<p align="left">Have you noticed how exposed your radiator is behind the front bumper air scoop? All it takes is a piece of gravel or debris to be thrown up by something in front and a bit of bad luck and you will have a punctured radiator. If you fitted an expensive Front Mounted Intercooler, it is even more a risk. I decided to see what I could do about this.</p>
<p align="left">Things you will need in advance are a piece of mesh large enough to fit the scoop (the S14a scoop is bigger than the S14), some 100mm strips of metal wire, and bonding compound. The mesh I initially used was aluminium. I would strongly advise against this as it deteriorates and forms white rust. The mesh I now have is stainless steel 'MG type' diamond pattern, which I bought from my local Halfords. You will also need a cutting knife (or thin hacksaw blade), some wire cutters and a 10mm socket.</p>
<p align="left">Undo the engine undertray before starting as this give much better access to the air scoop.</p>
<p align="left"><span class="wf_caption" style="display: inline-table;"><img src="images/guides/mesh1.jpg" alt="View before" height="NaN" width="100%" /><span style="max-width: 512px; text-align: center; display: block;">Figure 1</span></span></p>
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<p align="left">On an S14 you will need to remove the cross-members in the scoop. Use a cutting knife or hacksaw blade, and cut carefully. It is far too easy to slip and scrape the bumper.</p>
<p align="left"><span class="wf_caption" style="display: inline-table;"><img src="images/guides/mesh2.jpg" alt="The scoop braces" height="NaN" width="100%" /><span style="max-width: 512px; text-align: center; display: block;">Figure 2</span></span></p>
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<p align="left">With the cross-members removed (Figure 3) you can touch up the plastic that you cut away if you wish. On a darker coloured bumper it isn't that noticeable. Take this opportunity to thoroughly T-cut the scoop.</p>
<p align="left"><span class="wf_caption" style="display: inline-table;"><img src="images/guides/mesh3.jpg" alt="Braces removed" height="NaN" width="100%" /><span style="max-width: 512px; text-align: center; display: block;">Figure 3</span></span></p>
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<p align="left">Cut out a piece of mesh bigger than the scoop and try it for size by feeding it in from underneath. The mesh will probably need several trimmings before its the right size.<br /><br />I initially bonded the mesh to the bumper. This is a very fiddly process and is a right pain if you want to change the mesh later (which I did!). What I did second time around was use strips of wire which I stuck to the hidden inside edge of the scoop using bonding compound. This allowed the mesh to be added and removed easily by simply twisting the wire when in place.</p>
<p align="left"><span class="wf_caption" style="display: inline-table;"><img src="images/guides/mesh4.jpg" alt="Mesh ready for fitting" height="NaN" width="100%" /><span style="max-width: 512px; text-align: center; display: block;">Figure 4</span></span></p>
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<p align="left">I had plenty of mesh left to replace the stuff in my Navan grille too.</p>
<p align="left"><span class="wf_caption" style="display: inline-table;"><img src="images/guides/mesh5.jpg" alt="Mesh up close" height="NaN" width="100%" /><span style="max-width: 512px; text-align: center; display: block;">Figure 5</span></span></p>
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<p align="left">Judging by the amount of debris I now collect in the scoop each week, I know I made the right decision to fit the mesh. It also makes the front look more aggressive.</p>
<p align="left"><span class="wf_caption" style="display: inline-table;"><img src="images/guides/mesh6.jpg" alt="Cool!" height="NaN" width="100%" /><span style="max-width: 512px; text-align: center; display: block;">Figure 6</span></span></p>