I never really considered getting a cooling plate for my car because its basically just for looks, but i came across this piece from coastal metals thats only $25 compared to the $120-$200+ alum and carbon JDM cooling plates. im wondering first if there is a difference and second if anyone has tried the $25 and how they liked it. i know some people complain about fitment of the plates, i was wondering about this one. let me know. thanks.

 

I can only tell you about my cooling plate, which is a carbon fiber Carbing piece that is absolutely gorgeous. The fit could not be better if it was made by Honda, and it looks amazing.... I have never heard of coastal metals, or seen or used their products, so I have no idea how to compare the two but with the mods you have on your car right now, some of which were very pricey, why not pay an extra $100 for a part to know that it will fit correctly?

The only thing I could really say to check is to eyeball the coastal metal piece and see if it would leave adequate room for the hood latch to connect with the hood -- you don't want to have to slam your hood (and possibly break it) over a $25 cooling panel.

 

Who said that the cooling plate is only for the looks!?

For your information J's Racing CF cooling plate decrease in general water temperature by 4-5 degrees Celcius in the overall field/zone temperature, because the air flow is not escaping towards the engine bay. It goes all the way to the radiator.

But you are right, it is a bling item as well and I love it!

 

sorry for the dumb question but does 4-5degrees celcius equate to about 40 degrees F? so it seems like the cusco and carbing and j's are nice pieces. ill look into those instead. thanks.

 

5C = 41F exactly

 

im leaning towards the 1. carbing 2.cusco, i found a good price for the carbing but the aut design cought my eye as it seems that it sends air into the airbox better than the two alum plates would, but i prefer the look of the alum plates(not really a cf fan). what do you guys think is best? thanks.

 

I have the ARC one and I give it a . Had the Signal one before it and the fitment was not as good. The signal one was cheaper though.

50/50 a little bit of function and a little bit of bling

 

They all do the same thing besides for ones like AUT which direct air into the stock box as well.
The only variance is material (looks), and fitment.
My AUT is Carbon, and fits perfect and looks amazing (I am running a stock box).

Coastal Metals does make nice stuff... I had their grill kit on my AP1 bumper and it fit perfectly and was of high quality.

 

how many people have fitment issues with the carbing plate. i dont want to buy the TI plate because its $$. i just dont want a product that rubs on the hood or fits poorly. what do you think?

 

I have seen a bunch of different cooling plates and almost all of them rub a little. The AUT, Carbing, ARC and Garage defend plates were among the best looking ones I have seen as far as fitment is concerned.

Just remember when you put it on to take of the stock metal plate that is under the weather stripping on the bumper (I think it was under, but it may have been on top) I forgot to take it off and it took a couple of minutes for me to figure out why it was not fitting