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Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 6:42 am
by WillyDaP
My CGTS is still on a boat , but she seems to be sailing quickly to the port in Houston. One of the first items I want to acquire are radiator screens since I will tracking the little mid engined monster with PCA, NASA and SCCA and it seems folks are recommending protection. My two concerns are fit and finish and maintaining a ton of air flow so she does not run hot. I am a firm believer in running 10/10ths for an entire session, so I am more concerned about this than the driver who zips out, runs 2-3 laps and is back in the pits. Have heard about a third radiator option, but initially I want to see how things go with just the standard set-up. Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from the successes and products some of you have been using.

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 8:50 am
by marin
On my 991.2 I used Rennline Grills. They looked the most OEM, and fit and finish was great.

I ordered it with the 3rd Radiator screen. I didn't have a 3rd radiator at that time, but then later decided to add one so it was good to have this extra piece.

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 11:11 am
by WillyDaP
Thanks, any issues with running on the track or do you track your 991.2?

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 11:31 am
by marin
I did use them on the track, much better to have the screens. No issues that I noticed. The screens are really thin, I can't imagine an impact to airflow. Eventually you'll build up a small amount of debris behind the screens and in front of the radiators, so you'll need to find a way to clean that (for the most part I just left it there, but different people care about keeping things super clean).

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 2:11 pm
by J-Dub
I am on the fence about these screens, I recently did get a puncture in my center radiator. I am hesitant for two reasons, the look and the decreased airflow.

Specifically for the 718 GTS I see the Rennline and the Zunsport. The Radiator grill store also has some but I can't tell if they are unique or are reselling one of the prior. So far I am not loving the look of them.

At a recent track day there was a MKIV supra, you know the one with the BMW drive train. He had recently fitted grill guards and was complaining of running hot that day. On the third or fourth session he took the grill guards off before he got on the track and when he was done he reported that he had no issues running hot that session.

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 2:36 pm
by WillyDaP
Appreciate the help guys, because I am concerned about debris, but not at the sacrifice of heat build up. I am with you J-Dub on the looks, but I figure the protection is worth it unless the things cut the airflow. Different car than I will have, but good to know no issue for you Marin.

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:00 pm
by J-Dub
I want to find a way to make the GTS front bumper cover a bit more aggressive, these grills just pull it the opposite way for me. Depending on the color of your car, color matching the center lower black lip can work.

I am interested in having the center bar that is matte black plastic color matched. Have been trying to find an image of this on the web but so far have failed.

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:06 pm
by marin
I'm not sure what kind of guards that Supra was running, but my 718 GT4 RS came with OEM grill screens already installed. These look almost identical to the Rennline grill screens I installed on my 991.2. I very highly doubt the Rennline screens will reduce airflow at all.

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:07 pm
by marin
The Zunesport ones are much thicker than Rennline or OEM. I might be worried about a change in airflow with those.

Re: Radiator screen protection for Trackrats!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:02 pm
by blueline
marin wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:06 pm I'm not sure what kind of guards that Supra was running, but my 718 GT4 RS came with OEM grill screens already installed. These look almost identical to the Rennline grill screens I installed on my 991.2. I very highly doubt the Rennline screens will reduce airflow at all.
Are yours the same OEM screens that are on my '21 718 GT4? I've never had any overheating issues either and my car is on track a lot, often on hot days. And yes, it's pushed when on track.

GT4 front grills (cropped closeup) - Copy.jpg
GT4 front grills (cropped closeup) - Copy.jpg (70.56 KiB) Viewed 2047 times

PS - this pic was when the car was new...it's a little funkier now. :lol: