Time to Grill Something

[Builder]

Yes, burgers and zucchini are on the grill this evening, but that's not what we're talking about here...

I'm not sure why I didn't order the factory grills, but perhaps there are some other options that will work just as well. I read a dozen posts using search, but didn't really find a good substitued.

There's a company called McMaster-Carr here that has 300,000 square feet of the best stuff in the world. I went through their parametric search engine and found some wire mesh that I think would work well. Here's the description:

Price - $33.00
Material Type - Aluminum
Aluminum Type - Alloy 3003
Condition/Temper - H14 Temper (half hard)
Shape - Sheets
Form - Round Hole Perforated Sheet
Opening Pattern - Staggered
General Opening Size - Medium
Hole Diameter - .25"
Center-to-Center Spacing - 5/16"
Sheet Width - 36"
Sheet Length - 40"
Thickness - .032"
Gauge - 20

How would you describe the stock mesh? And, what else have you used?

Thanks!

[GTRCLIVE]

Great Contact....... Mesh sounds alittle bigger on the hole size... but everything else sounds right.... But you dont have to do what ever every body else does.. Do what you think will work for you....

[bluesatin]

I used sheets of mesh from the local DIY store for the rad. It looks like the factory but much more open. I had a problem with the factory mesh blowing out on high speed runs.

[Builder]

GTRCLIVE said:

Great Contact.

Yup, they've got lots of great stuff!

GTRCLIVE said:

...Do what you think will work for you....

You know I will, Clive. I guess the important part is to use a mesh that will allow enough air folw, but limit the rocks. I noticed that the mesh is rated in terms of percent of open area. You think 1/4" is a little too big? Do you happen to know what percent is suitable? Or, is it that critical...would like to use something asthetic, too.

Edited by Builder on Sunday 23 September 07:31

[Builder]

bluesatin said:

I used sheets of mesh from the local DIY store for the rad. It looks like the factory but much more open. I had a problem with the factory mesh blowing out on high speed runs.

Blowing out! Holy crap! What size would you say your mesh is now?

Thanks, Guy.

[Steve_D]

The factory grill is what is known as 'Expanded Metal' (Google will show examples).
This results in a diamond shape hole 0.25" long by 0.1" high the material is .04" thick and each cut leaves material around the hole .088" wide. no metal is removed just cut and stretched.

The expanded metal has one major advantage over the punched material you are looking at in that it is like a louver blind with the holes passing through it at an angle. If you use it on the side grill and fit it with the holes angled out and down you can't see through it when normally viewing the car so all the guts of the car are not on view. I've seen some with this problem and do not like the look.

Having said that I think the grill may be too fine on the exit from the rad and may restrict airflow. Many have omitted this grill but you have to stand right over the car to look in so the aesthetics are not an issue here.

Steve

[bluesatin]

The factory did the same on the track day red ultima (one with different offset at the front). It used to deform at the middle on max speed runs (around 170 mph) Not a problem now.

[San Diego GTR]

Hey Scott,
Just a thought. I reread your question and you didn't say which grill you're talking about. Just to be clear, the front grill for the radiator is different than all the other grills on the car. The front is stainless steel wire mesh and the rest are stamped, anodized aluminum. Which ones were you interested in? I'll email you pics if you need them to pic something that is a close match.
Paul

[Builder]

Steve_D said:

The factory grill is what is known as 'Expanded Metal' (Google will show examples).
This results in a diamond shape hole 0.25" long by 0.1" high the material is .04" thick and each cut leaves material around the hole .088" wide. no metal is removed just cut and stretched.

The expanded metal has one major advantage over the punched material you are looking at in that it is like a louver blind with the holes passing through it at an angle. If you use it on the side grill and fit it with the holes angled out and down you can't see through it when normally viewing the car so all the guts of the car are not on view. I've seen some with this problem and do not like the look.

Having said that I think the grill may be too fine on the exit from the rad and may restrict airflow. Many have omitted this grill but you have to stand right over the car to look in so the aesthetics are not an issue here.

Steve

Thanks for the info, Steve. Your description should allow me to locate something that will flow similar air volume.

I know what you mean about the guts showing through. That's not the look I am going for. However, that has to be a better flowing grill than might otherwise be used. I wouldn't switch to the more open design unless there was a heat problem. Nobody has that, do they?

I don't have the luxury of going to McMaster to look at samples. So, I appreciate the extra visual description. Maybe I can find a sales rep that will walk out to the warehouse and help with a visual selection.

Yes, it seems many builders omit the top rad grill. It doesn't look like anything is missing (when it's not there) I don't think...so I wasnt's planning on putting one in there.

Thanks again!

[Builder]

bluesatin said:

The factory did the same on the track day red ultima (one with different offset at the front). It used to deform at the middle on max speed runs (around 170 mph) Not a problem now.

That wouldn't be good! Maybe it's no extra drag, and maybe air needs restriction at that speed. But, I will close the area off with a removable panel if that's the case. I don't anticipate those speeds while driving the car on a daily basis. Ha-ha...we'll see!!!

[Builder]

San Diego GTR said:

Hey Scott,
Just a thought. I reread your question and you didn't say which grill you're talking about. Just to be clear, the front grill for the radiator is different than all the other grills on the car. The front is stainless steel wire mesh and the rest are stamped, anodized aluminum. Which ones were you interested in? I'll email you pics if you need them to pic something that is a close match.
Paul

Thanks, Paul. Got your email. Good stuff. Yes, I am talking about all of them. I wasn't planning on using a different type of grill for the front, but that makes sense doesn't it. Thanks for pointing that out.

I have replied to your email...

[bluesatin]

this should give you some ideas


I think the factory use HK11 while i have gone for something like HK1

[Builder]

bluesatin said:

this should give you some ideas...

Guy, that's not much to choose from. Thanks!

Did you use that just on the front, or on the rest of the openings as well? I like the idea of matching grills, but perhaps it makes more sense to use different types. The grills have a lot to do with the looks of the car, so I consider this somewhat an important choice.

[ROWDYRENAULT]

Hi guys; Just a thought for anyone reading this topic. The stock grill product has a grain to it and particularly if you turn one of the grills on the top of the rear hatch oppisite of the rest it sticks out terribly. Actually looks like its painted a different color. If it sounds like for once I know what I speak of ......... Lee

[Builder]

ROWDYRENAULT said:

Hi guys; Just a thought for anyone reading this topic. The stock grill product has a grain to it and particularly if you turn one of the grills on the top of the rear hatch oppisite of the rest it sticks out terribly. Actually looks like its painted a different color. If it sounds like for once I know what I speak of ......... Lee

Lee, is this one of those "been there, done that, got the T-shirt" experiences?

[bluesatin]

I used the standard grills from Ultima for all areas of the car. They supply an open design for the rad intake- I used the as mentioned before a more open design for the rad output (fan bit). This is the area I had problems with.

[Builder]

bluesatin said:

...for the rad output (fan bit). This is the area I had problems with.

Oh, got it. Otherwise, how would it blow...out.

[Builder]

Are the factory grills aluminum? It seems most of the ali grills (found on line) have larger holes than 0.25 x 0.1 in Steve's description above.

[Steve_D]

The factory grill are ali expanded metal, anodised and dyed black.

The grill in front of the rad is stainless steel wire (0.062&quot welded in a 0.5" square pattern.

Steve

[Builder]

Steve_D said:

The factory grill are ali expanded metal, anodised and dyed black.

The grill in front of the rad is stainless steel wire (0.062&quot welded in a 0.5" square pattern.

Steve

Thanks again, Steve. We'll keep looking for the ali stuff.