Leaves

Not to my knowledge, but its not rocket science (providing you can take the front PU off) to fit some mesh just inside the grilles. Halfords and Demon Tweaks sell a variety of material. I'm going to have it done to my 986 - have already had to replace an aircon condensor (£400 job) because of unwanted bird ingress! Of course, making such modifications will invalidate any Porsche warranty...

Autumn is falling all around me and I was wondering if Porsche make an attachment for preventing leaves getting sucked into the front radiator meshes Image

There's a good DIY in the Member's Technical Articles Section..........

porsche dont to my knowledge but as all of us will attest stones and rubbish making holes in the rads are common and expensive several companies have made bespoke kits look at porscheshop or design 911 and indeed on pistonheads the other day a new company zun sport http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/cma81-cmo110-searchgrill/Porsche/996--911--1997-05/ http://www.zunsport.co.uk/shop.asp there was also a thread on pistonheads which turned into a bit of a rant as to whether you wanted a bespoke kit( ergo you had money to throw away) or you enjoy getting grimey and groveling around in which case you could make up your own with mesh http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=733427&hw=+%2Bporsche+%2Bgrills&nmt=996%20Turbo%20front%20radiator%20mesh%20%28a%20la%20new%20GT3%29 and http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=741341&hw=+%2Bporsche+%2Bgrills&nmt=997%20Bumper%20Grills,%20Black%20or%20Silver?%20Your%20thoughts%20Please. you pays your money......

Thanks for helpful comments, I will get in touch with those you recommend, and ask my Indy whether they can fit .... I want it to look absolutely right. Image

Further update, I have spoken to my Independent specialist, who have done this several times before for clients, and they agree that this is something that Porsche should have done from new, and now do it as standard on the latest models. They do either Silver or Black adonised fiinishes, as the car is Guards Red then Black would prob be my choice. Image

Hi Image your last reply somwhat confused me So I phoned reading porsche to clarify For the 996,porsche only made and make grills for the 996 gt3 and other racing porsches the 997 I have no idea i didnt ask but the guy in retails parts directd me to the aftermarket kits

I have got the car booked in with Parr at Crawley, and will report on the finished job. Does anyone know of any negatives to makiing this mod, apart that is from the spending of money ?

got some 911.co.uk covers coming, will post some pics when i get them fitted[8D]

Done today after a change of compressors and a good clean out and re gas

The red turbo in the above thread is my car. I hope I didn't infer in the thread that if you buy a bespoke kit then you have more money than sense as that was not my intention. I enjoyed doing it myself but understand that it is not for everyone. When I decided I was going to fit mesh there did not seem to be a kit on sale for the turbo. I may well have gone down the kit route if there had been one available. If anyone is considering a DIY on a turbo - it is simple but not quick. Bank on a afternoon I would say as trimming the mesh to the correct size is a bit trail and error. I got a blister from my tin sheers!!! It is nice to know that all the leaves are now not being hoovered up by my car any more!

not a bit of it all I do apologise I was trying to give a distilled synopsis of the thread briefly setting out both camps and their opinions I havent fitted any yet it is on the to do list somewhat more urgent since I have already ahd to repalce the centre rad at 30000 miles However when I do I am firmly in the buy a ready made solution I think the end result will be aesthetically more pleasing It seems nuts to spend so much on a car then b****r around saving 60-70 quid and grovelling on the floor Personally I am waiting for zun sports to make some for the turbo http://www.zunsport.co.uk/product.asp?id=163 but the thread here was about leaves and the PH thread explored that as I finished you pays your money

The zunsport product looks very good. I would consider replacing my homebrew solution if they do indeed start to offer a turbo kit. But at this stage the priority was definitely function over form. I've had a new centre radiator fitted (noting that all the radiators had been replaced already by a former keeper). Looking at the zunsport site I think I should point out that (IMO) if they do indeed develop a turbo kit you will have to remove the bumper to fit them. The existing plastic grilles are clipped to the back of the PU. When the PU is fitted the existing grilles slot into the radiator ducts. The Carrera setup is different (simpler) from what I can tell. Probably why there are plenty of Carrera kits out there but no Turbo kits. And just to clarify, the mesh fitting part was done on the dining room table, so no extra grovelling on the floor than taking off and replacing the PU which will be unavoidable whatever path you choose.

