DIY: Oil Cooler Screens
 

Ok, I'm an idiot. When I ordered screens from Racing Beat I just never considered that they were charging $25 for a single screen. Outrageous price for a piece of screen. I'm glad I didn't need it. I went back and read the order page and I just missed the statement that you need to order two. I think them showing pictures of a pair of screens is misleading.

I had already done the job myself with some SS screen I got from work before that screen arrived. I think my installation is better because I have the screen suspended at least 1" in front of the cooler and am not relying on the small amount of concave bend to absorb the shock of impact.

I saw a comment that someone posted thinking that screens were not needed on the S2. Not true. I only have 15,000 miles on my 09 and there was already plenty of damage. Straightening took a lot longer than the rest of the job.

The stock A/C screen seems to be doing the job though as I saw zero damage on the condenser coil.

Anyone want to buy a screen?

Can you post a picture of what yours look like to compare to the RB ones?

Yea they are a little pricey and the "2 screens" pic they had on their site fooled me as well. It is pretty easy to just make yourself but you have to figure out a good place to mount the mesh to make sure it doesn't come off. It just seemed easier to me to buy pre-made screens that already fit fine. The only problem I have with the RB screens is it gives you that mesh look but it does not cover the whole area, almost looks cheap at some angles.

I think you read a comment about the AC screen not being needed for the S2's which is true. I would love to see some pictures of what you made, post them.

if you dont like them then dont buy them.
no need to bash their products and make those of us who bought the screens look like idiots.

congrats on creating a DIY thread that doesn't have anything remotely close to a DIY, just your lack of reading comprehension

Sorry about the bugs.

I drilled 4 holes in the plastic shroud around the oil cooler. I placed them roughly in the 4 corners about halfway out from the cooler. The placement isn't critical. The bumper connection to the shroud is so open that the tie wraps used to hold the screen won't interfere.

I attached the top edge first and then used wire cutters to loosely follow the outline of the shroud opening. Cutting the wire is the hardest part. After a quick shot of flat black it was done.

30 minutes from start to finish.

so your DIY requires a drill, some material from work, and that's cheaper?:wavey:
let alone the poor fitment and kinda saggy looking material.
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1280354665
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1280354516

Be a troll all you like. You just need a drill to make holes for the tie wraps. If you read other threads they say the RB screens won't stay in without drilling holes and adding tie wraps. I also see complaints that the RB screens don't cover the entire opening.

I'm happy with my installation and no one is going to take the bumper off or get on their knees to see any slight defects.

Yes, my installation is a LOT cheaper than their $50 screens, and didn't I start my original post by STATING that I didn't read their web site close enough?

Just an FYI for anyone else looking for information in the future:::::


Running for over a year, no tie wraps used, no holes drilled, installed in seconds, super snug fit with enough space between grill and cooler. Also covers entire opening. See 2 posts above @ jasonrxeight's images for reference, mine looks exactly the same.

Rb screens cover almost the whole opening but there are some small gaps like you can see in the above picture. It doesnt really make a difference though, they still look great.

I am not dissing people who like to DIY. I think its a good thing to DIY if you like.
this thread couldve been a good one if you didnt say blah blah item is way too expensive for what its worth.
for your project, I would need a 30ft extension cord to run from my apartment to downstairs, a drill to drill a hole, and a role of mesh I only need to use a tiny bit of it.
so overall, I decided it would be cheaper just to buy RB ones.

I figured every DIY person on the planet had a cordless drill by now.

I bought just the amount of screen I needed for a couple of dollars.

The DIY for oil cooler screens was first posted in July 2003......

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-oil-cooler-opening-mesh-grille-replacement-8147/

Enjoy!

sadly I dont. I do all the work on my BMW but never used a drill.
I do have three torque wrenches for from small bolts to lug nuts..:lol: