What's with the ST grille?

[STewpid]

OK, I was changing oil yesterday (OC #3, see break in 101) and noticed something weird about my grille. There is a clear plastic shell on the back side of the grille that extends from the base to almost halfway up. No air flow can get through. I only noticed because another poster on this forum was "debadging" his car. This is not on my list. When I stuck my fingers into the grille I found this plastic shield. How does decreasing airflow help this car? The fan is about the size of your average paper plate. What am I missing here?

 

[WhiteFords]

Ford balances airflow through the grille for engine cooling and air conditioning with limiting drag for fuel economy.

For performance, the tradeoff of increased drag, by opening up the grille, is better than overheating.

 

[Sil3nt611]

That's where the bumper reinforcement is. In order to keep the grille from showing off the bumper reinforcement they blocked off that part of the grille. They have the cooling figured out around that. By opening up that part of the grille it might keep it slightly cooler, but with the reinforcement in the way anyway it probably won't be much.

 

[PhoenixM3]

That's where the bumper reinforcement is. In order to keep the grille from showing off the bumper reinforcement they blocked off that part of the grille. They have the cooling figured out around that. By opening up that part of the grille it might keep it slightly cooler, but with the reinforcement in the way anyway it probably won't be much.

Because DHM crashbar and race intercooler!

 

[SuperchargedTundra]

Because DHM crashbar and race intercooler!

...

 

[STewpid]

Thanks for the replies. Science usually wins.I saw in the competition threads today the subject of overheating being brought up. One poster made the suggestion of drilling out most of the holes to open airflow.

 

[WhiteFords]

The airbag sensor bar is another issue back behind the grille as well, further blocking airflow.

If I was going to continue open track my car I would look into re-engineering most of the front of the car to get better airflow to the heat exchangers. My car is now relegated to street duty, so these plans of mine got shelved.