What is a Grille?

Before we begin discovering about the world of billet grills, we need to first understand what a grille is and what reason it serves on your vehicle. In automotive engineering, a grill (also spelled as grille) is an opening in the bodywork of a vehicle to allow air to enter. Most vehicles feature a grille at the front of the vehicle to allow air to flow over the radiator and cool the engine compartment. Other common grille locations include below the front bumper, in front of the wheels (to cool the brakes), or on the rear deck lid (in rear engine vehicles).

Without these openings to the radiator, your engine would soon overheat, seize and need either a very expensive overhaul or a trip to the junkyard. But, if the grill openings were left uncovered, it would invite equally serious damage from omnipresent road debris, i.e., flying rocks, broken metal parts and spilled loads. Thankfully, style-conscious automotive manufacturers developed an effective way of protecting these openings without torching your engine. What was their solution? A billet grill, of course.

In essence, a billet grill is a protective barred grid that allows air to flow in while deflecting airborne road objects. Besides being functional, billet grills are thoughtfully designed to accentuate and compliment the vehicle. At the same time, they customize and personalize it. It's also a great auto restyling tool. Now that we have a clear understanding of what a billet grill is and the important role it plays on your vehicle, it's worthwhile to investigate the distinguishing features of billet grills. What are the pros and cons of each type?