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REVIEW: Hybrid Effects Grille Block

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by TheForce, Oct 13, 2009.

  1. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    This is a short review of the Hybrid Effects Grille Block available at Hybrid Car Accessories by Hybrid Effects

    Toyota Prius - Grille Blocks - Toyota Prius Hybrid Grille Block - Grille Blocking (Shipping Included)

    [​IMG]


    I bought my grill block from bestmapman since he was wanting to sell his. He has the same color car as mine and he had it with him at MPG fest this year. He offered to sell it to me for a good deal. So I checked it out to see if I could modify it to fit my custom car front with the chin spoiler and camera. It looked to be a good fit but I would have to make some modifications. The only down side is that his grille block did not have any holes cut out so you can pop in and out plugs to let air in in the summer time and plug them up in the winter.

    I called up Franklin from Hybrid Effects to see if I could buy some 3" plugs. He was happy to sell me 10 of the 3" plugs. Now I have that covered. :D

    So today I decided I better start to block my grille because its getting too cold. I had to make some modifications to get the grill block to fit. Here is what I had to do.

    I first had to figure out a way to mount it. I had some good ideas for mounting brackets but that was getting into fabrication and ugly wing nuts or 1/4 turn screws that would show up in the front. I decided to use 3M Dual Lock to attach it with. This stuff is like Velcro but MUCH stronger. They literally snap into place and are very secure. This grill block wont be coming off easily.

    [​IMG]

    As you can see these things are a little thick. They make the grill block stick out about 3mm but that's OK.

    [​IMG]


    I had to cut out a hole for my front camera.


    [​IMG]

    I also had to cut out a section where I have my EBH plug.

    [​IMG]

    As you can see I just put the grille block behind the license plate. The plate does stick out because of it but you don't really notice it at all. This also helps secure the grille block to the car.

    You may notice that I don't have my ten 3" holes cut out and the plugs installed. Thats because I'm going to wait to install them when the weather gets warmer. Plus I don't have a 3" hole drill bit at the moment. I will update this review when I get the plugs installed.

    The grille blocks start out at $135.00 shipped and unpainted. Add $65 for paint and if you want hole plugs they are between $10 and $35 more.

    This product may be a LOT more expensive than the foam you buy at lowes but this sure looks a hell of a lot better.

    I don't have any MPG numbers to give but I can tell you that this is a great product and grille blocking does improve your MPG. I highly recommend this product!

    Pros
    Get better MPG
    Made to fit 2004-2009 Prius.
    Easy to install

    Cons
    No product to block upper grille.
    Price
     
    5 people like this.
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    The MPG benefit drops off at about 20°F degrees. When it's colder than that, there is basically no difference (with the exception of aerodynamics).

    However, retention of heat to keep you warm is still a reason to do it anyway.
    .
     
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  3. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    Good point John! I don't see much below 20F here. There are a few days in the year that get colder than that but not many. Thank god. I hate cold weather in general.
     
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  4. downeastah

    downeastah Junior Member

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    I was wondering how much DualLock was used. Where was it placed? I've got a block coming in soon and was wondering on the best/easiest install.
     
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  5. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    1 package was used which made 4 pieces about an inch long. I am going to have to modify my attachment a little since they are not sticking well to the fiberglass. I'm thinking of attaching the dual lock with some JB weld on the fiber glass side and also get another box or two for more attachment areas.
     
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  6. downeastah

    downeastah Junior Member

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    Yah, thanx. I have a 10' roll Dual Lock on order and was wondering how much to use.
    I just received my block from Franklin. It has the fog light and small holes with the clear plugs. It still needs paint, but I guess I'll get it fit first.
     
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  7. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    The unpainted one comes in "white". Does that match the Super White Prius paint?
     
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  8. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    I dont think it does. I'm pretty sure its just a primer or maybe just the fiberglass its self.
     
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  9. downeastah

    downeastah Junior Member

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    I think it's just a generic gelcoat white, but you can email Franklin from his website.
     
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  10. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    I just put some JB weld on the fiberglass side of my dual locks and it seems to be hold much better. I still plan on buying some more dual lock to make the grille block stay put better. I plan on adding 4 more attachment points.
     
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  11. Hybrid Effects

    Hybrid Effects Junior Member

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    Hello All
    I still think the best way to mount the grill block is with small stainless screws.

    Dual lock has out what they call coins. They all so have low profile dual lock that might work.

    I do not offer a form of attachment at this time due to the fact that there are so many remedies to the solution that I just leave it up to the customer.
    Like they say you can please some of the people some of the time but never please all the people all the time.

    If you use any form of attachment tape or dual lock just make sure that you clean and maybe lightly sand the area it will be applied to thoroughly. Some of the Fiberglass's have wax in them.

    As far as the color goes I paint the grille blocks with what ever color gel-coat I have in stock. If you ordered a white grille block and all I had was was black gell-coat I will spray the grille block with a generic white paint.

    The painting option is nice but I had to raise my paint prices due to the fact that a pint of paint alone for the prius colors can be between $60 to $100 and that is just for the color not counting the prep time clear and primers ect.

    Franklin
    Hybrid Car Accessories by Hybrid Effects
     
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  12. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    If you want to block the top, I think sigma has an upper block now...
     
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  13. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    They have the C-One Front Grille which is only about a 3/4 block. It has a small opening on the upper right. I've been thinking about getting it but my garage I just had built cost a little more than I was planning and I cant afford the upper block at the moment.
     
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  14. downeastah

    downeastah Junior Member

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    Well, my lower block came in from Franklin a couple of weeks ago. Got it painted, but that's as far as I've gone so far. Right after painting, I blew out my rotator cuff, pretty severly it turns out, and have kinda lost the use of the left arm.
    I went with the block with the fog lights and the 2" holes w/ clear plugs. Looks good and I'll post more once installed.
    Almost forgot. I had installed the C-One upper block a while back. It's more like a 5/6th block, but it seems to do the job and looks good doing it.
     
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  15. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    Do you have any install pictures of that? or any pictures? How hard was it to install? How did you install it? I wanted to get one but my garage cost a little more than I was planning and don't have the money this year to get one.
     
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  16. downeastah

    downeastah Junior Member

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    You just unbolt the chrome "smile" and install the block using the machine screws provided. I didn't think to take pix during the install, but here's what it looks like installed.[​IMG]
    It looks better since I put a shine on it.
     
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  17. chuckknight

    chuckknight New Member

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    Texas does not get so cold as some of the states discussed here. So, I presume that total grill blocking would be inappropriate.

    So, assuming a partial block, what part should I block? Upper or lower? I've got some pipe insulation, so that should work just fine for an experiment.

    Thanks for the tips!

    Chuck
     
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  18. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    Looks good! I hope I can save up the money for one soon.

    I've heard you can block the upper year around. In fact I think FireEngineer blocks his upper year around if I'm not mistaken. Of course he lives a lot farther up north than you too.
     
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  19. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    Most all the cooling air comes through the lower grill. If it gets to be more than 100F outside and your on a long highway trip, might want to unblock the upper. If you have a ScanGage it would be a no brainer to block the upper and leave it.

    Wayne
     
  20. fjpod

    fjpod Member

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    So you would leave your lower blocked even in ambient temps of 70-90F? Even on a highway trip?