Here it is guys - something we've been working on for a while now at the top-secret skunkworks under our shop

Availability (almost as usual it seems) will be early Winter 2007 (Nov-Dec. timeframe) and cost is TBA for the pair, although we are working to keep this product very affordable. It will fit the GT only, but is designed for a "snap-in" installation that will not only make the front end look more "finished" but also help protect the radiator and coolers from large FOD damage. It will be made from the same ASA UV-protected resin we use to make our honeycomb rear panel, and is contoured and shaped to fit in and look OEM.

I have tested the prototype to 100+ mph already, and other than some small appearance modifications to make it look perfect and blend in seamlessly, production is already approved. It does not hamper airflow, and actually helps to straighten the air prior to it hitting the radiator.

As to fit and finish... this is proudly the first product we've developed as part of the Ford Technology Transfer program, and as such, all of the dimensions for our part's exterior edges were taken directly from Ford's software models of that area of the car.

 

Hard to tell from the pics, the black is too dark.
But always looking forward to new products from SHR!

 

Hard to tell from the pictures but are the center pieces the only ones that allow air to flow through them?

Looks like another great product!

 

Looks good, got to ask though is it an entire replacement for the lower grille or is it snap in inserts? I am hoping for the later

 

Marcello... looks good. Can't wait for this to hit the online catalog. I've noticed my lower radiator is already taking a beating from road debris (and I only have 9K mi). Keep us posted on release updates.

 

Thanks everyone !

The pieces are clip-in inserts that install into the existing lower grill, hence how we are going to be able to keep this well into the sub-100.00 range, because we won't have to tool up a 125k mold to produce them... it's still not a cheap set of molds, but it is more affordable than previous pieces we've designed. We're using the draft of the existing lower grill to actually help trap the part in place - so it literally snaps into place in 30 seconds, no adhesive required (although for a permanant installation I'd recommend some plastic cement or MEK to bond them together)

The pieces are going to be the two center inserts, which will allow air to flow through them. The factory side "openings" are blocked off, and remain that way, our pieces pick up the honeycomb pattern and carry it across the lower front end, while helping to protect the radiator... too many runs to S. Florida and Orlando area in our car has demonstrated the need to protect this, as we have some big bugs down here!

As always, comments and questions are appreciated, and you can say you saw it here at TMS first! Better pictures we'll see what we can do, but the lines that are going to change from prototype to production kind of make the prototype look too "stuck on" for our taste.

 

awesome! I'm definitely getting one of these as soon as theyre available- washing the car last week noticed the condenser has a lot of dinged up fins already- surely could only help prevent some of that...looks right at home there too- nice job!

I dont have a chin spoiler/probably wont due to worries about road damage- but just to toss the question out there: for those with chin spoilers - think these will still snap in?

 

Not something I ever really paid attention to. "I wish somebody would make a grill to cover the radiator" Never crossed my mind. With that said since your making them and I know you make quality stuff put me down for a set. Are you going to do a discount thing like you did for the honeycomb panel and the louvers??

So will the billet switch plates take a back seat to these??

 

These remind me of what we called fishmouths at Ford that were used on the F 150's prior to 2006 which snapped into the bumper to cover the bumper mount studs behind the chrome bumper itself. Good call Marcello, another product which will bring you out on top yet again in 2007!

 

i know this is too soon to say, and i love these inserts, i can not wait for them. But is there any chance we could see an insert for the GT/CS front end, i might be converting later and would be nice to see something for that bumper

 

Not to hijack the thread, but as soon as I get my GT/CS back I will be working on an insert for the CS from billit aluminum. check out the thread in the CS portion of TMS.
Car should be back this week I hope.....Proto type and photos in the next few weeks.

 

Marcello to the rescue again!

When I was wanting to dress up the drab rear end of my baby, you came out with the rear Honeycomb panel. I was so anxious I ordered a pre-mass production one. I was extremely satisfied.

For some time now I have been looking for such a grill to help prevent any additional damage to the radiator and condenser. I have quite a few light dings on mine as it is a daily driver. I really wanted to keep with the factory design pattern instead of metal horizontal bar substitutes.

Now, you come out with this grill. It sounds like the perfect answer to my quest. Protection and original pattern. You must be a mind reader.

Please keep us informed and some additional photos of the parts with better contrast would be appreciated.

Proud SilverHorseRacing customer.

RC

 

Marcello, as always, I'm ready with CC in hand. Just let us know when you will open up the pre-orders. This is a terrific idea!!!

Oh and BTW, I will be calling you hopefully tomorrow for some new items.

 

great new products AFTER i drop $350 for my helmet and $99 for my driving shoes

 

Thanks guys - we try

I don't know if we will be doing a pre-order or not on this one, let's wait until the production prototype is done and photographed and we'll see how all the costs come in (the one photographed above is just a proof-of-concept part). Sometimes we start these things up, and have no idea what the final costs are... there are rough numbers out there right now, but we don't have exact costs yet for the molds and first run costs. If it is possible to do a pre-order though, we'll see what we can do for everyone.

On the GT/CS - Doug has mentioned to me he is going to be doing something there, and so I'm leaving that one alone for him to play with - although we might be carrying it when complete. It's also worth mentioning that the GT/CS nose is pretty rare compared to the GT nose, and given the potential customer base, it would not be cost-effective to tool up a mold for it, unless Ford were to switch production of the GT completely to the GT/CS bumper. (big hole=big mold=$$$)

On photography - we'll photograph the next one before painting it - prototypes normally are made in white, we just painted this one almost the moment we had it in hand...

 

Leo,

I caught what you asked at the end of the post - no these will not push back the switch plates any, they are concurrent projects. Billet is all being done in-house, while our injection work is done locally off-site. I think that over the next year you're going to see us be able to really start knocking out new products as it grows at a geometric rate. One thing builds on the next, and as our capabilities and equipment / personnel grow, things just keep accelerating. (well at least the speed at which we have to work accelerates!)

FYI what jammed up the switch plates most recently was another "project" from Saleen, which is just now getting under control... so it's not as if I don't want them done, we just had to get this running for them.

Just keeping the lines of communication open

 

Wow, another problem solved that I didn't know I had!!! (but I'm glad you thought if it!) Whoohoooo!! Marcello, that is really impressive.

Chalk me up for a set too!!!

 

Yeah, well if you do any amount of driving, you will see the condensor and radiator don't really like being whacked, and while this won't stop it entirely, it will reduce the chance of any big stuff getting to it. We use 1/4" steel mesh on the race cars, but I doubt you want to use chicken wire on your street / show cars.

Attached is a screen shot of both inserts in the piece - in the software world. Prototype of the passenger side with all changes for production should be ready in another week or two.

 

I'm likin' it. If it's anything like the SHR rear honeycomb panel (which I have), I take one as well!

 

Same materials, same design, same injection press even will be running it The only difference will be it is a new mold to make a new part. Given the QC we will be employing on it (same as our other injected parts) I'm guessing you will like it!