Open to Breathe

I have always found it humorous that car manufacturers design cars with fake grilles.  If air is not passing through it, why make it look like a vent?

The C30 has two fake grilles which surround the fog lights.  While these make sense as covers for the light housings, I wanted to make them functional vents for added cooling.

Using nothing but a dremel tool, I carefully cut out the plastic between the grilles.

Custom fog grilles

Unlike the S40, the C30 had solid plastic behind the fake grilles.  Using a drill, I was able to remove that plastic panel to expose the ends of the front mounted intercooler.

Not only is this a cosmetic upgrade, but more air now passes along side the intercooler and oil pan.  Added ventilation and cooling is always a benefit, especially on a turbo'd car.