I was nosing about my New 2014 V6 base and noticed that the grille seems to not have enough holes to allow for air into the front. I live in Indiana so we get hot and cold. Not alot of holes in the winter means radiator stays warmer and gives out good heat inside. BUT in the summer or those hot days, restricting air flow across the radiator would be a bad thing. Am I thinking correctly I should either open up the grille more or just replace it with a more open grille?

 

I live in Texas and I've never had a problem with overheating. Not even in 110.

 

I assume Ford has them blocked to prevent water entry in certain areas. Maybe from wind tunnel tests? Some who have gone with all open grills wind up with hood flutter issues too.

 

Yea good thing Ford didn't invest anytime into cooling.............

If I was you I would remove the hood, both fenders and the front bumper for cooling.

 

 

I have my front plate mounted to the lower grill (so it blocks even more holes) and have not had any problems.

 

I have the "digital" gauges on my '13 V6 MCA. I forget what gauges you get with the base V6. Anyway, I regularly monitor the temp gauges and I've never seen it out of the green yet. It is a pretty hot engine in general IMO. We get very similar weather to Indiana here.

 

The blocked off openings in the factory grills have something to do with 'snow ingestion' requirements
Some people have taken a dremel & removed the blocked off areas.
Have not had any cooling issues with mine, so have left the grill stock.

 

You'll have no issues with cooling. I've pushed the car pretty hard (5.0 engine) and logged coolant temps. Never surpassed 103C and averaged 98-100C. Not sure actually where I am on normal commuting driving... probably a touch cooler.

 

Seriously, you guys think Ford didn't think of that? Geezus.

 

If you worry about overheating (no need though), install the Boss lower facia; it has a larger lower opening to grab more air.

But I doubt any V6 or V8 is going to overheat due to the stock grilles design. If it becomes modified with a turbo and intercooler, then that could be a different story. My sons WRX/STi began to run hiher temps when he installed a large intercooler down in front of the car. The AC was also not as cool. The solution was a larger core radiator and two electric fans to draw more air through the intercooler, AC condensor, and radiator.

 

I think worrying about the V6 Mustang overheating with factory setup is like worrying about the 5.0 not having enough power to make up your driveway. Just a thought.

 

when the fan kicks in, you will get all the air needed. You don't need extra / bigger open frontage, the factory left you plenty

 

The hole pattern is to facilitate forcing the air flow through a certain path into the engine compartment. If you open up more holes, the flow would change.

 

And boom goes the dynamite.

 

A legit question to ask, and you respond with this.

Always one in every crowd.

 

No, it isn't a legit question. You REALLY think for a second Ford hasn't tested this car to make sure it stays cool?

 

A number of Boss 302's overheat at the track. Have had to open up the grill for more airflow

Years ago I may have asked the same question.

 

And that isn't considered normal use either, if I came in and said "I blew my 5.0 up, I was running a single 76 on 18lbs.....wish ford tested this" then I would also give the same remark.

Ford tested these cars for "normal" or a little above normal use not going to track events and pushing the cars to that level for hours on end.

 

It was an observation of mine when I was swapping out the marker lights on the front with LED's. I have had Fords all my life, being my last was a 1999 F-150 with 249,000 miles on it, still have it and still drive it, but the grille on it was restricted and when I questioned Ford about it, they sent me a newer hexagon grill with more openings and it cured running hot. I figured that Ford pre-tested for air flow, amount of fresh air into the engine area and such, as any manufacture would do. Thank you all for the input.