My 1st Thread - 3rd Radiator plus add'l
 

Just want to say "thank you" for the postings regarding the third radiator install. I just finished mine and the contributions by various members helped a lot.

Thanks.

While installing, decided to install my front license plate. Yes, I know! Front license plates are ugmo. I thought after many years, I would install it since if I get stopped, I would have numerous "fix it" tickets (front tinted glasses, no plates, etc.). :)

Heck, I even see Corvettes now with front plates.

Anyways, here is the compromise that I did. The setup is almost 'not ugly' - almost invisible at many anggles, but visible at a few angles (police?) :) But, for me, I think it will serve the purpose.

pics finally uploaded:

Not bad; how will it effect the 3rd radiator? Did you have to trim the plate down to fit in there? I like what you did as it is a low-profile way of adding the front plate to be legal. I can't imagine a LEO having a problem with that.

I do not think it is bad also. :)

I had to trim the plate just a little bit to fit the curvature to make sure it sits square at the bottom and top. As for the third radiator, it should be fine for day to day drive and for my spirited drive around Mulholland and the canyons. Obviously, I can take off the plate easily if I ever go on the track.

I've had the radiator for a week now and I haven't heard the fan go off after turning off the engine. The final test will be when summer comes back.

I see; how did you secure the plate?

The plate is very secure as I ensured that I took into account wind, vibration, car velocity, etc.


To ensure that the bottom of the plate does not act like a blade knife and to ensure the plate does not 'cut/scrape' the car parts, I used rubber electrical tape as 'cushion' by wrapping the tape on the edges. I could have used double-sided tape, but I did not think that adhesion is necessary; what is necessary here is 'cushion'.

The top part has a double-sided tape to protect the bumper paint (and for mounting purposes). The plate is also secured with very small 2 screws. I thought I would start with the smallest screws/holes and move up if needed. As I said, as is, the plate is very very secure, so I will let it be.

IMO, the end result is very clean and factory-lookking. Are you planning on doing this? If necessary, I can provide more pics, templates, before-trimming of the plate, after-trimming of the plates, etc.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Does anybody know if there's such a law against tampering with the license plate in CA?

I just trimmed like 1/8" top and bottom. You'll never know the difference unless you actually would take a ruler. If you look closer, you can still see the 2 mounting hole of the plate.

I am sure there is always a law against any tampering of anything (be it the Gundo hack, tint, lowering the car, smoked rear/front lenses, etc.). But then again, we all thrive for walking on semi-illegal grounds). :)

i understand the need for a plate and aesthetics, but you just blocked 1/2 the airflow to the new rad. ok yes air can technically "get around" the plate but in re: physics and aerodynamics, didnt you just negate a lot of benefit of the 3rd rad you just added?

As mentioned above, I don't track the car much; thus, I don't lose much. The plate will be removed if and when I need it. The plate can be easily removed in less than a minute.

For now, the car is cooler than before. And, a partially blocked 3rd radiator is better than no radiator.

ah, gotcha, that makes sense.

Why did you need a 3rd radiator?

cab83, nice job on the install! Now that it has been several months since you completed the project what's next on your DIY list?

Mark/Pelican Parts

More cooling.

Yes I do understand the purpose of the rad. I guess my question is should I be worried about my car's cooling system if I don't track it all? Hard to believe that Porsche has under engineered the 997 cooling system.