figures" to the discussion, and as a comparison.
63% airflow. Call me cynical, but I think of that as saying it is nearly 1/2 blocked.
Cheers,
Hymee.
63% airflow. Call me cynical, but I think of that as saying it is nearly 1/2 blocked.
Cheers,
Hymee.
10-15-2004, 07:29 AM
#184
Registered
No offense taken Hymee. In fact, I should retract my statement about 63% being the highest air passage available. I just checked McMaster's web site and it is obvious that my memory did not serve me well. According to the specs on some of their mesh sheets, you can get very high air passage. Of course, it is a trade-off between the amount of air passage, mesh size and opening size, so one must decide what they think is the best option for protection while still allowing adequate air passage to the radiators/coolers.
10-15-2004, 12:30 PM
#186
Originally Posted by Go48
No offense taken Hymee. In fact, I should retract my statement about 63% being the highest air passage available. I just checked McMaster's web site and it is obvious that my memory did not serve me well. According to the specs on some of their mesh sheets, you can get very high air passage. Of course, it is a trade-off between the amount of air passage, mesh size and opening size, so one must decide what they think is the best option for protection while still allowing adequate air passage to the radiators/coolers.
Yes - the trick is getting the combo of wire size, apperature, and flow impediment optimal. I could have gotten more than 71% open area (I think about 80+), but it would have been at the expense of thinner wire, and larger "holes". So I chose what I did as the best option considering everything.
Cheers,
Hymee.
10-16-2004, 01:12 AM
#187
Moderator with a mycocardium
First let me show a table which is of wire cloth percentages of opening that may be of help.
It all comes down to guage of wire and size of opening as to what provides the most percentage of air passage.
This is with wire cloth which is very functional but not the prettiest of materials to use when appearance counts.
It all comes down to guage of wire and size of opening as to what provides the most percentage of air passage.
This is with wire cloth which is very functional but not the prettiest of materials to use when appearance counts.
10-16-2004, 01:35 AM
#188
Moderator with a mycocardium
What I use for the AC Condensor Grill is made from 0.051 thick aluminum with an open area percentage around 72%.
Here is a pic that gives a better idea as to how large the openings are in this material.
Something that is as small as 1/3" which would have to be at exactly the right angle could pass through this opening but, I have doubt that something that small could do any damage unless it was traveling at a balistic speed and I do not think that rocks and road debris travel that fast.
What we offer for the Oil Cooler Grill comes in even a smaller sized diamond pattern than this with openings that are only 1/4" in size. We also offer the smaller diamond pattern for the AC Condesnor Grill too if one wishes to keep the two identical.
My preference is to use the larger because it looks better covering such a large span. The small holes across that large a gap looks more like a screen door.
Speaking of which, if I just wanted protection, I would have cut up my screen door and stuck it in there, it would not have been pretty but it would have been functional.
I always say there is always room for improvement on any "original" so called "best".
RX8Fun Oil Cooler and AC Condensor Grills, more than just functional, they look good too. Perfection at it's finest.
Here is a pic that gives a better idea as to how large the openings are in this material.
Something that is as small as 1/3" which would have to be at exactly the right angle could pass through this opening but, I have doubt that something that small could do any damage unless it was traveling at a balistic speed and I do not think that rocks and road debris travel that fast.
What we offer for the Oil Cooler Grill comes in even a smaller sized diamond pattern than this with openings that are only 1/4" in size. We also offer the smaller diamond pattern for the AC Condesnor Grill too if one wishes to keep the two identical.
My preference is to use the larger because it looks better covering such a large span. The small holes across that large a gap looks more like a screen door.
Speaking of which, if I just wanted protection, I would have cut up my screen door and stuck it in there, it would not have been pretty but it would have been functional.
I always say there is always room for improvement on any "original" so called "best".
RX8Fun Oil Cooler and AC Condensor Grills, more than just functional, they look good too. Perfection at it's finest.
10-16-2004, 01:37 AM
#189
Moderator with a mycocardium
Furthermore, these grills don't just sit behind the front end, they attach to the front end.
Last edited by D MENAC 7; 10-16-2004 at 01:43 AM.
04-29-2005, 05:07 PM
#190
mike
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: nj
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http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/668220 check out my grill ...
08-27-2006, 07:31 PM
#192
Originally Posted by nhk
I just drill couple of hole in my oem front grille mesh. :p
Have not installed in back to my car yet
Have not installed in back to my car yet
08-27-2006, 07:42 PM
#193
I quickly fabed up my own ac condenser/radiator screen, with a sheet of $9 diamond mesh from home depot. In order for it to not side directly on the condenser, i.e. have 1/2 inch of clearance I folded the edges into a box shape.
Further I cut out clearances for all the Freon lines that run to the condenser and other obstructions.
For the Oil colors I purchased the black plastic gutter guard from home depot, I attempted to use diamond mesh, however I can't stand silver colored grills and no paint I found could hold up to the punishment of rocks and it ended up looking very dodgy.
Pics below explain it very well.
PS brakekleen and degreaser along with some scrubbing gets the grills very clean.
Further I cut out clearances for all the Freon lines that run to the condenser and other obstructions.
For the Oil colors I purchased the black plastic gutter guard from home depot, I attempted to use diamond mesh, however I can't stand silver colored grills and no paint I found could hold up to the punishment of rocks and it ended up looking very dodgy.
Pics below explain it very well.
PS brakekleen and degreaser along with some scrubbing gets the grills very clean.
Last edited by PoLaK; 08-27-2006 at 07:44 PM.
05-01-2007, 10:36 AM
#194
Originally Posted by GreatGraySkwid
I haven't used the stuff myself, but you can get high-quality mesh for grill screens in sheets from this guy:
http://www.customcargrills.com/
And, yes, this is different stuff than what they sell at Lowes for gutters...similar in appearance, but stronger and better weather proofing.
OTOH...I guarantee that cheapo aluminum Gutter Guard would look better than what you're using here...and protect better, too. Just make sure you get the aluminum kind and not the galvanized steel kind, unless you're also going to spray paint them with Rust-oleum...
http://www.customcargrills.com/
And, yes, this is different stuff than what they sell at Lowes for gutters...similar in appearance, but stronger and better weather proofing.
OTOH...I guarantee that cheapo aluminum Gutter Guard would look better than what you're using here...and protect better, too. Just make sure you get the aluminum kind and not the galvanized steel kind, unless you're also going to spray paint them with Rust-oleum...
THIS PLACE DOESNT EVEN CARRY RX8 STUFF...I SEARCHED FOR RX8 AND GOT NO RESULTS!!!!!!!
09-09-2009, 11:52 AM
#197
I did this over the weekend. The screens are metal gutter guard from Home Depot ($1.94 X 2) and I painted them with some decent gloss black spray paint from Rustoleum. The paint chips very easily, and I even used primer. Just be carefull when you are installing the grills and you should be okay. I don't think it will bother me, but only time will tell how much it will really chip. I also painted the plastic grill in the bumper while I had the bumper off. It comes out easily and I like the way all the grills match.
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