Grill Shutters - should I keep them?

[jtgensler]

I've got a 22 Wildtrak High/Lux, so I have ACC & all the sensors.
After my most recent off road 24 Hours of Appalachia rally, I had so much clay mud caked into my front bumper & undercarriage that it made me realize I need to relocate my ACC box before I break it.

So I looked at options & ended up deciding the brackets to relocate to the upper right part of the grille are the best option for me.
I went with Barnes4wd just for cost vs turn off-road.
Either way, it requires modifications to the shutter system.

I'm considering just taking the shutter system off altogether, but I'm looking for any advice or cons to doing so.

My pros are
Keeps shutter system stock for later reinstall if needed
Might actually help airflow to radiator

Cons
Makes ECO mode less effective (I don't use it often anyways)
Might upset some of the sensors or ECU & cause codes?

Any advice appreciated.
TIA

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[B22-2023]

I just pulled intercooler (not radiator) shutters including the motor in a 23 WT. No DTC codes or wrench, no issues.

 

[jtgensler]

I just pulled intercooler (not radiator) shutters including the motor in a 23 WT. No DTC codes or wrench, no issues.

Good to know.

 

[Smocaine]

On the Whipple intercooler kit, the intercooler shutters are deleted, but the motor is kept connected and ziptied out of the way to avoid throwing any codes. That might be a good middle ground for you. Their instructions on their website do a better job of explaining it than I can.

 

[jtgensler]

The shutters would be nice to have in the winter when you're waiting for the heater to work. Might help gas mleage too on shorter trips.

Tbh, I start mine about 5-7 minutes before I leave most times in the winter with the remote start & never think about the heat much. Heated seat & steering wheel have made me soft lol

Do the shutters deploy on their own for mileage? Or do they only deploy in ECO mode?

 

[B22-2023]

Do the shutters deploy on their own for mileage? Or do they only deploy in ECO mode?

They are variable and active all the time. I monitored the sensor on my scanner for a few days and they were flipping open, slamming shut, and every percentage open/closed in between depending on driving conditions (in Normal and Sport modes).

 

[jtgensler]

They are variable and active all the time. I monitored the sensor on my scanner for a few days and they were flipping open, slamming shut, and every percentage open/closed in between depending on driving conditions (in Normal and Sport modes).

Interesting. I guess I never realized that. I thought they were mode specific.
So the ECU must decide when to open/close them based on temp readings?
That fact makes me lean more towards modifying them for the ACC to fit...

 

[Brrrnco]

I’m interested in this question too but for different reasons perhaps. Don’t care about shutters for winter faster cabin heater, or for fuel / aero benefits, I’m more interested in understanding if they help prevent intercooler/turbo condensation entering engine in certain weather conditions. Or something else not obvious to me. Live in generally warm area of country so value cooler temps if could get with new intercooler that requires removing shutters.

 

[B22-2023]

I’m interested in this question too but for different reasons perhaps. Don’t care about shutters for winter faster cabin heater, or for fuel / aero benefits, I’m more interested in understanding if they help prevent intercooler/turbo condensation entering engine in certain weather conditions. Or something else not obvious to me. Live in generally warm area of country so value cooler temps if could get with new intercooler that requires removing shutters.

I haven’t seen anyone in the 6G community (vendors included) who have a paint a clear picture on all things turbo relative to the Bronco and A/M mods. Temp drop/pressure constant is the goal across the IC, what removing shutters does relative to moisture condensation in the 2.7L (for me) is a mystery, and it‘s a holiday weekend so not time for Ideal Gas Law discussions. I’m crosseyed anyway from being on all the ricer IC forums the past few months researching this.

 

[Direvarg]

I did the mishimoto high mount intercooler which required getting rid of both shutters. No error codes

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