r0tor

iTrader: (1)

I wish someone would really produce a mesh kit for the oil coolers that attaches to the back of the bumper (unlike RB). Man my oil coolers are starting to look rough.

...i tried making one for my old probe and actually wound up scarthcing the bejesus out or it trying to fit it so I'm pretty reluctant to try it again.

D MENAC 7

I'm in the process of doing that very soon. It will attach to the fog light strakes, though. Only Fog Light Strakes will be available first then when I have that going, I will work on one for the RX-8s that have no fog lights..

ranger4277

Just mount the mesh to the oil cooler shroud mounting tabs (2 on the top, one on the bottom). Use somewhat pliable mesh so you can bend 90 degree lips on the top and bottom to screw the mesh into the holes in the tabs and you're set. If you measure it out right you'll have about 1/4" clearance between the cooler and the mesh, and the mesh will slip behind the fog lamp and not need trimming. I had this arrangement for months (have MS front now) and it worked great. The mesh was taut and everything just bounced off. I used black aluminum mesh from a craft store. The potential downside to this is you must remove the front bumper to install it, but it isn't THAT hard. I posted instructions once in the oil cooler thread and a couple photos.

You don't need to buy a solution for this when it is very simple to do yourself. Chances are doing it yourself will be a better solution anyway.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

D MENAC 7 - definately give me a heads up when your done (I have fog lights)

ranger4277 - I know they are not that hard to do... like I tried to say above (just noticed the really bad spelling) last time I did them it just didn't look right and I ended up messing my car up pretty good building the prototype. Plus I don't have mush free time on my hands anymore.

bumper removal - I've been there and done that already to install the front air dam

Tony Orlando

There are already stanchions on the back of the bumper aurrounding the oil cooler openings. All you need to do is cut some mesh, then use self-tapping screws with washers to attach it. The result looks like this:

D MENAC 7

Yeah, I have found the two that are there, they attach the top part of the grille just fine but there isn't really a good place to attach the bottom part to. The other problem with those mounting points is that they do not line up with the rear of the fog light. This means you get the rough screening line that is at the edge of the lamp as you can see in your picture, this makes it appear unfinished in that area. Otherwise it is tucked away behind the front cover. What I am going to attempt to do is fabricate something that will finish that side of the mounting edge and possibly frame the rear part of the nose while allowing the attachment of the screening material.

tokenbrit

You would have thought that somebody would be making this by now. There IS a market for replacement grille's and oil cooler covers (as there aren't any of these ).
Anybody know of any manufacturers that are doing this?

D MENAC 7

In the very process of designing and soon to be producing right now. I would estimate about a month or so for the front grille and maybe 2 weeks for the oil cooler screen and front fog light strakes. Waiting for molding material to come in later this week to get the process of finshed design and test model going.

tokenbrit

Cool. I assume you are going to use some kind of powder back steel mesh (similiar to the Mazdaspeed grille? ). Have you thought about doing replacement side vents to match too? :p
Please keep me updated. I am sure you are onto a winning product if the demand is as great as this forum might suggest. :D

D MENAC 7

I am thinking that an eventual redesign of the side vent to something similar to this is in order. Either this with screening or without. As far as the screening goes, my plans are to offer black aluminum or leave it as a bright aluminum. I'm a fan of aluminum screening since there is no worry about rusting. Stainless steel would be nice but it is too expensive.

davefzr

Hey Adrian or anyone..... Do you have the MazdaSpeed front fender? If so.. why does it look different than this one...



I noticed that your car has an opening underneath the front fender where the stock rotary symbol is but in the picture I posted that is not there...

Why is it different?

thankx...

adrian-1

I do not have the mazdaspeed front bumper. Mine is the stock bumper with the Ks-autio burnout front lip.

davefzr

uhhh.. that would explain it..

thankx