DIY: Radiator Shroud (BD)

[2.5GT]

Another cheap (not sure if it's effective) mod. I wasn't going to spent a lot of money for this small part. And the only place I found online who has it for the BD/BG were Japanparts.com, which has it listed for $121. No way in hell am i going to spent that much money :roll:

So with that said, I took a trip to Homedepot and bought one For Rent sign. a roll of double sided tape, two screws, and along with a can of flat spray paint. The sign works great and I couldn't find anything else that wouldn't be too flexible or too hard.

I've already made a template for you guys, so all you have to do is trace and cut. Then paint the shroud to whatever color you want, I did it flat black to match the engine parts. It turn out very well. And as you can see in the pics, there are still a tiny gaps in the corners. So before you lay the measurements on the For Rent sign, do it on a piece of cardboard paper and make some adjustments. I was fine with it the way it is.

The shroud didn't sit flat enough (towards the engine), so I used some double sided tape. I laid a strip on the edge of the radiator (towards the engine) and two small strips on the small corners of the shroud. Looks like it did its job and I was fine with the way it turn out :eek:

(Oh yeah, a little disclaimer...I hold no responsibility if you fuck up your car, but I really don't see how.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/Subaru%20Legacy/BDRadiatorShroud.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/Subaru%20Legacy/IMG_3586.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/Subaru%20Legacy/IMG_3610.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/Subaru%20Legacy/IMG_3616.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/Subaru%20Legacy/IMG_3612.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/Subaru%20Legacy/IMG_3614.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/Subaru%20Legacy/IMG_3615.jpg

[Huffer]

Nice one! Thanks for the template, I'm going to use that myself. :)

You could put a slight bend in it a little to the back and get the rear part to dip down a little more.

[2.5GT]

The measurements on the template is off a little, due to me using a rusty ass wooden ruler :lol:

See, the problem is that the radiator sits higher than the frame of the car...so when bolted down the rear (facing towards the engine) pops up. If you use any other different material, post it on here! :grin: ..I might redo this with a thicker material.

And just to make note, the holes were already on the frame of the car to began with. You can use screws or bolts. If you use bolts, make sure you thread the holes :wink:

[Huffer]

If you lengthened the front part you could slide it under the radiator support brackets and use the bolt that's already there?

And damn if your engine bay isn't clean. :)

[2.5GT]

It was cold outside, and i didn't take a lot of time figuring it out :lol: ..I'm not 100% sure if the brackets comes up or not, I'll take a look at it.

And actually, the engine bay is dirty! to me anyways, I haven't clean it since it..oh 6 months maybe? :lol:

[tougemachine]

i wanna try this but i have some thin stainless steel layin around. ill see how that goes...

[Okin DaVanh]

.... If you use any other different material, post it on here! :grin:



You could use the one you made as a mold for a carbon fiber or fiberglass one??

Nice write up too. I might try this.

[chipLRX-SLI]

nice write up man . i saw the shroud on japanparts.com and i was going to pay that price either .

im gonna try this my self .
maybe do i write up finally on my custom intake and heat shield as well .

[2.5GT]

Yeah you guys, please do a write up if you figure out another design. I was going for a second try but the weather is so cold lately...and no garage permits me of doing anything :-(

[decke48]

heres my design. its from milled alum. little different my got supports to use two bolt that hold the fan in and a bend to curve down flush to the grill
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/01/S1050578-1.jpg
how it looks on car
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/01/S1050580-1.jpg
ill put up demension later tonight (work in a few) i may make more since is still have a huge sheet that can have 6 more cut into it. *note sheet has flaws so bushed look, is up to you but will have minor scraches-blemishs

[4n70n1n0]

Thanks 2.5GT for the DIY!

Today was an awesome day out so I decided to do it, plus I had some aluminum sheet around. I think it's the same stuff decke48 used.

I made the front wider so I could use the radiator support bolts/ It's not the best, but for FREE it's AWESOME!

This is how it turned out

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/ATgAAABBA0zCZL7DvOupz_eVhtQoyWPHSOFBDvJb-1.jpg

The cusco is just for kicks, but I do have a Cusco Rear cross member bar. Just not installed... YET!

[rougeben83]

I'm glad people are realizing they don't have to pay $30 or some odd dollars just for a cut piece of sheetmetal :razz:

It's not a BD, but I made one for my car a few months ago. It's a good place to put all those random stickers you get with your parts :lol:
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/rougeben83/P1070399.jpg

is there anything wrong with making it go deeper into the engine bay?

[rougeben83]

is there anything wrong with making it go deeper into the engine bay?

Not really, just be careful of clearance from the belts and pulleys...the more important question is why would you need to?

it just looks really short from the alternator cover to the edge of the shroud.. i thought it could be an inch or two deeper

[Nick_701]

Well I didnt realize this DIY was here, this is what i did about a month ago... thought i would share

I put two bends in mine so it would lay flat on both cross pieces and painted it black.
Also folded the eng side down and used the coolant tank bolt to hold that side down

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/DSCN1257-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/DSCN1263-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/DSCN1262-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

Well I didnt realize this DIY was here, this is what i did about a month ago... thought i would share

I put two bends in mine so it would lay flat on both cross pieces and painted it black.
Also folded the eng side down and used the coolant tank bolt to hold that side down


Looks good. :smt023

[B's Legacy Wagon]

Just saw another thread about a guy making a spare tire cover out of an old carbon fiber hood. wonder if you could use carbon fiber for something like this??

[LegacyGT97]

Mines drying right now. I'll post a picture up when i get it back on.

[LegacyGT97]

Here is mine, just did it quickly and painted it. then it started raining so the paint is a little iffy.
I used the radiator supports to hold it in position. Just need to sand it and repaint it for it to fully be done.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/5536/img0087lu.th.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/img0087lu.jpg/)

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/8316/img0088i.th.jpg (http://img92.imageshack.us/i/img0088i.jpg/)

[TheSiege]

What's the point of the shroud? Does it do anything?

[TGX4776]

cleans up the engine bay and I think if i remember correctly increases cooling by 15% or some such number, or airflow through the radiator by 15%.

[Baddog]

Was trying to get the template but the original pictures are no longer there.

[ubar legacy]

anyone able to post a template? i'd like to try this..