Non A/C front bumper grill what to do with it?

[windym]

Hi, I have a non A/C car and as such have a blanking plate masquerading as a grill.
So here,s my question or questions, does the lack of air intake because of the blanked off space affect cooling in summer and pretty much the same question in reverse. Should I un-blank the space with a new working grill or would this allow too much cold air flow through in winter not allowing the car to reach temp correctly?

If so what are my grill options, was looking for the forum. Excuses to spend mo money on things that don't need to be changed but could not help myself. Im guessing though that forum exists as a given but is never talked about.

Cheers Guys Andy

 

[GazHyde]

There are a few aftermarket options of which one is http://www.zunsport.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=z3

 

[windym]

^ Hi thanks, any thoughts on over or under cooling or would this not be an issue?

Andy

 

[Nifty Fifty]

I also have a non A/C Z3 and have what looks like a home made mesh infill which is how I purchased the car last year. I have not experienced any issues through the summer months but cannot say what if anything would be affected in the winter months as I SORN the car from Sept through to April, but the car must have been used by the previous owners in the winter and none of the service history that I have indicates over / under heating problems. Like wise when I purchased the Z I had a full service and overhaul by an independent BMW garage to see if I bought a dud and I'm sure they would have mentioned if it was an issue?
I'm sure some of the more technical boffs on the forum may come up with other comments.
Nifty

 

[Brian H]

Hi, I have a non A/C car and as such have a blanking plate masquerading as a grill.
So here,s my question or questions, does the lack of air intake because of the blanked off space affect cooling in summer and pretty much the same question in reverse. Should I un-blank the space with a new working grill or would this allow too much cold air flow through in winter not allowing the car to reach temp correctly?

View attachment 22492

If so what are my grill options, was looking for the forum. Excuses to spend mo money on things that don't need to be changed but could not help myself. Im guessing though that forum exists as a given but is never talked about.

Cheers Guys Andy

I would not worry about the blanking plate too much, the car was designed to run with this in place, removing it may affect the cooling I.e. over cool but tbh I've not heard of anyone having any specific issue relating to this. Aftermarket grills are available as Gary has linked too.

 

[Antm72]

I would say it would cause no issue removed the viscous fan would compansate for the cooling by not needing to cut itself back in so quickly the car has a running temp the stat and the fans etc are designed to handle the changes.
The only thing that springs to mind is that on an a/c car the fan is large and has its own protection from stones protecting the radiator ,opening it up fully may make it alittle more vunerable to flying road debris but as far as the heating/ cooling little difference i imagine.

 

[windym]

Hi thanks, I understand the front grill on the 1.9 is smaller than the other larger engined Z,s, also looking at access which is limited for removing the grill with the bumper in situ. I am considering removing the number plate, marking out on a grid then transferring the marks to the grill and drilling a series of smaller holes. I am hoping I can do this without needing mesh, if it fails then I guess I will have to purchase a mesh grill and remove the bumper to fit.

Andy

 

[windym]

Hi had a think about this and came to the conclusion I was as ever over-thinking things. So went on eBay and purchased some stainless woven mesh for £8.

So after that removed the faux grill and the horrible fixings cut the mesh to size making sure it was held firmly at the edges 5 self tapping screws later a working attractive grill.

The stainless was a pain to cut and shape but very happy

Andy

 

[Mint]

Looking good Andy

 

[Antm72]

Looks great ! Top marks

 

[t-tony]

Well worth the effort Andy. Nice job. If you have some pictures of the fittings it would be a good addition to the "How to .... " section mate.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

Looks good, but can you take a picture from a little further away as well please! Just to get the overall look

 

[windym]

Hi, will take a few more tomorrow its very easy to do if anyone wants the bay link for the mesh it,s the mesh-company.

Andy

 

[windym]

From a different angle sorry for the poor pic.

Andy

 

[GazHyde]

Thanks for taking the extra pic, looks almost standard from this angle

 

[t-tony]

Nice job Andy.

Tony.

 

[windym]

Cheers guys, the car is going back to the mechanic to sort out the rear end noise tomorrow, if I get a chance over the weekend I will dismantle and take some step by step pics. Looking at the car I seriously need to de-tango it and space those wheels to fill the arches, I'm not sure about lowering yet and I still have a few jobs to do the black carbon BMW centres came today and are on so thats a minor job taken care of.

One question with the oil cooler pipe, I found some rust on it although I doubt it,s in any danger of perforating is it worth replacing with a 3 or 5 row oil cooler. I have the chance of a 3///M console and quite fancy having a few more dials going on in the cabin, oil temp and battery I have the analogue clock already so was considering this mod, any ideas?

Andy

 

[windym]

Was out driving today and the new grill certainly has an effect on the cooling, at a steady 55/60 the temp gauge sat just over the blue, where before it would have sat mid way between blue and half. I'm hoping that is ok had the heater on and still plenty of hot air so all in all pretty pleased.

Andy

 

[littlefeller]

if you run the heater it will lower the temp gauge, mine falls quite a bit with it on, brob about the same as yours and i still have the blanking plate fitted

 

[windym]

Hi, sorry did not explain properly it now sits just above blue with no heater, and drops to the blue when the heater is on.

Andy