[TonyBray]

No, it wasn't autocross or a DE event... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Someone hit a cone on the freeway this morning and tossed it my way. I am now in need of replacing the large black bottom piece that fits between the radiator and the front grill along with the honeycomb/mesh looking stuff that goes across the bottom of the grill area. Do I have any aftermarket options here or is stock all there is? The large black piece is nearly $300 by itself and I don't know what the grill/mesh piece goes for. I'm just wandering if there is anything better looking out there before I buy the stock pieces.



--Tony

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[Darth Vadar]

Bummer! Crap all over the highways, and nobody even tries to dodge it anymore!



The Mesh Grill is $119.03, directly from Porsche and at your local dealer.

Jeff at Sunset Porsche in Portland might do a bit better.



Try GAP in Georgia for the "Underbumper Pan", used...they normally have some 968's on their way out of this world. Or maybe Parts Heaven.



There used to be a fellow making stainless steel mesh grills...but I believe he gave that up. Guess you could make your own, if so inclined. Just get some material you like and use your old grill as a pattern. Cut it out and put some "push on" edging to keep it from cutting anything, and then just use the original screws to hold it in place.

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[flash]

you're pretty screwed on the grille, but as i remember that is only about 80 bucks from sunset



the lower piece can be found - in fact, there is a guy here who just wrecked his cab that had it sitting on top of the car in the shot he posted

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[bob blackwell]

Tony, I got my braided stainless steel grill inserts from Doug foster ("doster" on this site) and they are beautiful and very durable. I had the aluminum inserts from 968 engineering (which are no longer available) and damaged the large piece when I hit a cone at a track event. Doug makes a very sturdy and attractive grill insert for less than the OEM pieces. Other salvage yards that may have the under-bumper piece are Oklahoma Foreign and 20th Street Auto Parts. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[94SilverCab]

I would not reccomend installing a used part. these things are getting old, and most that I have seen look like sh_t.



Either purchase a new one, or use one of the fine aftermarket products available.



Just my $.02



Jay

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[Darryl]

I agree with Jay...most of these used batwing/under bumper covers will be just as beat up or worse...I've found a source on-line (need to confirm) for ~ 280.00. The grille is available from Sunset for $88.96 - part number 944.505.121.00



Tony, hitting a cone is at least much better than dodging a bunch of 2x4s with nails sticking up as I recently had to do in my Sport Trac...luckily only 1 flat instead of all four and it was slow leak at that, not found until a few days later while parked.



- Darryl

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[SuicideHz]

968 engineering no longer makes the aluminum ones? why?



I bought a black one from him last summer. I like it a lot. Better than the every-graying black plastic. My car is black by the way-

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[flash]

he has pretty much moved on and is no longer active in the 968 scene - he said he had other projects and priorities that precluded him from making this stuff anymore



i am contemplating picking up the ball and running with it - i know where to get he material, and i now have a laser cutter and powder coater that can handle the job



the upper grille is a different story, and i haven't figured out if i want to deal with hand molding those yet



it really comes down to quantity - if i thought there were enough people, it makes sense, because i have to do them in batches

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[TonyBray]

All,



I picked up a used "bat wing" from Rustech this weekend. It was in good to excellent shape and the price was right. I didn't replace the grill piece yet but I did secure the center rib for the time being. Quick question though, while I am on the subject of underbody panels... Is there supposed to be another panel aft of the batwing? I know my 944 Turbo had one. I may even have a spare up in the rafters but I don't see it listed in the PET.



--Tony

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[bob blackwell]

Tony, yes there is an additional piece behind the "batwing". When it is installed it must be removed prior to draining the oil. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[pickwick]

[quote name='bob blackwell' post='37171' date='Jun 18 2007, 08:52 AM']When it is installed it must be removed prior to draining the oil. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.[/quote]



Unless you cut a 4" x 1" piece out to make room for the wrench, and use an oil stream deflector out of a milk jug to send the stream below the tray. Then you can change oil without removing it. One of my most useful mods; should've been designed that way from the factory.

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