Does anyone have any sage advice on removing the center insert, shown here in the Rennline video, and installing wire mesh grill?

I have an '08 C2S without a center radiator. Maybe this is a downright bad idea and I should just leave the insert in place?



Removed center insert...

 

Nothing to be gained by removing the insert unless you plan on adding the 3rd radiator at the same time. It is there to reduce drag although I can't say why the hole was put there in the first place on non-3rd radiator equipped cars.

 

Well, I can help you with that in about a week, as im having the 3rd radiator installed and wire mesh installed at the same time.


Not sure how the bodyman is going to install it, but hes done several before, so ill be certain to ask him.


All of the above repairs due to a 30 pound raccoon. nice.

 

Thanks @Dadio

I couldn't wrap my head around whether removing it and letting air flow to not-a-radiator was better or worse than a blocked out bumper with no airflow.

 

and it has always seemed like a big bowl placed there to just catch air totally un aerodynamically...i am sure the engineers at P have/had a plan though...what is it...?

 

My concern would be with the additional air getting under the car increasing front end lift and under body turbulence. If you do any high speed driving this could reduce stability and traction.

 

Would this be the same as a center radiator? That air going in has to go somewhere.

 

Good point. In any case, I would tend to think that if it was better for the air to just go through and under (with no added cooling benefit), Porsche would have designed it that way. I certainly could be wrong though. Maybe someone else with a center radiator knows how that air is routed (other than the GT3 solution of up and over the hood).

 

When you install the center radiator there is a duct that forces the air out of holes that you cut out of the bottom of the bumper. The GT3 uses the vent in the top of the bumper to do the same thing. You can't see it here but behind the radiator a plastic shroud funnels the air down.

 

By the way: on a 997.2 the center piece is designed so that it pushes the air to both sides and adds airflow to both side radiators. meaning do not remove it on a 997.2 unless you install a 3rd radiator

 

I wouldn't do it. I have 3rd radiator and no wire mesh. I just vacuum every once in a while. if you don't have a 3rd radiator you won't need it at all

 

Leave it alone.


I might get flamed but:


1. If you remove it, you would expose the skeletons behind it.
2. I think it's there for cost reasons. Probably cheaper to have one mold to make the base bumper as opposed to 2 molds (1 for no center radiator and another for cars with center radiator).
3. I have installed a 3rd radiator. IMO, I believe I lost slight high speed stability since the bumper is no longer aero-dynamic. Again, IMO. I still need to investigate if adding the smile vent would help; however, someone stated that there isn't space for air to actually flow upward with my model. I have yet to verify this.
4. I did use that opening to install my license plate. Installation allowed me to not drill in front of the bumper.

 

Great feedback, thanks everyone. I'll likely leave it alone but will decide once I get the front bumper off and really investigate.