APR carbon fiber cooling plate impressions?

[EpicNameBro]

I have this part and the fitment is meh. The quality is pretty good but the part where the hood prop holder goes is off. Not only that some of the holes for the bolts are also off as well. I managed to get it to work after some force and going back and fourth tightening bolts. Not that it was expensive but i'd probably steer clear of any of their other products...

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by midnight23

It extends far past the radiator. I have this piece and the quality and fitment is great, I also have the APR front splitter and the quality on that is top notch as well.

Yes, the point of a "cooling plate" is to direct the air coming through the bumper into the radiator instead of going over the core support into the engine bay. On the twins, the radiator support sits farther forward and the bumper comes right up to it, meaning the "cooling plate" quite literally does nothing for cooling.


Going past the radiator doesn't do anything as that's not why they are used. On something like an NA Miata where the hood seals at the front and not at the radiator support, they actually do something (in fact, Mazda themselves put rubber ones in that most fools remove or lose).


Like I said, it's a bling piece, nothing more.

[cslntuee]

Originally Posted by Pitman

I have ordered one, just waiting for my dealer (Fensport) to get it across from the USA (due next week).

I will post up some pictures and my impressions when I get it.

Any update?
Thanks.

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by cslntuee

Any update?
Thanks.

The fitment was easy enough, and it certainly adds to the 'bling' factor of the engine compartment. As to whether it has any cooling advantage, I have no idea

[daftpunk]

Originally Posted by Pitman

The fitment was easy enough, and it certainly adds to the 'bling' factor of the engine compartment. As to whether it has any cooling advantage, I have no idea

Aesthetically, I think it looks great! I'm considering picking one up.
Compared to the only other cooling plate I know of on the market - the Password:JDM one, this one is better in terms of both looks and value.

I'm hoping someone would make an aluminum or titanium one in the near future.

[Wonderbar]

Due to how our fan/radiator is set up, it serves absolutely no functional purpose.

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by Wonderbar

Due to how our fan/radiator is set up, it serves absolutely no functional purpose.

Is this statement based on true facts and professional knowledge, or just bro-science?

[Carlitoz3]

I like it, I think it would go great with my trd cf strut bar

[Wonderbar]

Originally Posted by Pitman

Is this statement based on true facts and professional knowledge, or just bro-science?

If you have any understanding as to how this works, tie that to a set of eyes and boom.

I'll try to do a short video or photo explanation tonight.

[AZFA20]

Personally I have never had any issues with APR products and consider them among the best in the carbon aftermarket automotive industry. Their wings are pretty much the standard among grassroots racing etc. The fitment on every single piece I have ever put to a car has been literally flawless. This isn't to say there are not problems from time to time but they are also not an ISO certified manufacturing company. These are hand laid peaces and when things are made by hand there are sometimes issues. I have no affiliation with APR at all but I do use and personally own their products with not one single problem to date. I think to consider their products "junk" would be a little harsh although people say things that are often irrational because they themselves had a bad experience. Same with their customer service..... again, never had a problem and they have always been out of their way helpful. It sucks that some have had different experiences with them but I don't think it should be taken as something that happens often for prospective buyers.

Just my 2 cents for those considering their products.

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by Wonderbar

Due to how our fan/radiator is set up, it serves absolutely no functional purpose.

Yep. But look out, people will defend their placebo parts. VV

Originally Posted by Pitman

Is this statement based on true facts and professional knowledge, or just bro-science?

It's a fact that it's doing NOTHING besides adding bling and weight. It's front edge is attached to where the radiator is, when on a true cooling plate, the rear edge would be attached to the radiator to guide the air in. The front of the car does this for us already, there isn't a gap between the radiator support and the bumper cover like on a 240SX, Miata, Supra, etc


Though in reality, even on those cars the effect is minimal if it works at all as the hood is doing the same thing so long as the seals are in place.

[cslntuee]

Originally Posted by Pitman

The fitment was easy enough, and it certainly adds to the 'bling' factor of the engine compartment. As to whether it has any cooling advantage, I have no idea

HI,


My stock hood struts holder cannot hold the stock struts after install
this cooling plate.
Do you have this issue? How do you solve this issue?
Thanks.

[cslntuee]

Originally Posted by EpicNameBro

I have this part and the fitment is meh. The quality is pretty good but the part where the hood prop holder goes is off. Not only that some of the holes for the bolts are also off as well. I managed to get it to work after some force and going back and fourth tightening bolts. Not that it was expensive but i'd probably steer clear of any of their other products...

How did you solve the "hood prop holder goes is off" issue?
Thanks.

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by cslntuee

HI,


My stock hood struts holder cannot hold the stock struts after install
this cooling plate.
Do you have this issue? How do you solve this issue?
Thanks.

I have removed the stock hood prop as I have gas struts, so this was was an issue for issue for me. I just have a blanking plug in the hole for the hood prop holder, which can be seen in my photo above.