Anyone know how to make this?

[JohnMS3]

I've been trying to find a radiator cooling panel for the ms3...with my fmic on, my ect's have skyrocketed and I'm trying to find a way to keep it down. I want to utilize the emblem grill and direct air towards the radiator. I also want to use the exisiting air duct to flow air towards the sri.

Found this on another forum and the guy did a decent job with the panel that he made. I just need a recommendation on what material I could use that would be easily shaped to create a base template before I make the final piece in sheet aluminum.

[wankular]

In case anyone is wondering, the GT Spec panel for the regular 3's will not fit an MS3. GT Spec told me so.

[Mizzle]

Tin snips, hammer, epoxy and an old piece of aluminum siding... or plastic stock or something to that effect.

Actually, you could probably make it out of wood and just paint it with polyurethane and then paint it. You can get a 4' x 8' piece of 1/8" paneling at Home Depot for like $10.

[JohnMS3]

is there something i can use to mold its shape to reduce making a lot of measurements?

[wankular]

Do it like the dudes on American Chopper and make a template out of paper.

[Mizzle]

Cardboard, but yes - what he said.

...cardboard to design the pattern...

...& aluminum for panel/ductwork...

[rodrigo]

add water, less coolant...also u might add an oil cooler which will take away the heat it transfers to the oem oil cooler and your ect will drop as a result.

skool s out

[redmnsterut]

+1 on cardboard, get a long piece and make a ruff cut out, then put it where you'd like it to go, find our mounting points and then cut out of sheet metal, aluminum. Once done, paint it and install.

[wankular]

Step 2. Make me one.

[redmnsterut]

I might be going to my buddies shop this weekend to do my rmm and a couple other things. If I get some time Ill will try to get a cardboard cut out design... But it will be for the MS6

[JohnMS3]

did some measurements and came up with this...dont have the ducting set up yet.

[uncorked11]

Fiberglass? Simple amd cost effective.

[dooderek]

Originally Posted by rodrigo add water, less coolant...also u might add an oil cooler which will take away the heat it transfers to the oem oil cooler and your ect will drop as a result. skool s out

m

[Mizzle]

Fiberglass is a pain to work with compared to cutting out tin and riveting/gluing or using plastic paneling (like they use at BestBuy for head unit installs when there's no kit out there.)

[JohnMS3]

here's the final template (including all mounting points) before tracing/cutting in sheet aluminum...
i'm contemplating if i should remove the ducting and just cover that area as well since i dont think there will be a difference in underhood temps...in fact i dont think there will be a big difference in coolant temps with the panel on. but i'll still finish it since i already started it.

[Mizzle]

*shrugs* if it didn't make a difference, Mazda wouldn't spend any money on it.

[AtTheDriveIn]

Have you done the coolant bypass mod? It helps quite a bit.

[JohnMS3]

decided to remove the ducting on the driver's side...the opening to the engine bay is still there so air will still pass through. i will also make some vertical panels to direct the air downward as it enters the grill. the template for the top panel is done, found 3'x3'x3/16" aluminum sheets for 20 bucks online...just need to find someone with a jigsaw.

[JohnMS3]

Just saw some jigsaws on harbor freight for 20-25 bucks...any reviews on chicago electric tools?

[Mizzle]

99.9% of them are shit.
The power tools are worth the price. I have a cutting wheel that performs flawlessly from Chicago Tools. It's all made-in-China shit, so don't expect diamonds. All hand tools have lifetime warranties from the store, though, so they replace it if it ever breaks. You don't even need a receipt half the time - you just walk in, set yours on the counter, grab one on the shelf, show them and leave.

*edit*
As far as using a jigsaw on this project, you'd be much better off buying a cutting wheel and cutting it out. A jigsaw has a tendency to pull/push the material and you risk jagged edges and bending the material. If you use a cutting wheel, you just trace the line and hand sand the sharp edge off and you're done.

[MSP611]

cutting wheel.. or a dremel... i love angle grinders i use them for a lot of shit... harbor freight ones arent bad either..

[Etipp98]

Originally Posted by JohnMS3 decided to remove the ducting on the driver's side...the opening to the engine bay is still there so air will still pass through. i will also make some vertical panels to direct the air downward as it enters the grill. the template for the top panel is done, found 3'x3'x3/16" aluminum sheets for 20 bucks online...just need to find someone with a jigsaw.

7 Gauge is a little thick IMO, could have got away with like 28 gauge and just used some snips to cut out your template.

[tastysi2004]

Originally Posted by AtTheDriveIn Have you done the coolant bypass mod? It helps quite a bit.

what is it???

[Etipp98]

You bypass the coolant that circulates through the throttle body.