After installing my Comptech/Akimoto intake in the interim I took off the front grille from Grille Tech because I felt it would help in getting air to the filter. I also added the Coastal Metals black plate (some have 'em in carbon fiber or aluminum) with the inlet which directs air (in this case) directly onto the filter. However, during some mechanical modifications my mechanic wrapped up, I had them paint the silver Grille Tech piece flat black for a winter install but they ended up re-installing it. I didn't think much of it until several days later when I felt the car wasn't running quite as strong as it was the day I had the intake finished and the pullies done. I couldn't put my finger on it and was fidgeting around the engine bay when it dawned on me that for the first couple of days after the newbie intake, I had the grille off. So, without hesitating, I removed the grille and a light went off above my head. We have an industrial fan at work (same kind you see in front of dynos) and I took the grille in with me for a quick experiment. Standing in front of the fan with my face even with the wind (it literally will blow your hair back at full speed) I placed the grille directly in front of my face and it was like someone had turned the speed down several notches. I taped a tissue on a pencil and could barely keep the pencil steady while holding it in front of the fan. The tissue was blowing very hard but as soon as I had someone place the grille in front of the pencil, the tissue gently floated south. Not quite totally downward, but definitely not horizontal like it was before the grille. Take away the grille and the tissue is flying at 90-degrees again, flapping like crazy. It dawned on me that the grille, while certainly providing protection for the compressor and radiator, is more of a flow hinderence than I previously could have imagined.
Well, considering my placebo affect at my age has been tamed pretty well, I took the car out (following the experiment) to my road course I have laid out (little or no traffic) and voila...the difference from 40-90mph was
immediately apparent. I wouldn't hazard a guess as to the #'s but the throttle response picked up considerably. For someone with an intake like mine that depends on good air flow (I have a CAI hose from the brake duct to the filter as well), the more air flowing up into that engine bay the better. It was clearly a case where horsepower was being sacrificed for protection. It's my decision, but in this case, I have a $100 deductible for comprehensive. If I lose the compressor or some other damage, I'll replace it but I'm on a new kick and am not really into buying products these days that make the car so appreciably slower. This probably wouldn't be a big deal for those with AEM or INJEN-style intakes but for someone like me who prefers short-CAI tubes with close filters (more flow), the reduced flow of air with the grille in place was making a huge difference.
I would encourage those who are wishy-washy on their own grilles to do their own experiments and see if you come up with the same conclusion. My car is MUCH happier without the grille in place. Mind you, this is a grille tech product so I can't speak for other manufacturers. It's a great piece of gear if you're looking to protect your insides but the preservation of horsepower is more important to me than a few bugs in the radiator. I'll take my chances on a rock. Besides, though I don't agree with them in every case, there has to be a reason Honda made that inlet so freakin' large.
That's all.

 

Thanks, I have been wondering about this. I have a snorkle-type intake, and I am planning on keeping my grill, but cuttiing out a hole where the intake opens in the front. I'll try to take photos when I get it finished...

 

Good choice! Those grills look ugly as shit anyways.

 

That sounds like a good compromise, but I was just wondering... What happens if a bug enters the intake? Is there anything stopping it from going all the way?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CBeyond
[B]That sounds like a good compromise, but I was just wondering... What happens if a bug enters the intake?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CBeyond
[B] What happens if a bug enters the intake?

 

Here are a couple pix from last year of a few "bugs" - glad I had my grill on!

 

Thanks, that was a dumb question.

Still, I wonder if there are any bugs that could tear / eat through the filter... ?

 

Russ,

This is the coolest thing you've ever posted.

I still don't know why to this day drivers choose to take air away from the car especially if you're running stock.

But of course someone's gonna bust out with I've never seen 4 gauges on the bar before.

Regards,

 

Damn! I love my grille, it looks oh so good. Now you make me wanna take it off. I hate the factory black plastic grilles. Of course I knew that the grille would've restricted airflows because since there's obviously obstruction. Well, thanx for the experiment. I'm gonna have to find a way to get more air in to my CAI.