[The Donkey]

I am not going to this just yet but it is under consideration. I just realized that I have the front valence already so I can do this. Couple of questions for those that have one:

1. How much does this really lower oil temps, on average?
2. How do you mount one of these with a license plate in VA on front and back? Seems to me like it would obstruct airflow into the fins unless you mounted the license plate higher up on the bumper?

Just going over some options when I fix the crushed oil lines. It was mentioned to me that my shop could refabricate those oil lines by having a machinist make them. Seems to me that this would be cheaper than the Porsche lines. I could be wrong.

I really am a bit freaky about oil temps. I don't want to have to stress over running hot if I run up to DC or Richmond on business and get caught in a traffic jam.

[Jazzbass]

Front mounted coolers are great if your car is a track car and you have the proper valence/sheet metal behind the cooler to get proper airflow to the cooler.

For street cars they don't, IMO, provide any more protection than a Carrera cooler with a fan on it (for sitting in traffic), but do increase the risk of getting ripped off by road hazards because they hang so low. And they have to hang low because if they're up higher, the trunk sheet metal blocks is right behind them blocking airflow.

Since I never hear you talking about the track, I assume your car is a street car exclusively. If so, put a good Carrera cooler with fan in the right front fender, notch the bumper a la Carreras, and you should be good.

[cmartin]

The simplest solution is the get the Carrera cooler with fan and stock lines. Mount it in the fender with all OEM pieces and it just works. This is the tried and true that works for 100% for street 911's. Sitting in traffic with a huge front mount doesnt help, no airflow.

[The Donkey]

Thanks Jazz. Good advice. It is a street car but I keep wanting to do some DE's. Family is making that tough on weekends but i will get there.

I actually want to try to move this car to DD status. that is why I want the oil temps to be in check for all seasons. if it was a weekend car I could selectively drive it but for DD I don't want to be limited.

Your assumption is correct though. this car will be a street car 95% of the time.

[The Donkey]

Carrera it is then. i didn't consider the lack of airflow on the front mounted cooler in traffic. Very good point by Jazz and CMartin. traffic is what scares me. i have had issues with my other 2 911's in traffic driving the 95 South commute from NYC. It freaked me out and I didn't care for it at all. bumper to bumper traffic watching it rise to the red with no where to go is a bad feeling.

[Jazzbass]

Don't worry about tracking it. I track my car with a Carrera cooler and a cut out in the valence and my temps are fine. Traffic might be an issue, but has never been for me in the (admittedly few) times I've been stuck on the beltway. Front mounted cooler = pain in the ass IMO. New bumper + new lines + fitting the cooler + susceptible to damage.

Carrera cooler + fan for traffic and I think you're good to go.

[Rick V]

William, correct me if I am wrong but doesn't your car already have a Carrera cooler on it.

[cmartin]

My Carrera always ran cool, on track in traffic... Sitting in traffic on 495 on a ~100 deg day I was getting nervous as the temp was creeping up. All of a sudden I head this strange noise, something I'd never heard before. Turns out it was the fan, it worked like a champ.

The Carrera upgrade, with proper shroud, fan, lines... isnt cheap, but it works. In the long run it's simpler and less work than fab'ing something. Even if you track the car there are tricks to get more airflow to the cooler, like removing a fog light.

[The Donkey]

No, I have the trombone Rick. I looked a while back since you mentioned that and I was unfortunately disappointed.