well i took off the middle grill piece (goes inbetween the lights) and as i was taking it off the thought came to mind "did this keep big rocks from hitting my radiator?" and well...does it? i like how it looks with it being out but if its safer with it in then i'll put it back in...or find some mesh and paint it black..

 

i agree with you about the look.

lets think about it for a sec, how many rocks get that high. i would figure you would get more bugs stuck in there but i can't see alot of damage happening form arock flying that high, unless your into rallying.

if anything i would guess that the larger hole would allow more air to flow thru the raidator maximizing efficiency.

 

I have always ran my neons without that piece for the same you are. It looks better imo and have never had a problem with rocks and i travel alot of back roads and dirt roads to my work.

 

it's there for some aero...the larger hole would not do **** thats just stupid no offence...maximizing efficiency...lol you need alot of air for that.

 

i find it hard to belive that a smaller hole will flowmore air. The more air that passes thru the radiator and contacts the fins the more heat will be taken away from your eingine coolant. It is very possible to control engine temp by varying the amout of air that passes thru the heat exchanger. just look at the nascar guys they do it al the time by removing and adding tape to the grill.

in the neons case i would guess that it wouldonly be most effective at speeds over 60mph.
.edit. bad speller

 

ha ha ha ha changing the grill out would do nothing you need more air then that or have a resticktive(i can't spell either)front grill....removing this grill on a neon would do nothing....but i do now that something like a new bumper with a wider hole can help....and thereare some cars thatthis idea works but with a neon there is a good amount of airgoing in from the grill. if you did remove the grill you would get some drag very little drag but drag is drag