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Cayman LED Spars with Radiator Guards (fits 2006-2008) Group Buy

184K views 1K replies 182 participants last post by  K-Man S 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
http://www.planet-9.com/gallery/files/3/ledlightbarnews.jpg Eliminate your 2006-2008 Cayman's circa 1995 fog-lights while updating it beyond the Gen 2! Manufactured in the U.S.A. of polypropylene T20 (just like Porsche original equipment), these 2006-2008 Cayman LED Spars with Radiator Guards absorb impacts, and with 100% color impregnation, chipping is eliminated. The wide-angle ultra-high-output LEDs on these spars create greater visibility and yield over 10 years of service. The extra strong polypropylene mesh protects your A/C condensers and radiators while adding a touch of the Porsche GT3 aesthetic.

Providing a truly a plug-n-play installation, anyone capable of replacing a fog-light bulb can install these LED Spars. The water resistant installation is easily reversed to return to the stock configuration. The 2006-2008 Cayman LED Spars with Radiator Guards will ship to you as a pair (driver and passenger side) complete with easy to follow step-by-step instructions and all of the necessary supplies to produce a professional installation. Cayman enthusiast Ken Kushman was one of the first to receive the "First Article"*. His installation, complete with 40 pictures is documented here: LED Spars with Radiator Guards - Articles

This product has a limited one-year warranty against any electronic defect within the LED array (circuit board or component LEDs), the wiring pigtail or its BAX9S connector (which interfaces with the OEM wiring harness). This warranty has no provision for damage due to misuse, modification, impact, accident, collision or failure to follow the waterproofing step as described in step #15 from the supplied installation instructions.

In the unlikely event that one or more LEDs malfunction (out of warranty) or are damaged, replacement LED array assembly complete with circuit board, 15 component LEDs, pigtail, BAX9S connector and installation supplies are available for $49 (per each; plus S&H). We will be happy to provide the labor and potting material to install your replacement LED array assembly. You would assume shipping costs to return a damaged or out of warranty unit to us along with your payment for the replacement LED array.

To take advantage of the group-buy, click here : LED Lightbar Group Buy on Dealbird - Order Here!. Orders will be shipped in the order they are received; first orders in are the first orders shipped!

* "First Article" are parts manufactured prior to the start of production for the purpose of ensuring that the mold is capable of producing a product that will meet specified requirements.

******Please see this topic thread continued for the purposes of showing what buyers have done with their installations, as well as any product revision information:

http://www.planet-9.com/site-vendors-sponsors/77155-2006-2008-cayman-led-spars-radiator-guards.html

Please direct all posts and questions to the new topic thread. Thanks!
:thanks:
 

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#362 ·
Joe - read post 158 but so long ago it was forgotten..so thanks for the review.....

All makes sense......thanks!
 
#366 ·
I will be posting photos of the DRL wiring as soon as I get the spars. However if you can't wait, there are two wires to the washer heaters: black with brown stripe, black with orange stripe. The orange one is +ve, the brown -ve.
 
#368 ·
I pre-ran the wiring today in anticipation of these LED's which I don't have yet haha. I went a little overboard though. I took off the bumper and ran wiring from the left side to the right side where I merged the wires. The remaining single (+ and -) wires were run through the gasket on the front wall of the front tub into the trunk and along the inside of the right side of the tub. I then ran them through the rear tub wall gasket into the battery tray area and tapped them into the right side windshield washer squirter with an inline fuse on the positive wire just for some extra protection.
 
#369 ·
Rsg: I admire your excess... Since I have also pre-wired my DRLs, I award you the Oscar for going totally over the top! Since the heater circuit is already fused, another fuse seems a little unnecessary, and I am able to deliver the power wires to the spars without removing the bumper. And they sit nicely under the plastic that surrounds the frunk and don't run through it. I'm interested to see photos of your layout! Just proves there are many ways to skin the proverbial cat.
 
#373 ·
I will definitely post pictures of how I did it when I get the spars ready for installation. The only reason I chose an inline fuse is because the wire was already there from my previous Philips LED drl installation so I just cut it and used it for my pre-wire on this project. I spent 1.5 hours doing it, but it was therapeutic to be able to take the car cover off and do some work on her while she is still in storage.

I have also cut the connectors off the city lights to attach to the wires I ran for the led spars so that if I ever need to take the bumper off I can disconnect the spars from the connector so I am not stuck in a hard wired situation having to cut or remove the wires should the situation arise.
 
#389 ·
Cayman LED Tail Lights.....



Ra -

Can you share how much the '09 tail lights set you back? Almost afraid to ask......

Were there no issues with the computer not sensing the proper amperage and giving the "tail light out" warning light?

Been thinking of using some incredibly bright LED versions of the 1156 and 1157 bulbs made by Brite-Lites as they are quite stunning on my Harley.....many times brighter than filament bulbs, AND clearly look like LED's using the existing optics of stock reflectors.

www.britelites.com

They come in 1156, 1157, and in white, amber and red. Of course, in the Cayman tail lights they'd all be white except for the amber for the turn-signal.

They are $20 each, so replacing all of the lamps on the rear would be a lot less expensive than going with the '09 lights.

But my question here as well is as they only draw bout 20 milliamps, will they trigger the "lamp out" warning light.

Need to check with the local shop and see if they know.....
 
#377 ·
Dropped my car off at Green Motorsport for the install. I know it's a simple DIY'er but I don't have any time this week to do it and I really did not want to wait another week to install them. Anyway here are some pics. They told me they finished in 15 minutes and very simple to do

 
#387 ·
dropped my car off at green motorsport for the install. I know it's a simple diy'er but i don't have any time this week to do it and i really did not want to wait another week to install them. Anyway here are some pics. They told me they finished in 15 minutes and very simple to do
supercalifragilisticexpialidotious!!!!!
 
