brendo

awesome. nice work.

dan, could you please install radiator screens on your car and write it up? better yet, maybe i'll road trip to cali from seattle.

Edgy01

I need to get around to the screens some time, but debate the issue of access versus protection. (If you put in the screens you can't get to what you need to get to easily).

I have thought of a simpler alternative. If you put the screens in, and then make a trap door that can be opened, is hinged to be captive, and then you can get a crevice tool in there to vacuum...

I don't expect any difference from a 997.1 to 997.2 car. When you make manufacturing changes you run the risk of screwing up a good thing. So, design stuff that doesn't require a change to assembly instructions.

Bruce R

Hey Dan

Apart from maybe wanting to keep the car "Concour" ready why did you not delete the bumperettes and give the car a cleaner look?

Hmmm, actually upon reflection it looks like the bumper cover is a unique to the NA market item right?

Edgy01

Over the decades many Porsche owners in North America have opted to eliminate the rear bumperettes, to 'clean up' that area of the car. However, the first time they get into a minor bumper incident they rethink that strategy. The bumperettes are considerably less expensive to replace/repair than the entire rear bumper. This is where DOT did us some good with that design requirement (to keep costs lower on minor fender-benders).

steph280

Oh and I thought the bumperettes can be eliminated simply by removing them. Didn't know there are actual bumper structure underneath. So much for that idea...

Great write up Dan!

henrysko

I absolutely love the cleaner look w/o those things.

My sales guy said it was a pretty involved and expensive mod as I recall. He said all the parts had to be ordered from Germany, then the bumper cover painted @ their shop to match.

I'm really glad it was the original owner that paid the price and not me.

bkcarrera

I recently did the switch out - great GT Silver match by my dealer.
Pretty expensive to gets rid of a couple of bumps and about 10 lbs.
But - it is a great look.

steph280

bkcarrera: Did you actually had to replace the whole bumper to get rid of them? Looks awesome! Still have your old bumper you want to sell?

cbzzoom

I wish the bumperettes were black rubber like the classic Porsches. Then you could bounce them off things without much damage.

_Nathan

Here's why you might not want to remove those bumperettes. This afternoon I was waiting to make a left turn and then BAM!!! Somebody rear ended me. Not a big crash but he did bump me pretty hard. I'll have the dealer look at it but it appears that the damage is limited to one of the bumperettes. Without bumperettes it undoubtedly would be a more expensive repair.

bradyb

If you have a low speed rear-end hit the aluminum posts covered by those crappy-looking plastic pieces will save your exhaust, cats, headers, etc.. The cost difference with and and without will be about $1K vs. $10K - and without you won't be able to drive your car home after the accident.

I suppose this is one time I won't complain about NHTSA standards.....

Sharkys

...or to replace one of the dual horns.

Thanks guys. Dan, I frequent SB and I'm always on the look out for your car. One of these days, I'll see you on the road.

fatfat

great article and thank you very much.

DLennox

Very nice article. I found this while searching for a way to remove the 2 small sections of the rear bumper "spoiler" at the very bottom, right behind the wheels. Is there a way to remove these without removing the whole cover?

Edgy01

I don't think so. Access is difficult, so taking the rear bumper cover off is the only way to do it.