My Ge8 Grille Projects

[RUNBIKERUN]

Just wanted to show a couple pics of my grille projects. The one with rounded openings is unpainted in the pic. I have a few ideas that I have been working on. No intent to sell these grilles just having fun learning how to make them. I'll post more pics up as projects are finished.
http://www.hondafitforums.com/picture.php?albumid=4&pictureid=37
http://www.hondafitforums.com/picture.php?albumid=4&pictureid=38

[claymore]

Pretty good looking but we hunger for some details on how you go about making them.

[RUNBIKERUN]

I really am learning as I go. I bought some fiberglass stuff and Bondo to start. I also bought a couple oem grilles so I wouldn't have to fab the mounting points. This hopefully insures a pretty clean fit. I bought some mesh for the openings. I also just picked up an open front Civic grille that I can cut the heavier mesh out of. It's been fun!

[manxman]

Nice work so far- very artistic. Congratulations for having the inspiration to learn something new. Don't forget to protect your A/C condenser with some kind of grille material, someday, before a rock brings you a $700.00 repair bill.;);)

[RUNBIKERUN]

Thanks, That is definitely a good recomendation. You can't see it in the pics but I do have mesh in there for that reason.

[manxman]

Thanks, That is definitely a good recomendation. You can't see it in the pics but I do have mesh in there for that reason.
Based on the intelligence of your posts here and elsewhere (you can even spell "Definitely" right, unlike most) I suspected that that might be the case, and I think that you participated in some of the fitfreak threads about this mod. I just didn't see any mesh in your photo, which didn't mean that it wasn't there. In my own first attempt with grille materials in my fitfreak thread, I put the screen mesh material behind the lower grille ribs. That made the lower grille catch and hold onto every leaf, weed, and scrap of paper blowing around on the streets and highways. Turned my GD3 into a 100 hp Hoover. Best to put grille screen material in front of the plastic ribs, IMO, or buy a billet grille.

I brought it up mainly for the benefit of some of our new members, who are also picking up new Fits.

[RUNBIKERUN]

Good call. Yeah, I posted on another site as well. I was really curious to see how opinions differed between the two sites.

Anybody know how much air flow is actually needed from that top grille? I was contemplating making one up that is nearly solid to see if gas mileage is improved.

[manxman]

Good call. Yeah, I posted on another site as well. I was really curious to see how opinions differed between the two sites.

Anybody know how much air flow is actually needed from that top grille? I was contemplating making one up that is nearly solid to see if gas mileage is improved.
Suggestion: before you go to the trouble to make a solid fiberglass upper grille, tape some cardboard behind or in front of your present upper grille, and take a hard drive in some warm weather. Watch carefully to see if there are any overheating issues (a Scan Gauge would be the most accurate way to tell). It does not seem like there is enough air flow through that little opening to have much of an effect on anything, but then I am not a Honda Design Engineer. If no air flow was necessary, they could have saved money by molding a solid piece instead of troubling with the open mesh.

[RUNBIKERUN]

Thanks, you are right. The simple tape test would be a ton easier to start with. Now I just have to wait for some nice warm weather in Michigan.

[manxman]

Thanks, you are right. The simple tape test would be a ton easier to start with. Now I just have to wait for some nice warm weather in Michigan.
Hah! During a business trip to Marquette and Escanaba on the U.P. in July of about 1984, the fellow employee that I was there to help said: "Congratulations. You got here during the week of Summer". Good luck with the idea.

[EXWRX]

I like the upper grille a lot. What wheels are you running? It looks like a nice, open design.

[RUNBIKERUN]

I like the upper grille a lot. What wheels are you running? It looks like a nice, open design.

Thanks, these are my winter Tire rack wheels TRmotorsports. I think they are the C1s.

[claymore]

Yea a nice test on closing off part of the grill to see what happens would be great. It SHOULD get you some better mileage theoretically but if it's enough to actually measure that would be good to know. BUT be careful of overcooking your engine in the process.

[RUNBIKERUN]

Okay. Here are some new pics. One of the latest idea and the other just a painted version of the three hole idea.
http://www.hondafitforums.com/picture.php?albumid=4&pictureid=58

http://www.hondafitforums.com/picture.php?albumid=4&pictureid=59

[manxman]

For someone who has NOT been doing this kind of design work for years, you show a lot of talent! If you could mass-produce either of those styles with dependable quality, I'll bet that they would sell in pretty heavy numbers. The sad thing is, now that you have posted photos, copies of your work will show up on Ebay within weeks. Just watch-----------

[RUNBIKERUN]

Thanks Man. I actually would be pleased to see some copies showing up. The non Jdm Ge's need some attention.

[claymore]

Like the top one. Looks like a Mugen model.

[zetaproducts.net]

Thanks Man. I actually would be pleased to see some copies showing up. The non Jdm Ge's need some attention.

If you can mass produce, they will come... (and I will sell them) ;)