ECS,


Our kit includes all of the parts you are showing in the diagrams. We do not include coolant in our kit, but we have it listed separately on the site if anyone needs it.

 

The center radiator bracket directs air downward, so you'll want to cut vents out of the bottom of your bumper, like the Tiptronic bumper has.

 

The Suncoast kit contains all the parts necessary to install the radiator. There are no other parts required with the exception of coolant. A US gallon, 3.8 Liters, of coolant from Suncoast runs just under $ 30 if memory serves so that makes 2 liters worth about $ 14.00. I only used about half but doesn't hurt to have a little extra on hand. As for the price differential, in a free market society businesses can charge what ever they feel their customers will pay. As a disclaimer I am not associated with Suncoast in any way other than as a satisfied customer. Excellence deserves recognition.

 

So this mod does nothing without a new thermo?

 

It does. It adds 20 lbs or so to the empty weight of the car. Suggest you also update the thermostat with a lower temp model if you run in hot weather a lot.

 

Thanks hroussard. Where can I source one and why wouldn't they have put this on the car to begin with?

 

there is lots of good information on this if you do a search.
One thing you need to know, an engine really needs to be running around 180 degrees to be efficient so that's why these thermostats are designed for that temp. Again if you are in hot climates and you sit in start-stop traffic a lot, the cooling system is marginally, hence the old needle swinging up to 200 etc. Bear in mind that the temp needle on a Porsche is actually working that means, it is a representation of the actual temp. In most cars, it's just an idiot light that does not change unless there is something really going wrong. This is to prevent people hitting the dealerships for "free service" as the gauge is too high and the engine must run too hot. I think that is why we, Porsche nuts, eye that gauge up much more then any other driver type. There is lots of coolant plumbing, the engine hangs in the back, heat is difficult to evacuate etc etc. You can buy these thermostats from some of the sponsors of this forum. Fun and games!

 

Thanks for the info I did some reading and my understanding is that the stock thermo regulates temp to keep it close to optimum operating temp while running so adding a 3rd rad won't lower normal operating temp since the thermo controls that. But if you run into situations that exceed the systems' ability e.g. trackdays in fla. having a third rad will increase the cooling capacity of the entire system.

 

Yep, that's about all there is to it...except the fact that you should not use actual WATER in the coolant system.. as someone else said, you will need some Porsche coolant to fill up the system. Oh, and "burping" the system is a biaaatch and might need to be done over several sittings to completely get the air out of that system, remember it has a lot of piping etc. And, while you are at it, do check the other radiators and make sure there is no debris blocking the airflow. If you have not done that yet, it's time to check that. That's where you are going to find that baseball that was missing and perhaps that g-string too... you never know.. :-)

 

I recently installed the Suncoast kit and it is very complete. THANKS SUNCOAST!!! I've hit a snag though. I can't seem to get my Airlift to pull a vacuum on the system!?! I've checked the connections, both on the car and the Airlift. I can't find a leak though. Does one need to pinch off an overflow or close a valve? I've read the service manual and can't find anything. When I try to vacuum the system down the airlift spits coolant and releases pressure but will not pull the system down more than 5-7 lbs then just levels off. Suggestions???

 

I only see a black valve at the back of the reservior tank at the fill point, not a traditional overflow like on most other vehicles. Where is it located? What does it look like?

 

Double post. Sorry!

 

Still can't wait for next week to see which vendor will have a sale on this radiator kit.

I have a C4S and I really need to either control the temperature or replace my lead foot. hahahah

 

I use to have it on my Carrera and Porsche never said anything on many service visits. It's also standard on some hot climate market like Dubai.

 

If you are not tracking the car on a regular basis then doing the 160 degree thermostat will keep the water and oil temps down at a much cheaper expense.

I did the 3rd rad and lower stat on my C2S but I tracked the car 6-8 times a year. It did help put quite a bit.

The biggest PITA was getting the air out of the system. What helped a lot of getting it a full as possible then add in 1 bottle of Redline Water Wetter. That speed the process up a lot! The air just started to come out at a much faster rate.