Suggestions for grill material

[brianewing]

I'm going to fab a grill for the cobra. Planning on using 1/4 inch flattened expanded metal. My question is aluminum or stainless steel?

[Ron61]

I would say it depends on where you are driving it. Either would look good and do the job, but if you drive where you may have chunks of rubber or small rocks and pebbles hitting it, I believe the stainless would stand up better. Make it easy to change and then make two so if you want to show the car you can put in the new and unused one.

Ron

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by Ron61

I would say it depends on where you are driving it. Either would look good and do the job, but if you drive where you may have chunks of rubber or small rocks and pebbles hitting it, I believe the stainless would stand up better. Make it easy to change and then make two so if you want to show the car you can put in the new and unused one.

Ron

Additionally, if you drive on coastal routes, aluminum corrodes with the salt environment so you should clear coat/anodize.

[Dwight]

I installed 1/8" (maybe thiner) stainless mesh on my Cobra 12 years ago and 40,000 miles.
On my GT 40 I used thin aluminum mesh. No miles on it yet.

You said you were looking at 1/4". If your talking about 1/4" thick, it will be to heavy.
I used stainless because I could tig weld it to a 1/4" chromoly tubing. I glass bead blasted the assembly and clear coated it 12 years ago and it still looks good.
The aluminum mesh, I just wrapped it around the 1/4" steel rod. I welded tabs to the rod for mounting.

I have a lot of rock chip on the Cobra but no damage to the aluminum radaitor. I havecleaned a lot of large bugs off of the mesh but I don't see any marks left by rocks.

Remember the mesh will restrict air flow. The hole size in the mesh will be a compromise of protection and air flow.
Check McMaster-Carr for mesh McMaster-Carr
Dwight

[brianewing]

Thanks all, I was leaning towards stainless but thought I would check for some experienced opinions. And Dwight, the 1/4 inch I was referring to is the diamond size. I found this online. MetalsDepot® - Stainless Steel Expanded It is 18 gauge so I think it will work. Thoughts? Its the one in the upper left hand corner.

[DougD]

If it was me, I'd use a much finer screen material. Fabricate a frame to mount securely over the radiator and cover with strong mesh screen.

I just don't like the look of the expanded metal. Plus, it blocks much of the airflow. The screen material just kind of disappears and doesn't draw your attention like the expanded metal does.

Of course, it's just my 2 cents worth...

[chiefshocker]

I prefer working with aluminum to stainless steel, easy to cut, bend and polish. Plus once you have a template it should be easy to reproduce if it gets worn or damaged.