MRMARK

My 85 SE did not come with the black plastic grille when I purchased it in 2003 and now I have one to put on. Can someone provide some pictures of where it attaches, like the sides and top/bottom so I can use it as a guide?

Appreciate it.

LongDuck

Not much to really show on this - the plastic 'grille' is really just 4-5 plastic fins that are mounted at an angle to help pick up air coming straight at it and force it up and into the radiator. Without the grille, the air tends to buffet coming off of the front bumper at speed, and can actually be pushed underneath the car, totally missing your radiator and oil cooler. Adding a front airdam helps to keep the air flowing straight into the radiator and A/C condensor. Also, keep your undertray in place to force the air through the radiators rather than going around through the easiest path.

There is a metal bracket that installs on the undertray/lower lip of the stock front end, which bolts to the bottom of the grille. Also, there are 2 screws on each side that go into plastic fittings on the right and left to hold the grille in place.

Good luck, and reply back if other questions,

Drifting rex

iTrader: (17)

Does the Plastic Grille really make any difference? I took mine off thinking I would get more air flow.

LongDuck

It's probably negligible. IMO, the grille is mostly there to keep rocks from getting kicked up into the radiator/oil cooler. As long as you don't follow too closely, you shouldn't have to worry about that very often at all.

With my airdam in place, I removed the grille because it just looks strange to see the black plastic fins up there when it would normally be just a gaping hole. Gaping holes flow air better anyway!

When the car is running at speed, the incoming air pressure in front of the car is often enough to get the radiator cooled down. The engine fan (or E-fan) behind the radiator is barely running because there's enough forced air from the front.

I've run without a grille for about 6 years now and am no worse for wear. HTH,