BRZ Front Grille Picture DIY

[choi0706]

Originally Posted by xn7485

Woah, didnt check this thread after I made it, sorry for delayed response but better late than never!

I gotta say I don't really like having the car with the shiny grille either, I plan on painting it black once it gets warmer.

As for airflow, having anything in front of the condenser/radiator would restrict airflow. Personally I do not believe this mod to be bad, though I do not have any evidence backing my claim up.
A Subaru mechanic also pointed out to me that this opening was one of his concerns, especially with the car sitting low, that a flying rock may damage the aluminum condenser as it was.



Only one I got






ProjectD actually PM'd me about this too, it took just one segment of the precut pieces at home depot. I just had to trim off about 4 inches on the length. I have the photo of the label of the exact one I got in OP.

So I suggest EVERYONE to do THIS!


A ROCK hit and damaged my condenser already..

[Gunman]

When mounted, the fender washers appear to be 1/4 to 3/8 from the back of the mesh, is that the case? and if so, does the grill float fore/aft?

[xn7485]

Originally Posted by Gunman

When mounted, the fender washers appear to be 1/4 to 3/8 from the back of the mesh, is that the case? and if so, does the grill float fore/aft?

Yes, I suppose I could get a spacer of some sort to keep it tight - probably can stack 2 or 3 fat rubber washers, but the grill does not move due to the curvature it needs to sit at along with those other 2 protruding pieces of plastic nearby which do a good job of keeping it in place.

[Gunman]

Thanks. Could see about a zip tie, or safety wire in the middle too.

[xn7485]

Originally Posted by Gunman

Thanks. Could see about a zip tie, or safety wire in the middle too.

Always room for improvement! There's a reason why I'm not being paid as an engineer lol.

Anyways, new pictures with black grille updated in OP.

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by xn7485

Always room for improvement! There's a reason why I'm not being paid as an engineer lol.

haha, and the reason I am, and the reason I over analyze all this stuff

Anyways, new pictures with black grille updated in OP.

Nice.

Notice engine temps being any higher?

[xn7485]

Originally Posted by Gunman

Notice engine temps being any higher?

Oh good point. Not at all! My hypothesis should now be an accepted theory.

Another cool thing is, when I first did this mod, there were a bunch of leaves and debris when I took the bottom plates off. This time there were none! Though leaves getting caught between grille and bumper made it look like it had stuff stuck in 'teeth' when it was silver.

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by xn7485

Oh good point. Not at all! My hypothesis should now be an accepted theory.

Another cool thing is, when I first did this mod, there were a bunch of leaves and debris when I took the bottom plates off. This time there were none! Though leaves getting caught between grille and bumper made it look like it had stuff stuck in 'teeth' when it was silver.

fwiw you're "cooling drag" should be lower too. We use a similar screen on the Vipers this year, and it's so much easier to get debris off during a pit stop vs. getting it out of the radiator inlet.

This one is on my to-do list for the BRZ. Thanks for the info.

[zc06_kisstherain]

I've done similar to this to my old RSX. it does its job for preventing rocks hitting condensor. I might do this on my BRZ but not planning anything yet

[BRZnut]

Looks good...would like to see it black and mounted on the outside. Anyone do that?

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by BRZnut

Looks good...would like to see it black and mounted on the outside. Anyone do that?

check the DIY section on the other subaru brz forum dot com (not sure if rules allow me to link)

[Marcoscrdo]

Nice!! Thanks a lot! I gotta do this asap.

[jimmillion]

To add to the this thread, heres my installation photos.


Removing the bumper was surprisingly straightforward thanks to all the removal threads all over the forums.


I used some leftover Honda panel clips I had laying around instead of bolts. They were very very snug so I didn't bother gluing them down or anything. Black zip ties were used at each vertical bar top and bottom for added support. If you weren't looking for the ties you wouldn't notice them.


Didn't bother wrapping the edges with molding/tubing as dirt and salt would just collect in it and form rust. I didn't trim it because theres nothing back there for it to catch.


I sprayed it black, but i can already see the paint chipping away over time. I'll keep my eye out for a grill made of black metal for the future and switch it out. For now, this is perfect for what I want it for and would recommend it to anyone. It really completes the car.

P.S. The gutter guards that OP and I used can be found at Lowes.

[notout86]

Originally Posted by xn7485

Oh good point. Not at all! My hypothesis should now be an accepted theory.

Another cool thing is, when I first did this mod, there were a bunch of leaves and debris when I took the bottom plates off. This time there were none! Though leaves getting caught between grille and bumper made it look like it had stuff stuck in 'teeth' when it was silver.

Good trade off I would think ..... the reduced airflow of your mod will be offset by lack of bugs and stuff on the radiator