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the whole process is no more than 20-30 minutes if you dont bother straightening all the bent fins on the coolers. I found straightening them satisfying cuz my ADD side symptom OCD.
installation was very easy tho I found RB's instruction isnt the best way to put the screens in by sliding them into the gap between the plastic piece and the cooler. by doing that youre risking bending the fins again.
by removing the plastic piece around the cooler, put the screens in then reinstall the plastic piece is a much better way.
overall I think they are very easy to install and dont show too much as they do on S1's because the chrome piece under the foglights.
before
after
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Thanks for the excellent post. I'm just about to order these myself, and I'm wishing I had done so last year when I first bought the car. I didn't realize just how much damage those coolers take until I read a thread here not too long ago, and then tried to clean mine out and straighten them out. Mine are already pretty beat up.
So it's not hard to get the bumper cover on and off? That was the only thing that worried me a bit, being highly mechanically incompetent!
Thanks for the excellent post. I'm just about to order these myself, and I'm wishing I had done so last year when I first bought the car. I didn't realize just how much damage those coolers take until I read a thread here not too long ago, and then tried to clean mine out and straighten them out. Mine are already pretty beat up.
So it's not hard to get the bumper cover on and off? That was the only thing that worried me a bit, being highly mechanically incompetent!
its pretty easy all you need is a wrench, and screwdrivers
Im thinking of trading my 04 for a 2010 R3, this looks like a first to do cause i know on mine right now i have to clean and straighten once a month just to keep on top of it. You enjoying your R3? Come Friday, Ill have to decide whether to trade or hold out a year or so.
I added the RB screens soon after I bought my new '05. But sometimes I wonder if they might be reducing oil cooling and, if so, too much on a hot summer day. Am I overthinking this?
__________________ "Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information."
— Michael Scott
New Yorker, you're over thinking this.
I had my screens on for almost 5 years and through some pretty hot summers and I doubt they ever reduced cooling by any significant amount.
Besides, most of our cars don't have an issue with oil cooling, it's coolant temps that are usually the issue.
__________________ 2008 VW / Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T / Reflex Silver Metallic Clearcoat. Current.
2009 Mazda / RX-8 R3 (FE17) / Aurora Electric Blue Mica. Traded
2001 Toyota / Corolla CE (E114) / Sandrift Metallic. Totalled - Not at Fault.
"My happiness can be measured by my odometer."
Nope, should fit just fine. Make sure you are installing it properly. If you look at the grill it is actually bowed a little bit so that the screen isn't actually touching the coolers. Make sure the concave part is facing the grille. It will be a tight, snug fit.
Mine fit just fine. It only covers the oil coolers, not the entire opening in the front bumper cover, so you can see the rubber edge of the screen from some angles.
I had trouble making sure those darn fangled things won't move. It felt loose to me, on both sides.
At the end of the day, I decided to leave the filters pressing against the inside of the car, and left the small opening at the outside. Also, I made sure to keep the top of the filter behind the top fastener. I tried to get the screen between the bottom fastener and the oil cooler but the faster would keep coming out.
It was a hot day, and my ex-girlfriend has an interesting driveway, so I didn't need to raise the car to get to the bottom of the front bumper. While I was moving our stuff out of my apartment into hers (long story) I decided to paint the oil cooler screens black a couple times, and then a couple clear coats. I didn't like the look that I have seen a lot of bumper mesh gave. Less Bling, rice, whatever.
__________________ 2008 VW / Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T / Reflex Silver Metallic Clearcoat. Current.
2009 Mazda / RX-8 R3 (FE17) / Aurora Electric Blue Mica. Traded
2001 Toyota / Corolla CE (E114) / Sandrift Metallic. Totalled - Not at Fault.
"My happiness can be measured by my odometer."
@Chibana the series 2 have an a/c condenser guard already, i got a better price by getting the RB oil cooler and A/C screens together, when i took the bumper off i just replaced the stock condenser guard with the RB one. It's a LOT bigger and a lot better quality, just fyi.
__________________
2009 Series 2 Rx-8 GT Crystal White Pearl
-Ingalls Torque Dampner, AEM CAI, AP Resonated Midpipe, Racing Beat Oil Cooler/A/C Screens,
2008 1st Gen Mazdaspeed 3 Sport Sunlight Silver Drowned
2007 Mazda 3 2.3L Hatchback GT Crystal Pearl Mica Sold
2004 Mazda 3 2.3L Hatchback i Crystal Pearl Mica Drowned
1992 Mazda 626 V6 Hunter Green Sold
Thank you for your effort on posting this DIY, Jason. It'll definitely come handy to me when I install mine. I should be ordering them very soon.
Wish I would've ordered them when I first got my R3... Didn't give importance to how much of a beating my oil coolers would've received. Oh well, better late than never.
I'll be sure to perform the cleaning & straightening aspect for sure.
Ordered my screens first thing this past Wednesday morning, and received them late in the afternoon yesterday! Pretty quick shipping from Racing Beat... I became very surprised and excited! The screens look & feel very durable, as well.
The install took me much longer than you guys most probably, primarily because I'm not very experienced at working on cars. Still, I fortunately managed to pull it off somehow, lol.
Received some help (and company) from my teenage neighbor too. I actually really needed his help when it came time to snap back the fog light wiring in place. Connecting the wires back was not the issue, but sliding & snapping it back into the plastic holder (within the bumper) was the challenge. The wiring is not long enough... As far as I noticed. Therefore it was a very tight procedure while holding the bumper as close as possible.
Overall it took some good effort, but I received gratifying results. I'm very satisfied.
Paid $48 + shipping for both the screens, just in case anyone was wondering.
Most importantly, I'm pleased to know that my oil coolers now have that additional protection which was needed.
Oh well, better late than never. 
The screens look & feel very durable, as well. 
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