Grille VS No Grille

MX5CHIC · Postby **MX5CHIC** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:44 pm

I have previously replaced an Air Conditioning Condensor due to a stone hitting it, so it begs the question as to whether to fit a Grille or to take your chances without one?
I have just made up a second grille for my NB8A in the pursuit of decent looking protection, after having a good look I have decided I will paint it black over the weekend ... cost under $60 for parts - your opinions?
If you have a great looking grille please post up a photo for all to see .. I'm interested in other options.

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:50 pm

i have a great looking grille FS lol

it looks good mx5chic, but would prefer it black. more stealth.

Duj · Postby **Duj** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:09 pm

Id love to buy an NB8A grille if anyone has one they'd like to sell me...?

MX5CHIC · Postby **MX5CHIC** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:14 pm

Yes Sliq I will definitely make it black, black is good :lol:

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:58 pm

I concur with the 'go black'.

This is going to sound ghetto in the worst possible way... but I actually have a strip of metal gutter guard cable tied in as mine. No, seriously, it works. Plus it's set quite far in, so you can't see it.

When it's full of bugs I just replace it with a new strip. :mrgreen:

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:03 pm

I had a stainless steel grille fitted for a while - looked ok, but in the end I removed it because I had coolant temp problems at the track. Was fine in normal driving though.

I thought I would have had a decent pic showing it on the car but I don't

Another vote for painting yours black MX5CHIC

Edit: Oh what the hell, here's a poor attempt at a grille pic: (this thread needs more black 5's anyway

) You can see the grille if you look closely, very closely.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:43 pm

NMX516 wrote:....I had coolant temp problems at the track. Was fine in normal driving though.

.

What he said.

Mine didn't overheat, and the needle on the dash didn't move higher than normal, but datalogging via MegaSquirt showed temps 5-8degrees Celcius higher with the grille on.
It's no biggie, but I took it off whilst on track just as a precaution.

here's one I prepared earlier

NMX516 wrote:....I had coolant temp problems at the track. Was fine in normal driving though.

.

RG.net · Postby **RG.net** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:59 pm

i had a grille for a while, ended up getting over it.

Paint it bleck.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:28 am

I had a "Techno" grill (finished in stainless steel weave pattern) that I had for a long time. It was removed when I fitted the SE front spoiler (in May this year) and haven't bother to fit it back.

Plus everyone recommended that I don't put any grill in-front of the intercooler.

MX5CHIC · Postby **MX5CHIC** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:44 am

I'll be trying to stick with a grille, the Air Con Condensor $320 + Dryer / Receiver (has to be replaced if gas is lost) $73 + ReGas $140 ... over $500 damage from one well placed high velocity stone ..... :cry:

Get back to you with a pic of the Black Grille

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:02 am

were you actually aware when the rock hit the condensor? pull over to the side of the street?

MX5CHIC · Postby **MX5CHIC** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:56 am

No I was not aware at all .. until I switched on the A/C and no cold air! Inspected the Condensor and found a piece of Gravel in the fins with an obvious leak around it. Bummer.