Hello for Jake

[Lil bastard]

Allen, I know this is for Jake, but adding the 3rd radiator is pretty simple and straightforward. You just add it in between the 2 standard radiators. Btw, the 3rd radiator is standard on the 'S' and not exclusive to Tip S cars only.

The advantages are more cooling surface and greater capacity of the cooling system.

The problem is that you'd need to either replace your bumper cover to the 'S' type which already has the cutout for the 3rd radiator (incl. having it painted if you bought new), or you'd need to cut-out your existing bumper cover, then fit either the 'S' type grill or make one of your own.

The Tip S already has an oil-to-coolant cooler installed. While there are benefits, I'm not sure they are significant enough to outweigh the cost involved. The Tip S is a pretty reliable unit with very few reported failures as is. The key to a healthy Tip S is to change the fluid (Esso LT 71141 ONLY) and filter every 45k mi.

[Allen K. Littlefield]

Thanks Lil'B, my confusion is in that the Frere information seems to state that the center radiator is to cool the TIP only. Your observation is that it adds cooling to the overall system that includes the two outside radiators if I am reading you right? Adding a different GT-3 or S bumper wouldn't or shouldn't be too much of a bear. Do you know what the cost of the plumbing and radiator would cost? Has anybody else done a retro fit of one of these center radiators?

AKL

[TriGem2k]

Allen here is the complete kit for you...

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=996thirdradia&Category_Code=996WaterCooling

I am looking at doing this myself on my 2.7l as well. I have the GT3 front bumper and would only need to cut out the middle section .

[Allen K. Littlefield]

Thanks, I checked it out and it said it would not fit a car with TIP tranny. Hmmm!

AKL

[Gary Gaukler]

Originally Posted by Allen K. Littlefield

Thanks Lil'B, my confusion is in that the Frere information seems to state that the center radiator is to cool the TIP only.
AKL

Frere's book supplies misinformation on this point. The third radiator is present in all S models, regardless of transmission type.

His book on the 911 models is vastly superior; the Boxster book is a disappointment, unfortunately.

Gary