Grille

CUSTOM MESH GRILLE

words by John Beerman
snaps by Bukowski
1990 LS coupe

Cost: $5 - $20
Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Material: gutter guard/grille mesh (painted to desired color), tinsnips, stiff metal wire/twist ties, screwdriver, screws, hacksaw, and sandpaper

Precedure:

1. Buy some gutter guard at Home Depot or grille mesh at a custom body shop. Also get low grit sandpaper.

2. Top Grille: This is a small portion and doesn't always need to be done. It does take drastic measures to be accomplished. I did it just because I wanted it to match the bottom. First of all I took a hacksaw and removed the blade then slipped it into the groove with the Acura emblem. There is plastic backed up with a piece of sheet metal that needs to come out. Saw it on the top and bottom until it comes out. Then use some sandpaper to smooth the plastic and metal. Be especially careful around the cut sheet metal. Next you have to rig the manual release so that it stays open. I haven't found a good way to do this so I just stuck a 3 inch screw init to hold it open. This is the release in the middle. There are two other releases on the left and right that hold it down... Just don't pop the hood when driving. Next place the mesh up to the back end of the grille. Cut a piece about 1.5 inches wider than the size of the actual holes and about a half inch longer. Next there should be a groove on the bottom half of the grille. Place the bottom of the mesh in this. There should also be four holes on the top part of the grille where you can use wire or twist ties to tie the top part in. This is the simplest way to do it. Then you should be done. Your hood should close and open only by remote release. Note: This was done on a '90 LS coupe and the hoods may be different. Also, if you don't want to cut the sheet metal behind the acura emblem then you can unscrew the entire grille assembly (12 screws) and cut out just the plastic. You must then cut the mesh smaller to fit perfectly and fit it on the top of the sheet metal.

3. Bottom Grille: This can be done two ways. You can cut out the plastic mesh or put it behind. I didn't want to risk cutting out the plastic so I put it behind.

Behind Plastic Mesh
You can either take off the whole bumper... or do what I did and slip it in. To slip it in you need to cut the mesh piece about 1 inch bigger than the whole area in a rectangle. On one piece of the plastic should be a screw with the ambient temperature sensor on it. This needs to be removed, relocated, and the plastic screw holder needs to be cut away. It needs to be relocated to a place where it can have free, fresh air flow into it. I hung mine over one of the radiator pipes. Then slip the mesh down in front of the radiator and then curvie it up and around some pipe and then down so it makes an 'S' curve going in. Also, put one end in so it fits easier. Use pliers to help pull it down but only do it on the edge so you won't damage the grille. Pull it down and to one side so that about 6 inches are hidden b the plastic side. The slip the other end down and center the piece with the pliers. The radiator pipe should be keeping the mesh tight with a slight bend. Attach as you see fit. I left mine loose because it was so tight. Note: This method is really tight and requires a lot of pulling and small hands. Also with a stiffer mesh it may not be possible without taking off the bumper.

Cutting out the Plastic (Better, more modded look)
Take tinsnips and cut the grille out along the outside. Remove this piece and relocate the ambient temperature sensor so it can breathe fresh air. Cut the mesh to form fit the grille but with about 1 extra inch on the top. Place the mesh flush with the top part and screw the extra inch into the plastic bumper. Then bend the bottom part down and try to fit it so it will hold itself into the bottom. With luck the bottom part will be tight and will hold itself... If it doesn't try screwing it in somehow or redoing the top. You should be done now... Enjoy.

Comments:

This mod looks okay, but it is too deep back to have a great effect. I would definitely cut out the bottom plastic and make that grille look nice if you want the best effect. The top section is almost not worth doing unless you can figure out a nice way to put the mesh on top of the black plastic pieces. Also, if you foglight holes are showing you can unscrew the bumper lenses... take them out... cut a small piece... and slip it down back around behind the opening pretty easily.