[Newport]

I've just noticed that only the 2.3L is supposed to get active grill shutters, I wonder why only the Ecoboost gets shutters and not the S550 GT as well?

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...hes-mustang-convertible-to-rival-europes-best

One version of the Mustang, powered by the new 2.3-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost, will get active grille shutters, which close the grille off and send air over the top of the car at higher speeds.

 

[Green Horse]

So is that meant to make the aerodynamics better? I always thought that letting the air pass through the car through the grille would decrease resistance. I bet there is some YouTube video that explains this or something.

They must have chosen to only put the active grille shutters on the EcoBoost model because of something to do with aerodynamics.

 

[4bangin]

didnt know the ecoboost had these

awesome.

because the ecoboost is awesome thats why.

 

[Green Horse]

didnt know the ecoboost had these

awesome.

because the ecoboost is awesome thats why.

How insightful.

I think that this guy may know a bit more about this than you do though.

2015 Mustang Tech Aerodynamic Forum - YouTube

Each of the three Mustang variants has a slightly different grille design, only allowing as much air through as each engine needs to cool and to breathe. On the turbocharged Ecoboost model, active grille shutters can adjust this to an even greater degree--opening wide for cooling, or closing to improve aero. Further preventing the parachuting phenomenon are the car's hood vents, which allow excess pressure to exit through the hood and over the car.

 

[Newport]

So is that meant to make the aerodynamics better? I always thought that letting the air pass through the car through the grille would decrease resistance. I bet there is some YouTube video that explains this or something.

They must have chosen to only put the active grille shutters on the EcoBoost model because of something to do with aerodynamics.

no it has to do with cooling. The 5.0 wouldn't be able to breathe properly at sustained crusing speeds, the eco however requires less cooling, plus because the engine takes up less space in the bay there is much less heat soak.

as for aero, no its more efficicent for the air to travel around and over the car than through it. Because keep in mind when it goes through the car, it doesnt pass through the car unimpeded it hits up against the firewall which actually create internal drag...

 

[BoostedStang]

Good point, smaller engine also allows for easier configuration of where to have an air intake suck in air from, so much more to work with

 

[Green Horse]

But if the Ecoboost engine needs less cooling than wouldn't it not need the active shutters on the grille instead of needing them?

At least we know that it is a deliberate decision based on what's best for the car instead of something just to do with trim levels or costs.

 

[4bangin]

im guessing it helps cool the turbos? turbo engines generally run hot, but at the same time need the engine to warm up quickly to be efficient

 

[Newport]

But if the Ecoboost engine needs less cooling than wouldn't it not need the active shutters on the grille instead of needing them?

At least we know that it is a deliberate decision based on what's best for the car instead of something just to do with trim levels or costs.

That doesnt make sense, Grill Shutters REDUCE cooling. Here, maybe pictures will help.

EcoBoost

5.0 GT

There is more room in the Ecoboosts engine bay, meaning there is LESS Heat Soak. Heat Soak is when heat is transferred from component to component from simply operating int he same environment. Notice how crammed in the 5.0 is. There is less available area for the heat to dissipate by itself therefore the 5.0 has MORE Heat Soak, meaning any reduction in cooling (Active Grill Shutters) is going to detrimentally affect the engines operations.

Plus the Ecoboost is about being economical, especially if they want it to fly in Europe. So marketing is definitely a big part of it as well. Grill shutters will typically give you a 1-2% improvement in efficiency, which yea not much however its better to say you have them, than to not...

 

[BoostedStang]

grille shutters sound cool, but clearly give go significant improvement, not enough to make it a must to put on, but likely it helps to sell cars, including it in their marketing script.

 

[Newport]

grille shutters sound cool, but clearly give go significant improvement, not enough to make it a must to put on, but likely it helps to sell cars, including it in their marketing script.

well 1-2% savings while it may not seem significant, over the life time of the vehicle it can aggregate to several thousand dollars saved in fuel costs...