718 Radiators & Screens - The Backside!

[JodehFoster]

Ugh, I noticed the slats seem wide.

I just got done cleaning after my 3rd DE weekend this year. Way more rubber chunks this time around (all over my paint as well ). I looked at my vents this morning and they were clear. I’ve got the 20” Apex.

[blueline]

This also happened to me this past weekend at COTA. '22 GT4 with 19 inch Apex wheels. LOTS of clag wedged in those slats at the end of the weekend.

Thank you for the input and welcome to Carpokes!

PS - I love my Apex wheels on the GT4 (SM 10-RS 19").

[TRSCobra]

There are 5x T25 torx screws and the grate comes right off. Wouldn't be a bad idea to blow some compressed air through the backside of the radiators while you're in there, either.

[blueline]

There are 5x T25 torx screws and the grate comes right off. Wouldn't be a bad idea to blow some compressed air through the backside of the radiators while you're in there, either.

Thank you for that info! Great advice on the compressed air too.

I was wondering if the slats were removable but had not yet been able to find a definitive answer - figured I'd look to see what I could find myself when I pull the wheels for the usual post-track rotation, but now I know.

Interestingly, I have not noticed any rubber chunks stuck in the slats prior to this past week, so I've paid little to no attention to that part of the fender well.

I'm also curious if the GT3 screens are interchangeable with the GT4's slatted panels. Someone I know has a spare set of screens from a GT3 so I'm going to find out!

Thanks again for the advice.

[JetFuelOnly]

I frequently get chunk stuck in there, but only once has it gone in all the way and impacted the fan blades. It was minor and just made a little noise. Pulling that section was an easy clean out.

[Treemagnet]

This also happened to me this past weekend at COTA. '22 GT4 with 19 inch Apex wheels. LOTS of clag wedged in those slats at the end of the weekend.

What tires were you running?

[WillyDaP]

I came home this weekend after a short drive and since my Cayman GTS is in the dreaded 2000 mile break in period and I figured I might check the side vents just out of curiosity. I had already decided get screens after chatting with someone my Great Plains Region PCA friends since every single Trackrat with a Cayman or Boxster had screens, but I was shocked to find leaves wedged in the side vents and a couple Godzilla grasshoppers plastered inside the left front vent. Bingo, another item to go on my Christmas list. That was enough to completely convince me that the little Chalk Croc will not see an asphalt road course without some grill work!

[Ix_]

Following the lead of some other 718 owners, I decided to make my own grilles. I pulled the front bumper off to determine the grille shapes and locations as well as to install them. The side grilles were relatively straightforward. For the center grille, I noticed that the black plastic surround forms a box section. I was able to insert the grille into this box section, then install the surround and bumper back into the car.

PXL_20230921_023728275.jpg (3.32 MiB) Viewed 653 times

Final result:

Final.JPG (230.48 KiB) Viewed 653 times

Advantages: I can still access the outer face of the plastic surround, for cleaning and detailing. The smaller dimensions of the grille means it is stiffer.

Disadvantages: The center grille doesn't appear to be on the same plane as the outer grilles, which I think looks a little better than my solution. The plastic surround is fully exposed, like stock, giving it no additional protection.

If you want to make one it is easy. On your chosen grille material mark out a rectangle 15.25" wide and 7.25" tall. On all sides, add a 1/2" strip extending outwards. Cut the grille out and bend the 1/2" strip 90 degrees inwards on all four sides. Insert the grille into the box of the plastic surround and reassemble.