[shoot summ]

I recognized the need to protect the radiators, and the side intakes on our 718BS. Decided to pull the trigger on the full kit from the Radiator Grill Store. Comms from them were great regarding the status of the order, and shipping was fast.

I'll start with the front radiator protectors, the install was super easy and fast, the only criticism I can come up with is the guards are loose at the bottom, and a large object at speed could potentially push them back, but I suspect that it would not hit the radiators.

On the side protectors I watched the video on the site, seemed easy enough. Popped one side out, and according to the video the protector should sit in the intake opening while the trim is reinstalled. Well not on my car, turned into a royal PITA trying to hold the screen in place and re-install the trim. Finally got the driver's side in and I wasn't really happy with the appearance. The screen wasn't flush with the trim, sat back a little, and didn't look that great. Now I will admit I am picky, and for a $90K+ list price car there is a certain standard that I think is reasonable, and a big gap wasn't it. To be fair to RGS I get that every car is going to be different, so I'm not being critical of them, just didn't like the way it looked. So I took it out, and decided to adhere the protectors to the trim. Took a little judicious massaging with a small hammer to refine the edge bends around the trim, and some well placed globs of adhesive. I like the final result much better, the protectors are tight to the trim, and look like the belong there, versus something I added later.

So in all I am happy with them, but be preprared if you are picky like me, the install may be more than just drop in.

 

[MLJJ]

This should probably go in the "What you did to your P car" so the adm or mods can move. I used the RGS fronts on my base and they were a total pita for me. I'm glad someone found them easy to install. You need good light and nimble fingers to fish the zip ties from inside even though I taped together as previously recommended. I didn't buy the precut side intakes from RGS so order my screen and custom cut to fit. No problem with installation. The hardest part was getting the passenger side intake off. The front and intake screens are tight and I'm happy with the outcome.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

I installed the RGS side grills and the Zunsport fronts. I like the mesh on the RGS grills better than the Zunsport, but didn't want to be zip tying anything to the car. The Zunsport grills are easy to install and fit very well. They are cleverly designed to hook behind the fascia and stay in place. The side intake grills from RGS look great and are also easy to fit. I really think these are necessary items and they should just be OEM IMO

 

[shoot summ]

This should probably go in the "What you did to your P car" so the adm or mods can move. I used the RGS fronts on my base and they were a total pita for me. I'm glad someone found them easy to install. You need good light and nimble fingers to fish the zip ties from inside even though I taped together as previously recommended. I didn't buy the precut side intakes from RGS so order my screen and custom cut to fit. No problem with installation. The hardest part was getting the passenger side intake off. The front and intake screens are tight and I'm happy with the outcome.

I wasn't sure where to put it, exterior seemed logical to me.

I guess what we are seeing is that all of these cars are a little different, that's why hopefully this didn't come off as a ding to RGS, just a heads up for expectations that YMMV on fit.

Not sure why you had an issue with the fronts, took me a couple of looks to make sure I had the correct grill for each side as it isn't blatantly obvious. I slid them in, the ties lined up nicely, only had to fish one of them with a small pair of needle nose pliers. As I would get one area close I would loop the tie for that one so it couldn't move too far, got all for looped, gradually tightened them all down, then slid the "nub" on the tie to the bottom/back of the strake and clipped the excess.

The sides were the total PITA for me...

 

[JazzCatGab]

I installed the RGS side grills and the Zunsport fronts. I like the mesh on the RGS grills better than the Zunsport, but didn't want to be zip tying anything to the car. The Zunsport grills are easy to install and fit very well. They are cleverly designed to hook behind the fascia and stay in place. The side intake grills from RGS look great and are also easy to fit. I really think these are necessary items and they should just be OEM IMO

I did the exact combo, but with a base Cayman. With mostly the same experience, but then, I also had the same issue with the RGS side grills as did @shoot summ with the drivers side. The passenger side was as easy as in the video, though I did put it on the intake piece before placing it in its position.

 

[SonicSid]

The sides were the total PITA for me...

Same here, had a devil of a time trying to get the side grill trim fully snapped back in. I actually had an easier time removing and reinstalling the rocker panels (for painting, not the right way to install RGS grills). The RGS grills were not a perfect molded fit for me either, but I figured for the money, meh, good enough and I ignore it (too anxious to just jump in and drive). Nonetheless, my radiators were previously full of way too much gunk and the RGS grills will go a long way in reducing my cleaning intervals.

 

[Viffermike]

Just FYI: This is the correct subforum for this content. It's an exterior mod.
If this were posted in the 'What I did today' thread, it would be more difficult to find and not topical. That tread is meant to be more general and lighthearted in nature.

 

[shoot summ]

Just FYI: This is the correct subforum for this content. It's an exterior mod.
If this were posted in the 'What I did today' thread, it would be more difficult to find and not topical. That tread is meant to be more general and lighthearted in nature.

Thanks, that made sense when I selected the subforum, and I wanted it to be a stand alone thread. Obviously @MLJJ didn't think so, glad I wasn't out of line.