I had to replace a rad in recent days so a subject close to my heart. I ended up getting a rad from ECP. Hella Behr. Cost of labour is the killer. @wealy, where did you source your solution? I think ill be fitting a set soon.

And just to clarify, the mesh fitting part was done on the dining room table, so no extra grovelling on the floor than taking off and replacing the PU which will be unavoidable whatever path you choose. [/quote] oopps!! my big mouth suitably chastened but just to bring you up to speed I phoned zun sport last week they said they had had 6 enquiries re the turbo and were now considering making some I beleive from Richard removing the front pu is not the end of the world there is a technical section re this and would allow you to remove all the leavers and rubbish at the same time

Not trying to chastise at all but just let you and others know what will be involved or unavoidable. The muckiest part is emptying the crude that got in already!!! James Dyson must have had a hand in designing the front end of these cars! PU removal is straight forward and should not prove difficult if you know which way round to hold a screwdriver....!

Hmm I had a try at bumper removal and mesh installation. While the removal bit was easy enough putting it back was very fiddly as the bumper flexes so much and getting a perfect fit was tricky unless you have someone to help, or it could be that I am hopless? [8D]

I didnt mean to stir up a hornets nest just look at ways to remove some leaves, when I posted this item, I am having a pre made kit fitted, using Anodised Black metal mesh, my Independent tells me it is a well made kit and the Black stays on. My only concern now is that it will become totally impossible to clean the rads ... He Ho. Apparently Silver is also available, although Powdercoating with other colours would be easy to do. Will update after 27th Oct when fitting being done. Image

Mike IRL = I bought the mesh from Halfords for 25 quid. I used exactly half of it so if anyone wants to buy the other half off me let me know. The rads came from Behr. It is easy to get teh PU off, but I agree you need a friend to get them back on without scratching. It does not concern me that you can't get the hoover in there now -= as it is quite obvious that the only way to clean these is by taking the PU off. I hoovered mine for about 20 minutes solid and there was still a shovel full of crap in between the rads. So the PU comes off every six months or so........

I said I would update, Went to Parrs today, their technician made a fantastic job, took him 3 hrs. Beautiful Anodised Black Aluminium Alloy. all fitted and guaranteed. Highly recommend. Image

any pics? getting mine fitted tomorrow.

Yes, looking forward to seeing the pics. Also running out of time to get this done as leaves are falling all around at the moment [&:]

My Zun Sport grills in black finish arrived last week [link]http://www.zunsport.co.uk/product.asp?id=163[/link] and I fitted them between rain showers today. Firstly I vacuumed out the leaves and crud from in front of the radiators (I will take the bumper off in the spring to have a good clear out) and then I popped the grills on. The whole job took about 10 minutes - no need to remove the bumper. The instructions were very clear and the quality and fit excellent. Total cost inc. postage and packing was £120 (a bit steep but the grills are really solid and well made).

Tom, those look the business, very professional job.

Expensive--4 pieces carefully engineered,properly finished and they fit well in an awkward aperture-at £30 each-the spare plastic fridge freezer handle I recently had to buy cost £20-no wonder engineering doesn'tpay.[8|]

Point taken

Hi checked with zunsport and they will not have the Turbo kit for some time. So I just wondered if anyone had used the Design 911 Kit (http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/cma81-cmo110-ct351-searchgrill/Porsche/996--911--1997-05/996-TURBO-2000-05/) and if so any comments on quality, fit etc. Otherwise I will have to be off to Halfords for mesh. Eddie

"minny" found these people do them for the 996, although they only list them for the 997 on their web site: [link=http://www.motordrive.com]http://www.motordrive.com[/link] Might be worth giving them a call and seeing if they do a kit for the Turbo. If you do, let us know. [ ]

Pretty sure motordrive use the zunsport produce that I fitted to a friends 997 and is first class and very, very easy to fit. However when I emailed zunsport they said - Many thanks for your enquiry,we are just starting the development of the 996 Turbo, we estimate product will be available End March 2010. Please check our website for product launch nearer the date,we will be looking for a Donor Vehicle to check fit and finish,would you be interested ? We are based in West Midlands. - I really want to fit a kit fairly soon or if not use the mesh stuck to inside of PU method which is why I wondered if anyone had used the Design 911 Kit and if so what the quality was like.