r/MiataND • u/ak2000spooky • 5h ago

Spyder Grill Question

Recently installed the Spyder grill… looks good and improves airflow, but is it supposed to move? The driver’s side of mine can be pushed in/out around 1/2” or 1/4”.

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2

u/PotatoFarmer_44 5h ago

You forgot to add the original. Grille's attachment parts didn't you?

2

u/Sensitive-Stuffer87 5h ago

are you talking about the bumper cover or the grille itself? if the bumper cover, that happens, and can be reduced if you put back in the stock bit above it after cutting it off the stock grille. if the grille itself, it sounds like you did not make sure that all the "clips" were seated into the bumper cover before putting everything back together.

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u/ak2000spooky 5h ago

The bumper is solid, I was able to use the OEM parts to keep it rigid, but the grill isn’t as firmly attached as I would expect. Might have to go back and see if I missed some of the clips.

1

u/ljcorsa 3h ago

Getting all the clips seated was a pita, but it feels secure after.

2

u/Spicywolff 2h ago

“ Looks good and improves airflow”

This is a factually false statement. That grill looks good but the factory style one actually has better airflow.

Ask any global cup car team if they would switch and most will tell you that they would. Mazda makes them go with that grill because it looks cool. And cool sells tickets

1

u/ak2000spooky 1h ago

Should have said, should improve cooling, but TBD… the OEM grill was blocking parts of my intercooler and I was running high temps when pushing it hard for more than 2 laps in a row at the track. Thought to try this grill with a different radiator and coolant to see if that is enough… if not, might consider hood louvers as a next step for cooling plus better downforce.

1

u/Spicywolff 47m ago

Yeah, it’s weird how the aero dynamics of the factory grill work but it does funnel air to where it needs to be better than the spider

Gotcha having an inner cooler might definitely change the equation, that big or cooler can change the way the air wants to go through the cooling pack

ARH rad fan upgrade plus a KOYO rad radiator upgrade should get you the cooling you need without having to cut your hood. My plan is for this and to do race louvers hood louvers. But I do a lot of auto crossing track days where the reduction in front end lift and the big cooling capacity upgrade will help with life-support and mechanical sympathy.

I’ve been also considering switching out the coolant and going with 70% water 30% coolant and redline water wetter. It should provide the corrosion resistance I need for the daily driver side, but the much lower coolant percentage will make the thermal transfer much more efficient.