 

[MLJJ]

There seems to be quite a bit of external mods (including grill guards) discussed on the What Did You Do subforum. If this subforum is best location for those sorts of discussions the mods or admin should move all of those here so we know where to find. Much appreciated.

 

[shoot summ]

There seems to be quite a bit of external mods (including grill guards) discussed on the What Did You Do subforum. If this subforum is best location for those sorts of discussions the mods or admin should move all of those here so we know where to find. Much appreciated.

The mods do move threads when appropriate, I think they do a great job, that's why I let them do their work.

They've weighed in on this discussion, really no further point to make here is there?

 

[Viffermike]

There seems to be quite a bit of external mods (including grill guards) discussed on the What Did You Do subforum. If this subforum is best location for those sorts of discussions the mods or admin should move all of those here so we know where to find. Much appreciated.

There's a difference between "I installed This today, and I love it' and 'I installed This today, and here are some notes about how it went and my initial impressions about This.'

There's also a limit to how much, and how invasive, policing should be as a Mod. I'm personally loathe to break up a thread such as the 'What I Did Today' one because it's purpose, to me, is evident. It's not topical. It's basically a fan diary. I'm not too keen on the idea of watering that down.

Furthermore, it's Forum members' primary responsibility to understand how the Forum is organized, for the benefit of all users past, present, and future. I can -- and do -- help in that regard by moving threads to more appropriate subforums (especially ones in the General subforum). But threads get derailed all the time, and when that happens I personally don't subscribe to micromanaging that thread unless the initial topic at hand is totally being ignored. The 'What I Did Today' thread is a catchall thread by its nature; micromanaging it is, IMHO, not even necessary.

 

[MLJJ]

Awesome! Noted.

 

[ArchiProf]

I am about to purchase the two front grill pieces from the RGS and am wondering for those of your who have installed these, how are they holding up over time given the use of zip ties?

 

[shoot summ]

I am about to purchase the two front grill pieces from the RGS and am wondering for those of your who have installed these, how are they holding up over time given the use of zip ties?

No issues with mine.

Not 100% happy with the side intake grills still..

 

[GregW]

I am about to purchase the two front grill pieces from the RGS and am wondering for those of your who have installed these, how are they holding up over time given the use of zip ties?

My home-made front and side grills are held on with zip ties and are fine after 2 years.

 

[lsturbointeg]

new to Porsche just looking at the things people have done. that said this is a mod i will be doing but came across how this could void the warranty on the vehicle? is this something you guys have heard of? now just debating whether to go Zun or RGS?

 

[JazzCatGab]

I think that is more of a European rumor. In the states, it would only be a problem if protecting your radiators could be proved harmful to the radiators and would affect only the warranty as it applied to the radiators.

 

[Grozk17]

Those of you who have installed the RGS front grills-were you happy with the fit? I installed one side and the bottom is not really attached. It sets a bit back from the bottom of the solid portion of the horizontal slats which seems to be a portal for debris to enter and become trapped. I am a bit unsatisfied with the fit. Any insights from those who have them?

 

[Treemagnet]

Those of you who have installed the RGS front grills-were you happy with the fit? I installed one side and the bottom is not really attached. It sets a bit back from the bottom of the solid portion of the horizontal slats which seems to be a portal for debris to enter and become trapped. I am a bit unsatisfied with the fit. Any insights from those who have them?

Hadn't really looked until now...seems we have the same issue. I find it effectively impossible see the 1/4 inch gap (between the bumper and grill), without using my Petzl headlamp. Regardless, the gap can be viewed from a sharp angle above at a very close distance. This means the grill should protect the radiators against projectiles, such as stones and pebbles; however, as @Grozk17 opines, objects can and probably will become trapped in the space between the grill and radiator.

In addition, I found the top of the driver's side RGS side intake vent grill (installed at the same time) moved, leaving approximately 1/4 inch open at the top of the intake vent. This issue was easy to see without the Petzl. I repositioned the grill and will report on whether it remains in position after more usage.

Based on the above, I am currently less than satisfied with our RGS grills and, in hindsight, would have purchased a different manufacturer's product.

 

[Grozk17]

To add a bit more information, I have the base cayman which has the bottom horizontal slat blocked off by a plastic insert. Now I was unaware of any difference in the front grills (other than the GTS) on the 718 but apparently the “S” is not blocked on the bottom slat. This difference was/is known by RSG but they do not alter their grill inserts to compensate. Their response to me when I questioned them was: “we concave the grill insert so it can be used on the base”. Almost a bit of “bait and switch” IMHO, but I maybe overreacting. The bottom line for me is that I am not happy with the fit or the response. I am quite sure with the space left at the bottom due to the inability for the grill insert to completely snug up against the slat that debris will find its way in and then be trapped.

So I am left with a few choices: (a) send the grills back (b) fabricate my own (c) buy the Zunsport (d) try to remove the plastic insert on the bottom slat (which I am at a loss to explain why Porsche put it there...)-this latter option will likely involve removing the bumper or at a minimum the splash shield and fender liner. The insert is clipped in on the slat but I cannot see the attachment at the bottom. RGS did offer 15% off if I keep the inserts...