#379 ·
Congrats gentlemen. I'm thrilled to see the pictures. Although, I am a bit sad that I am no longer the only guards red CS rocking these puppies! :cheers: Keep the pics coming all!
 
#385 ·
Got my spars, installed them and will post photos for the DRL install tomorrow. My wiring is all good, so you can believe me that the black/orange is positive. I installed plugs at the lights so I can remove them if needed (no hard wiring).
The finish is very nice and I can see that it will go with most colors and most will not require painting. However given my extensive CF theme on my car, I wrapped the spar tops in CF to match the hood and rear spoiler.
The fit is very good, clearly Joe did his design and mock up very well. The spars fit like OEM into the clip slots. VERY NICE.
If you use the standard fitting (not DRLs) this is a very easy install.
I ended up using 7 zip ties just to keep the mesh nice and tight.
More tomorrow.

Thanks Joe!!
 
#386 ·
Hello drPhilGandini,

Thank you for your enthusiastic review and install tips!

I do have one concern though about a developing theme. If the radiator guards are fitting correctly I cannot imagine how any more than two zip ties per side could be used. I only use one per side.

I have a theory on what may be happening. Possibly, immediately after the spar/mesh units were injection molded, and still retaining some heat, they were stacked in such a fashion as to slightly flatten out the spar/mesh unit on its vertical plane.

My suggestion would be to apply heat from a hot hair dryer or heat gun to the area where the mesh meets the spar. Do this before you install the units and apply the heat to both the front and read sides. Then when adequately softened (not melted!!!) form (flex) the mesh inward (toward the rear of the car).

After the part cools, install the spar/mesh and you should find the new position of the mesh to be holding snuggly against OE (original equipment) louvers. Then, install one zip tie in the lower innermost area of the mesh connecting to the lower louver.

This is just my opinion so please feel free to use as many zip-ties as you see fit.

Thanks again!

Joe
 
#388 ·
Joe. The mesh fits well and sits reasonably flush against the louvres. The spars fit SO WELL due to your molding that I wanted the mesh to be tight against the louvres also, hence my multiple zip ties. I could have gotten away with far fewer easily.
I recommend people follow your installation guide, then add ties if they feel it necessary. Mine may be totally unnecessary for sure!
 
#392 ·
Re: Cayman LED Tail Lights.....

Here you are: the DRL wiring How To:

LED spars for gen I Cayman - Articles

...and here's the final look. I know, it's not showing the LEDs lit (others are providing lots of those photos), and it's not head on, but it shows how the LEDs suit the car, and appear fully integrated. Like Joe, I think this is how the Cayman SHOULD have looked!

 
#398 ·
Re: Cayman LED Tail Lights.....

Here you are: the DRL wiring How To:

LED spars for gen I Cayman - Articles

...and here's the final look. I know, it's not showing the LEDs lit (others are providing lots of those photos), and it's not head on, but it shows how the LEDs suit the car, and appear fully integrated. Like Joe, I think this is how the Cayman SHOULD have looked!

Hello drPhilGandini,

Thank you for this excellent tutorial on DRL wiring of the 2006-2008 Cayman LED Spars with Radiator Guards. Great job!

Best regards,

Joe
 
#396 ·
Re: Cayman LED Tail Lights.....

I covered the top of the spars with CF wrap, to match the splitters and the hood:



btw, that's a flash photograph--it would never look that "bright" in real life!
Very nice drPhilGandini! I'd love to see a couple more pictures. Possibly a 3/4 front shot, one with LEDs on and the next, off. Thank you! Joe
 
#397 ·
Re: Cayman LED Tail Lights.....

Another impression from today's drive to work with the new spars: they are visible from the side, due to the curvature of the front bumper. Pretty neat to see them from the side! Although most OEM LEDs are inside enclosures with lots of reflectors and encased in glass or similar (like the new 991, 981 front LEDs) these are barely noticable when unlit, but produce a clean, and almost continuous, line of horizontal light when lit.
They look more like the original LEDs of Audi than the newer LEDs that even come on my wife's Ford Edge (!) Quite distinct, no doubt.
 
#400 ·
Re: Cayman LED Tail Lights.....

Another impression from today's drive to work with the new spars: they are visible from the side, due to the curvature of the front bumper. Pretty neat to see them from the side! Although most OEM LEDs are inside enclosures with lots of reflectors and encased in glass or similar (like the new 991, 981 front LEDs) these are barely noticable when unlit, but produce a clean, and almost continuous, line of horizontal light when lit.
They look more like the original LEDs of Audi than the newer LEDs that even come on my wife's Ford Edge (!) Quite distinct, no doubt.
Hello drPhilGandini,

Among other criteria, I specifically sourced LEDs with a 120 degree wide beam pattern. Coupled with a slight protrusion through the spar, this delivered the desired side angle visibility.

By the way, I think you'll be surprised how many more people will actually exercise lane discipline when you approach from the rear. I think it's a result of being seen sooner due to the brilliance and frequency of the LED light. I analogize it to the way the arc of an welding operation will catch your eye.

Best regards,

Joe
 
#416 · (Edited)
Acosta3211, I think your car looks really great! And seeing it makes me think that someone who paints Joe's spars red on a Guard's Red car is going to have a really cool look too!
My black-on-black just hides both the old weird fog light circles, and the new cool LED spars...8-(

And here is another comparison. OFF



DRL ON:

 
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