Radiator protection

[boat737]

How many of you have a mesh or perforated sheet over the radiator for debris protection? Stainless vs. Aluminum vs.?? Percentage of open area in the mesh/screen? Those of you without a screen, have much trouble with debris damaging the radiator? And as always, pictures. Thanks all.

[Real time recon]

The stuff I used is still holding up well :) thread here > http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/545465-radiator-protector.html
Pix. http://static.rcgroups.net/forums/attachments/1/3/7/0/4/9/a9056740-47-009.jpg

[Paparazzi]

I also have the nomex honeycomb from Speedway. Simple to trim to size, the only negative being that it's brown so you'll need to spray to colour match. I did mine silver to match the interior aluminium. Only 300 miles on it, but no problems so far. I got the plastic ties from Speedway which push through the radiator grill to affix, but realised that I'd have to take off the shroud which would be a pain, so I just jammed it in tight. The lower lip of the metalwork holds it in nicely and with the top held tight by a Breeze hood hinge I've found no need to make it more permanent.

59726

[ram_g]

3rd recommendation here for the Speedway nomex honeycomb stuff. I have it just wedged against a retainer at the top that I made from angle aluminum. Spray painted black. I can't recall exactly when I did mine but I bet I have 1000 miles on it so far, or close. No issues with airflow and works great for protection.

[boat737]

Thanks all. I take it that most have the mesh flat against the radiator, and not up behind the oval inlet?

[MillerCobra]

4th on the Nomex. Great product. I live in Minnesota and most of the impacts are bugs, even June bugs at 70 mph do not dent. Just power wash it off. Lays against the radiator and mine attached with a plastic strap that goes through radiator. If it ever does get damaged only takes a few minutes to change out. Cut the Nomex to size, remove the old and replace.

59737

[Ray]

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I used a pet screen that is normally installed on your screen door to prevent you dog from running through it. Just make sure whatever you use to allow room (a couple of inches) between the screen and the radiator.

Ray

[David Hodgkins]

Another vote for nomex. I found it locally at industrial metal supply, $10 for a 4'x4' sheet. Cut to fit, paint, install. I hav a radiator shroud and the nomex is pinned in behind it.

It lets a TON of air through too:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=56445&d=1469117593

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=56446&d=1469117594

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=56447&d=1469117595

Installed:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=58314&d=1473287135

:)

[Stork]

Another vote for nomex. I found it locally at industrial metal supply, $10 for a 4'x4' sheet. Cut to fit, paint, install. I hav a radiator shroud and the nomex is pinned in behind it.

It lets a TON of air through too:


It looks good, but I also like the custom shroud with the stripe pattern continuation you set-up.

[AC Bill]

I tried getting some of that Nomex product, and I haven't been able to find anyone who sells it in Canada..Any Canuck's know of a source for it?

I had a aluminum screen on my roadster, attached to the body opening. Worked great as far as road debris, and didn't affect the cooling one iota.

[CraigS]

While better safe than sorry can be a good plan, I have 9 years and 38000 miles on mine w/ no protection and the radiator is fine .

[boat737]

While better safe than sorry can be a good plan, I have 9 years and 38000 miles on mine w/ no protection and the radiator is fine .

On the street/freeway?

[Bob Cowan]

I used some 1/4" SS mesh from Pegasus. After all these years of racing and highway driving, all the fins are still straight.

Whatever you use, space it up off the radiator core a little bit. Otherwise, any reasonable force will be transmitted back to the core.

[Gumball]

I also used the Nomex sheet - bought it from Speedway, along with a package of the push-through plastic pins that hold it in place (they have large round heads and go straight through the radiator between the cooling fins).

I painted mine black using Rust-o-leum and it's held up great over the past 7,000 miles - no fade or chipping. One thing, though, is to make sure that it's removeable so that you can replace it if that is ever needed.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140920_173227857_zps0deffaf7.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140920_173227857_zps0deffaf7.jpg.html)

[Avalanche325]

My friend just installed the honeycomb and I saw it yesterday. It looks very nice.

[KDubU]

Honeycomb here sprayed black.

[edwardb]

I've used the Nomex honeycomb. It's easy to fit and works great. Multiple seasons and still looks good. For #7750, I used 3641-24X36 Medium Mesh Stainless, #6 x .035 Wire, 24 x 36" Sheet from Pegasus. Put it in a frame so it stands slightly away from the radiator and had it powder coated. I'm really happy with that setup and planning the same for the current build. As far as whether you need it or not, only takes once to make it worth it. Cheap insurance for an expensive part (radiator) that can disable the car if punctured.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Radiator%20Surround/th_IMG_3068_zps477291fe.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Radiator%20Surround/IMG_3068_zps477291fe.jpg.html)

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Radiator%20Surround/th_IMG_3077_zpseacdf12d.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Radiator%20Surround/IMG_3077_zpseacdf12d.jpg.html)

[d_gatorfan]

My radiator fins were dinged when i got it and looked pretty bad. I just installed the honeycomb, it really looks great. In the past I only saw it for sale at speedway, but now summit racing sells it.

[skullandbones]

The suggestions sound good. I don't know what your flow needs are. Here in AZ in the desert I was concerned that some materials might restrict the flow to the point of choking off the flow just enough to cause overheating. So I go a honey cone still metal screen the flows about 85%. So the size of the vanes and overall design of the material matters. My other way of mitigating the effects was to get the highest rated pullers (dual) I could find with an integrated shroud that really sucks the air thru when at low speed and passes air thru rubber baffles when the air flow increases with speed to avoid restrictive flow.

Good luck in your choice,

WEK.

[canuck1]

Thanks all. I take it that most have the mesh flat against the radiator, and not up behind the oval inlet?

Please ignore my crooked bumper, still getting that oriented properly:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d2/seangibbs/radiator%20grill.jpg_zpstlfujuhe.jpg

I prefer the blacked out look but wanted some kind of protection for my new aluminum radiator.

Sean

[Ray]

Thanks all. I take it that most have the mesh flat against the radiator, and not up behind the oval inlet?

I've got at least 2-inches between the mesh and the radiator. If it's tight against the radiator, it won't provide any protection from rocks etc.

Ray

[ram_g]

I've got at least 2-inches between the mesh and the radiator. If it's tight against the radiator, it won't provide any protection from rocks etc.

Ray

I think that depends on the type of the protector. If it's a steel mesh, then I totally agree with you. The nomex honeycomb, on the other hand, is a semi-flexible material that acts as a shock absorber and really does cushion the impact of rocks etc. - you can see where the individual cells deform and crush and spread out / absorb the impact. Almost like a miniature crumple zone.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Honeycomb sprayed black

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=14336&pictureid=56289

[ranchpilot]

[QUOTE=Paparazzi;254229]I also have the nomex honeycomb from Speedway. Simple to trim to size, the only negative being that it's brown so you'll need to spray to colour match. I did mine silver to match the interior aluminium. Only 300 miles on it, but no problems so far. I got the plastic ties from Speedway which push through the radiator grill to affix, but realised that I'd have to take off the shroud which would be a pain, so I just jammed it in tight. The lower lip of the metalwork holds it in nicely and with the top held tight by a Breeze hood hinge I've found no need to make it more permanent.

59726[

Great help, just what I needed!!