GT3 Center Radiator Upgrade

Has anyone installed a GT3 Center Radiator Upgrade. With the heat in Sacramento and tracking my car, I would like to add this to my 01 C4.

Probably going to have one isntalled at the same time my RUF RGT kit gets installed next week. Have you shopped for prices?

I've heard you can get it from Callas Rennsport (LA,CA) which sells it as a kit, complete for $435. You can reach them at [phone removed]. It runs in series with the two side mounted radiators to provide additional cooling for the engine. It on my to-do list also. Loren (99 996)

C4FDR, since you are around the Sacramento area are you planning to track at Thunderhill? I'm attending the DE event May 5th. Be nice to see other 996's out there. Regards. Mike

I was at Thunderhill in March. I'm not scheduled for May but will be there June 26th. My exhaust upgrade was done for March event and the car roared. I can't wait to track the car with the B&M short shifter.

The B&M shifter is best bang for the buck in my mind and on the track it really glows. Very precise and seamless. I had misshifted on the track with the stock but not anymore with the addition of the B&M. I have to check and see if june 26th would work under my schedule but hopefully I can since I say it's never enough track times in a year for me : ). I been thinking about center radiator too and just cooling the engine more may also perform better especially in hot weather. Regards. Mike

How involved is the GT3 kit to install? It's not that hot at Watkins Glen and Lime Rock, but would it be worth it to put one in? Do you have to worry about not getting up to temperature when it gets cool in the winter? Thanks

If a $435 kit does the trick (and for short races, it should), that is the answer. If, however, you want a considerably better and lighter solution, albeit far more expensive, but it being a fully professional solution, I might be able to help.

its not such a big problem to fit,I fitted one in my garage at home, on my 98 boxster when i fitted the 996 motor and 6spd.u need the radiator hoses, the radiator itself the top and bottom bracket that mounts it and the airscoop pls send a photo and then i can see what front is fitted to your car . the interesting thing is that all the mounting points are already attached to the front of the car you just need to bolt it on . its nice to get all the mounting screws and captive washes as well to make a nice job of it. [email removed] greg <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Better engine cooling... Turn off the A/C and roll down the windows.

I would ilke to revisit the topic of a GT3 center radiator upgrade for my 01 C4. I'm in Sacramento and it gets hot. I have seen my car get to the center mark between 180 and 250 (215) and once or twice a little higher. I would like to hear from anyone that has installed a GT3 center radiator kit. Callas Motorsports puts together a kit with Porsche parts and supplies it to Performance and then they add instructions and the plastic ducting for a tiptronic bumper. The mounting points are built into the body and all grommets and bolts are also included. Thanks

I just did this and created an install page. You can find all the details <a href="http://web.dsldesigns.com/~ljcook/radiator/" target="_blank">here </a> I got my kit from Gert at <a href="http://www.carnewal.com" target="_blank">Carnewal.com</a> Let me know if you have any questions.

I am planning on this 3rd radiator kit install as well. Just an FYI, there is a front trim/scoop that makes the installation look "clean" and funnels the air into the radiator without space around the edges. That is not included in the $465 price at Callas. Some kits do include it, it is a factory piece. I believe Callas said it was an additional $75-$100.

[quote]Originally posted by Stem: <strong>How involved is the GT3 kit to install? It's not that hot at Watkins Glen and Lime Rock, but would it be worth it to put one in? Do you have to worry about not getting up to temperature when it gets cool in the winter?</strong><hr></blockquote> This is a fix for a problem. If you don't have the problem (higher temps) then you don't need the fix. Putting the third radiator will increase the weight of the car so there is a cost to adding this. So wait until you actually see high temps before you add the radiator. And even then, if the maximum is very small I still wouldn't do it. Only if you are occasionally seeing high temps. The water thermostat regulates the temperature of the water. This closes whenever necessary to maintain sufficient temperature so you won't see lower temps with or without the third radiator. S.

[quote]Putting the third radiator will increase the weight of the car so there is a cost to adding this.<hr></blockquote> Sorry, this just is not true. The weight of the raditor is at most 1 pound (it is all aluminum). The hoses are a 1 to 1 replacement. And you remove the rubber plug in the bumper cover which reduces weight. I guess their is the added weight of the addional 2 liters or so of coolant... but doesn't your gasoline also have weight. IMHO there are a lot more things on our cars that really do add weight without a performance benefit (i.e. stereo systems, power or heated seats, etc., etc., etc.). Not to mention having the driver lose some weight

[quote]Originally posted by C4FDR: <strong>I would ilke to revisit the topic of a GT3 center radiator upgrade for my 01 C4. I'm in Sacramento and it gets hot. I have seen my car get to the center mark between 180 and 250 (215) and once or twice a little higher. I would like to hear from anyone that has installed a GT3 center radiator kit. </strong><hr></blockquote> I had the Callas kit installed several years ago. I've tracked my car at various DEs here in the Mid-Atlantic for two summers, running in ambient temps that were close to 100 and track temps at least 20-30 degrees higher than that. I originally put it in to get rid of the intermitent water temp flashing light when on the track. I subsequently found out that the light was being caused by a poorly designed catch tank and cap, so I had them replaced under warranty. While the 3rd radiator didn't solve my original problem, I've never seen water temps above 215 on the track, even on the hottest days. I installed it in an aerokit front bumper, so I didn't need any extra ductwork to route air. I just had to remove the center drill blank that comes installed on the factory aerokit, as in Loren's picture. I also had grills installed in the aerokit bumper to protect the center and side radiators. Karl

[quote]Originally posted by Loren: <strong>The weight of the raditor is at most 1 pound (it is all aluminum). The hoses are a 1 to 1 replacement. And you remove the rubber plug in the bumper cover which reduces weight. I guess their is the added weight of the addional 2 liters or so of coolant... but doesn't your gasoline also have weight. IMHO there are a lot more things on our cars that really do add weight without a performance benefit (i.e. stereo systems, power or heated seats, etc., etc., etc.). Not to mention having the driver lose some weight </strong><hr></blockquote> I don't have the facts so cannot argue with you point for point. Water is about 6 lb. per gallon. Antifreeze is a little heavier but not much. So 4 lb. extra which is pretty impressive! There is also the additional drag but i have no idea how much that would cost either. On weight in general, it all adds up (including the fuel in my tank which is, I presume, why my tank is so damned small). As for putting me on a diet ... not a bad idea!! Can't remember the last successful overweight Grand Prix driver. The point is, it might only be 1 lb. here and 2 lb. there but it does add up. Saving weight is all about shaving these small extra weights. I think my advice is still valid advice. Do it if you need to and don't if you don't. S.