Zunsport grilles for 981 Cayman/Boxster

[Maxym]

I've just had the grilles fitted to my Cayman GTS - and very cool they look too (as well as keeping cr*p away from the radiators).

I noticed subsequently that the oil temp was a few degrees higher - say 109/110 deg as opposed to something like 105/107. Could be due to the grilles (after all, the mesh would reduce the airflow a bit)? Anyone else noticed this? Worth worrying about?

[Twinfan]

You must be running in 'Normal' for those temps? Mine in Sport, with grilles, runs around 90. I've had them from almost new though so I can't say if they affected the running temperature.

[Maxym]

Yes, 'normal'. Why would 'Sport' make a difference?

[Twinfan]

The oil temp is maintained lower in Sport mode. I think it's something to do with keeping the engine cooler under harder use.

Can't see how the grilles would affect things as the car will compensate once the temperature hits the cut-off level.

[cypriot]

I noticed no difference when I installed the grilles. I also see a temp of around 90 when in sport mode.

[paralla]

Map-controlled thermostat

The thermostat is an insertion map-controlled thermostat with a heating element.
The electric heating element of the map-controlled thermostat is energized via the
DME control unit. The flow of current through the heating element (electric resistor)
causes it to heat up, which in turn influences the expansion element in the thermostat and enables it to be opened. Actuation by the DME control unit is performed by means of pulse width modulation (between 2.5 and 97.5%), which means that the coolant temperature level can be continuously controlled.

The usual coolant temperature is 221° F (105° C) when the engine is at operating temperature; it is reduced to 185° F (85° C) during sporty driving and in
Sport/Sport Plus mode by opening (energizing) the thermostat. This supports a
performance-oriented driving style.

The DME control unit can also have the thermostat closed by switching off the
heating current. A precondition for this is a coolant temperature of less than 216° F
(102° C). The map-controlled thermostat starts to open at 216° F (102° C)
+/- 4° F (2° C) when de-energized and is fully open at 239° F (115° C).

The coolant temperature is measured by the engine coolant temperature sensor and
the radiator outlet coolant temperature sensor and transmitted to the DME control unit.

[DJMC]

@paralla - you seem to be talking about "coolant" i.e. water temp whereas the OP is discussing oil temp?

My water temp stays at 90 whilst oil temp stays at 105 (normal mode). This is both before and after fitting Zunsport grilles to the front of my 981 2.7. The GTS has different air intakes though, so this may make a difference.

Incidentally OPC Sutton Coldfield told me the Zunsports would not affect warranty.
Peter, MD at Zunsport, told me they would not affect cooling ability either.

[Dreds]

I've had the grilles installed on my CGTS since 2000miles. I noticed no difference in oil temp before and after fitting. In the last 6 months I've done 6000miles and when in Sport the oil temp stays at 90 when in traffic and up to 100 when on the open road. The car runs at least 10 degrees warmer when in normal mode.

[paralla]

The rads behind the grills are air to coolant so they are kind of relevant to the discussion.

There is a coolant-oil heat exchanger on the engine. The engine oil is heated/cooled by this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201694128894?clk_rvr_id=...

If you are not seeing higher coolant temperatures there is no reason you should see higher engine oil temperature.

[Maxym]

Thanks guys. I've been in 'Normal'; I'll see what happens in 'Sport'.

The oil in my 997 C2 used to be more or less rock-steady at 90. When I switched to a Cayman S I was surprised - and a bit worried that the oil temp was 10-15 deg higher. But I find my Mk 7 Golf GTI runs its oil about the same, so I'm guessing that sort of temp is nothing unusual.

[Ozzie Osmond]

I notice the website says the side grilles are for "PDK cars without sensors". Perhaps that's significant?

https://www.carnoisseur.com/products/details/zunsp...

[Maxym]

Ozzie Osmond said:

I notice the website says the side grilles are for "PDK cars without sensors". Perhaps that's significant?

https://www.carnoisseur.com/products/details/zunsp...

I dunno what sensors they mean. I've just got the front grille set, which actually serves a purpose. The side ones - which I'm not keen on - are for adornment only.

[paralla]

Maxym said:

I dunno what sensors they mean. I've just got the front grille set, which actually serves a purpose. The side ones - which I'm not keen on - are for adornment only.

They are talking about parking sensors. The grills are different depending if you have front parking sensors or not.

I fitted them to a 981 S but got sick of removing them all the time to clean out the crud that still made its way past the grills and collected at the bottom of the radiators potentially rotting them. Binned them eventually as the fitment was such a palaver I couldn't be bothered. Preferred easy access to clean the gunk out every time I washed the car rather than hardly ever when I could be arsed to remove the grills

[Twinfan]

Each to their own, I'd rather have them there to stop a rad getting holed. The openings on a GTS are bloody massive!

[Ozzie Osmond]

Maxym said:

The side ones - which I'm not keen on - are for adornment only.

Not at all! It's autumn - and there's nothing more annoying than the leaves which get sucked in the side and make loud ticking noises in the fans.

[DJMC]

Yep, I've had the ticking leaf thing, so had the sides too...





Also had a narrow escape when I passed a truck carrying wood and a piece fell off. When I arrived home I found a 5" pointed "stake" wedged into the Zunsport grille on the n/s intake. No damage to rad or to grille's plastic coating.

I only went to Zunsport for the rears, to cover the exhaust boxes, but when they jacked the front of the car up to eye level and I saw the damage after just one year I felt I ought to get the fronts too...

Edited by DJMC on Friday 4th November 18:31

[Red 5]

I just have GTS fronts.

[alanshaw]

Red 5 said:

I just have GTS fronts.

Now that looks really smart ..... Red/gloss black

[Red 5]

alanshaw said:

Red 5 said:

I just have GTS fronts.

Now that looks really smart ..... Red/gloss black

Thanks, I think so too! The bottom of the mirrors, window surrounds, side vents and rear diffuser are all gloss, instead of the naked plastic. That'll be just another £600 odd then

Protection from the grills aside, I think the car looks more finished.