khoney

Just ordered the radiator/oil cooler protector package from RB. I don't think 81 bucks is too much to pay for something that I know has been engineered to fit properly. Hope it looks good on Titanium!

Go48

Check out the thread at the link below. Go to Page 12, post #180 to see my Titanium with the RB oil cooler grids and my custom made lower grill grid.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ght=oil+cooler

rx8cited

If you bought Racing Beat Oil Cooler screens directly from Racing Beat (not a distributor), they'll sell you the A/C screen for the Oil Cooler + A/C Screen package price of $81 less the amount you paid for the Oil Cooler Screens. S/H is extra.

You must call and speak to Brian Compton @ Racing Beat, Inc. (714) 779-8677.

Offer subject to change.

PS: I'm not affiliated with Racing Beat, just passing along this good deal info.

khoney

Just received my oil cooler/ radiator screen combo from RB. Very well made - I think it's worth $81 for peace of mind. Hopefully I'll have time to install this weekend. I'll make sure to take pictures.

khoney

Just finished the install - it wasn't too bad, although there were a few problem areas (I always seem to run into problems, even on the simplest job). Racing Beat's instructions could be improved quite a bit. For instance, they say to remove the fasteners attaching the bumper to the fender well using a philips screwdriver. What they don't tell you is exactly how those fasteners come off. Thanks to some posts by another member, I learned how to do it. A word of caution - if you've had your car for a long time, the clips may not come off easily, and the plastic heads strip very easily. BE PATIENT! The way to do it is to turn the inner part of the fastener 1/4 turn counter-clockwise while holding the outer ring in place with your fingers.

Another area where the instuctions sucked was in how to remove the corner lights. There is a plastic clip holding the light on, and it doesn't say how to maneuver the clip to get the light off. I broke my clip trying to get the first one off, but fortunately it is only in there for assembly-line purposes. See the photo for how that clip is shaped.

I like the end result, and I think it's worth the money - my oil coolers and radiator were already pretty banged up in spots. If nothing else, the oil cooler screens look a lot better than the bare coolers.

First pic - the top clips being removed - I got a flat blade screwdriver on each side of them and pried them up.

2nd pic - The corner light assembly. That is the left one - what you need to do is push that retaining clip forward to pull out the assembly. I couldn't tell how it worked until it was already off. Don't worry too much if it breaks - there is a screw that holds on the assembly (goes in from the bottom).

3rd pic - radiator prior to installing the screen.

4th pic - Radiator screen installed.

5th pic - Slose-up of attachment method. They give you brackets to attach the sreen to - the screen is held out about 1/2 to 3/4 inch from the radiator, so a decent sized object could hit it and it would still provide protection.

khoney

1st pic - Close-up of oil cooler screen installed. It just slides in behind a molded rubber piece.

2nd pic - Bumper off.

3rd pic - all done.

Go48

Nice job! Good pics too. I went for the oil cooler grilles too, but at the time the A/C condensor grilles were not available so I fabricated a grille for the lower opening on the nose (see the pic below).

On a drive in the country last fall I drove through a couple of "clouds" of leaves blowing about in the strong winds. The next time I stopped, which was shortly after that fortunately, I saw that the lower opening on the front nose was completely blocked by leaves that were packed in the opening. Since then I keep an eye on the opening and frequently remove debris from there. The opening seems to suck up anything that comes near it just like a vacuum cleaner.

I'll be in trouble if anything substantial gets through my grille because the only way to remove it would be to take the nose off again. I have done that twice before so I could probably do it in the dark, but I'd rather not.

JM1FE

I just installed the Racing Beat oil cooler/condenser screens as well. I was very pleased with the quality of the parts and the ease of installation.

The RB instructions that shipped with the kit were pretty good, but, like others have said, they leave out some useful tips. For example, removing the condenser bolts to attach the screen standoffs actually requires a wrench (spanner), since a socket can't get to where the bolt is. Next time I do this (on my own car, not my girlfriend's) I'll document it with photos and post a PDF of the HowTo procedure in the DIY section.

Two foglight-related notes:
1. You have to squeeze the clip on top of the PLUG while you pull it off of the foglight bulb connector. It's damn near impossible to see what to do to figure it out if you don't have this little nugget of information.

2. Do not forget to plug them in again before you get the whole thing put back together. It's a PITA to reach the back of the lamps & try to orient a plug otherwise....

The only thing this screen doesn't protect against is getting objects up in the 'scoop' (leaves, stray plastic bags, etc.). There were several dings on the condenser fins already (~5000mi on the car), so this was a much-overdue mod.

mdmaclean

I really like the way these look on Ti Grey, just ordered mine! The photo's you guys have posted look great!

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

maclean, I installed my screens last week and noticed that RB sends along the wrong bolts to use with the hardware. I e-mailed them to ask if they would like the part number from the manufacturer of the specified bolt for use with the Tinnerman clips they provide but they weren't interested. The bolts they send will work to hold the A/C screen just fine, if you like having to torque them the whole length. I work for Ford and my job uses the clips and bolts I am speaking of. Would you like me to send you, for free, the proper bolts to use? They are also Zinc-coated to prevent rust.

If there is anyone else interested in using the proper bolts for the screens I would be happy to extend the same offer to you, as well. P.M. me your address and I'll mail them asap.

CRH

DreRX8

I don't see why you couldn't buy the 2nd one anyway and place it in that location.

bureau13

I'm not sure how you would mount it. There's a rubber "boot" around the oil cooler itself and the screen slides into that. It doesn't mount to the nose or frame of the car in any other way.

jds

Tony Orlando

Dang Charles, that was a little harsh..... RB problems? :D

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Tony, I ask that you re-read my post and tell me where I was harsh with Racing Beat. All I did was point out my credentials with regard to the parts in question and the fact that Racing Beat were not interested in my assistance with procuring the right part. I installed my own screens and offered an easier way to do it and I'll even give you the right parts and ship them for free.

I have no problems with Racing Beat. How could I? The two Jims and Chris Cortez, when he worked there, have always be cool with me.

One more thing for those who are about to install their own screens-rather than use the soap-and-slide method to install the oil screens it is easier to remove the rubber shrouds, place the screens behind the shrouds, and snap the shrouds back in place. The pins that hold the wheelwells on are also used on the oil cooler shrouds.

CRH

TCReedy1

I just did the screens yesterday, removed the front bumper and replaced it. Took about 35 mins to remove and about 20 to replace. It was easy. The Racing Beat screens look sweet in there. The only fiddly part was disconnecting the wiring to the fog lights, but after a persistent 5 mins of fumbling with the connectors I had it no problem. Only tools needed are a short-stubby phillips screwdriver, a decent pocket knife to gently prise out the button head clips and a flashlight. The screens come with pretty good instructions on bumper removal.

Good luck. Tom

DreRX8

Really--I didn't know that--for auto owners it would be better to fabricate a screen than buy Racing Beats then.

SDB

Have you guys been painting the screens. I purchased all three and I think that the oil cooler screens will look better in black with my Nordic Green car. It looks like the radiator screen won't even be seen so I can skip painting that.

Any good or bad results painting?

ethernetgeek

I spray painted the oil cooler screens(two coats) but not the A/C condenser screen. No problems thus far.

You have to practically get on the ground and look for the A/C condenser screen so I didn't see the point in painting it.

-Gary

MassiveAttack

Wow, I'm down for the parts . I was about to buy a -- get this -- fireplace screen on clearance at Wal-Mart and crib the metal from that. I should be able to get enough material to make something for the AC condenser this way.

I'm not sure what you mean about putting the screens behind the shrouds and then snapping them back on--are you saying this can be done w/o removing the bumper cover?

--Massive

ethernetgeek

You still have to remove the front bumper, but once you do that the shrouds have the fasteners like inside the ones inside the wheelwell. If you remove those, you can fold the oil cooler shroud down and just place the screen in rather than having to lube it up and slide it in through the side.

In the attached picture, you can make out the fasteners on the top of the shroud. They protrude down in front of the oil cooler. They help hold the screen on at the top.

-Gary

BearTrap

I got the RB grills (A/C and oil). The screens look great on titanium and grey, but I have a white car and thought I'd get the oil screens powdercoated black because I'm not sure the stainless would look good. Opening the package, I found they have that rubber seal so I can't powdercoat them (or can I?). What spray paint would be the best choice for durability? Any whites out there with pictures of the oil cooler screens to share that might change my mind?

BearTrap

Bump... Any ideas?

grinn253

I'm not too concerned over the grills appearance, moreso their functionality. I left the oil cooler/AC condensor screens unpainted and think they look fine.

Laters,
Edgardo

Hou-TX-RX-8

I have both the A/C screen as well as the oil coolers. Fit perfect and quality construction. I got the A/C one because Brillo has already replaced his A/C condensor because of a rock hit. Not under warrenty.. $600.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

I bet the choice whether to paint the screens, or not, is in the same ballpark as replacing the corner lights with clear lenses. Merely individual. I tend to like the steel color and the colored corners.

CRH