Hey - this is my second post working on getting some education about the NRG snorkel + APR cooling plate mod I am working on setting up. Most snorkel install threads I've read, namely xviper's, explain that the OEM Radiator shield should be cut to make way for the snorkel. If I get the APR cooling plate, can I simply remove the OEM part altogether and save it for reinstallation should I want to reverse my work??? Or do the two pieces serve different functions. Thanks everyone.

 

"the pieces" being the oem radiator shield part, and the apr cooling plate

 

If you get the radiator plate, it is recommended to remove the OEM "pieces. Take it out when you put in the snorkel and radiator plate.

 

thanks for the quick response spanky: so, for clarity everyone: would doing both of these setups at the same time be REPETITIVE??? (serve the same function):





thanks. also, here is xviper's old thread about the install. i've seen lots of pictures with snorkels installed where the OEM part was removed, but the thread explains this can decrease the radiator's cooling efficiency. thanks again.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...ic=118787&st=0

 

First, I would say that the two plates do not do the same thing. The OEM plate keeps pressure on the radiator, the aftermarket plate keeps hot air from coming over the top of the air box and in a way works like the OEM, and the snorkel is pulling air in from in front of the car. Personally, if you have a snorkel, you don't need an aftermarket cooling plate per say.

Some people say you should remove the whole OEM plate, but I don't think you should as it serves a purpose. Its designed to keep air pressure up in front of tha radiator - without it you have a bigger cavity and lower pressure in front of the radiator, so removing the OEM plate reduces radiator effeciency.

If I were you I'd cut the passenger side for the snorkel, and leave the rest of the OEM in place. That will get you all the air flow you want into the air box, keep the OEM plate working for the radiator, and also give you the top plate for looks.

 

The OEM air-guide piece is designed to keep the air moving through the radiator instead of over it and escaping. The APR cooling plate serves the same purpose somewhat as the OEM air-guide. I could be mistaken but I would take out the air-guide instead of hacking it up for the snorkel.

 

OT, Spanky is that your car in your sig? Looks sharp!

 

ok guys - slightly altered quesiton: turns out the first picture above is exactly what i am buying from a seller, both the NRG snorkel and the custom altered OEM radiator guard pictured. here then are my options:

1. Remove my current gaurd, replace it with the one pictured above and put the cooling plate on top of it all (use both a guard and a plate).

2. Remove my current gaurd, install the cooling plate and attempt to sell the guard pictured above (use just a plate).

almost the same question as before, but now neither option involves tearing up my existing guard, which maybe yields different answers. the basic question is, when you use an aftermarket cooling plate, should you still use the OEM radiator guard, or should you remove it? thanks for your help everybody.

 

I completely removed the radiator guard when I installed my Spoon snorkel + APR plate and didn't look back.

As for your questions, I would probably just remove your guard and install the cooling plate. Trust me, once you attempt to remove your guard by twisting and contorting its awkward shape out of the tiny crevice/opening from your bumper, you're not going to want to re-install another one. I doubt that you would, anyhow. It's a real pain in the ass and the lower bolts are quite difficult to reach. You'll know what I mean when you get to the install.

But that radiator guard looks like it was tailored well for the snorkel, and if you would like to reinstall it just so you can have the comfort of having your stock piece replaced, you can by all means. I however doubt you're going to notice a difference (if any) with or without the air-guide/guard.

 

Thanks!