[Norton]

Small aircraft use them.
Why not the Volt?
Improves aerodynamics, the Cruze Eco has them. Has to.... but is it measurable ??
Still plenty of air coming thru the upper 'Grill'. Protects the radiators during the winter season.
Cost a Buck and a Half! Water pipe foam insulation tubes.

 

[Volt Gambler]

Upper Grill - NOT

Sorry - There is no air flow through the phoney upper grill..... Very small air flow through the second one down. I would not mess with the lower one, except maybe to put a wide mesh screen over it if needed.

 

[Norton]

VG,

Go out to your Volt with a flashlight. Shine it through the gaps in the lower of the two "Fake" things.
When I do I see radiators, top and bottom gap.

Plus, I monitor my engine coolant temp, ATF temp but not the 'Electronics' cooling circuit, yet. But when I touch the side of the inverter after a commute it is barely above ambient.
It's an efficient EV. Very little wasted heat production. Don't get me started about ERDDT.

Plus, I now get 2 miles more EV range! ..... (Not really). but I know the car is more aero and I'm protecting the radiators for the season.

 

[johnnywater]

how much of an increase of temperatures did you see?

Did you use tyraps or just the pipe isolation. What size pipe isolation is it?

Thanks!

 

[Norton]

Absolutely no change in indicated temps. That little engine does not warm up all the way in ERDDT anyway. Baby it's cold outside.
Absolutely just a theoretical improvement in aerodynamics. But like I said, the Cruze has this on the ECO model.
1/2" pipe insulation. Trim it with scissors where the vertical parts are. It just presses into place. If you lose one, no big deal.

 

[johnnywater]

it's -20 celcius here today ( without the wind factor ) which is -4 fahrenheit.

 

[Norton]

Johnny,

Here's the mod you really need !!

Throw everything you can in the back of the Volt and head for Florida with the rest of the Snow Birds.

Don't forget the sunscreen !!!!!!!!!!

 

[HiFlite]

Nice idea with these temperatures. If one were cautious, just use one piece of foam.

 

[css28]

This is SOP in the cold weather Prius community.

 

[johnnywater]

would like to be a snowbird but i'm too young for that! gotta work

 

[Norton]

Johnny,

They have jobs in Florida.

But google "Weird crime in" and see what is the first suggestion!

 

[jsmay311]

I just tried this. Seemed to work well.

It was ~12F outside this morning, but 28F in my detached garage. The temp displayed on the center screen usual drops quickly to the ambient temp. But now with the pipe insulation blocking most of the airflow, it only dropped 1-2F per minute. After my 10 minute, 4 mile commute, the temp sensor had only dropped to 16F. Good enough to avoid ERDTT.

And when the engine does run, this should allow me to make more dconomicsl use of the heat produced.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[deekster_caddy]

Trim it with scissors where the vertical parts are. It just presses into place. If you lose one, no big deal.

I have to strongly disagree with that. Even though you know it's foam and basically harmless, one of these coming off on the highway could fly up into the windshield of the car behind you, and even though you know it won't cause any damage, they wouldn't know that. It could cause a sudden high speed avoidance maneuver and a major accident. Find a way to secure them, please.

 

[Norton]

Will do.

Right after I lose one.

How on earth is it going to get away. Wind forces push more into place.
Hell, it's such a tight fit I'll need a screw driver or butter knife to get one out.
Give it a try! I'm getting vastly better aerodynamics.
Almost 5 miles extra range! jk

 

[Fulgerite]

I'm getting vastly better aerodynamics.
Almost 5 miles extra range! jk

Let me know when you have verified that in a wind tunnel and I might take it seriously. ;-)

 

[Norton]

But GM did this to the Cruze Eco. Have you seen its electrically driven cowl flaps on the lower grill?
Why would they do that?

My Real Life Wind Tunnel is out on them lonely Interstate Highways.
I get an extra 7.5 miles of EV range at 101 mph indicated, which into a headwind is much higher Airspeed. Once again, JK.

 

[flankspeed8]

Can you tell me the specs of what type of foam to purchase? Thanks

Small aircraft use them.
Why not the Volt?
Improves aerodynamics, the Cruze Eco has them. Has to.... but is it measurable ??
Still plenty of air coming thru the upper 'Grill'. Protects the radiators during the winter season.
Cost a Buck and a Half! Water pipe foam insulation tubes.

 

[Norton]

flank,

Go down to your local Depot. There are two sizes. 1/2" pipe and 3/4" pipe, I think it is. Sorry I can't remember which size I used.
Anyone? I'll be breaking mine out for the season, as soon as my Volt gets out of the shop !
Buy one of each. They're a buck and a half!

And on my above posts: JK is "Just Kidding". Maybe that went over some....

 

[Steverino]

There are two sizes. 1/2" pipe and 3/4" pipe, I think it is. Sorry I can't remember which size I used.
Anyone? I'll be breaking mine out for the season, as soon as my Volt gets out of the shop !

Bonus! The dense, closed cell foam may act as an extra stone shield by slowing them down a bit before they impact the radiator.

 

[HiFlite]

1/2" pipe insulation is fine. I closed off the lower grill with two strips when temps were consistently low, then pulled off one when highs got into the 50's F. No problems, some benefits. Neither fell off either, even without ty-wraps. Will do the same this winter.