what radiator to use
12-03-2005, 10:55 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Disclaimer: posts made after 11AM are most likely alcohol induced. Please disregard unless very funn
Posts: 2,436
it takes "minor" mods.... hell, my underaged internet girlfriend was able to install one. The Koyo is a good unit.
12-04-2005, 06:34 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 791
Fluidyne is 1.5 times larger than stock and MAY required some minor modifications. ~$425 new
Koyo is 2.0 times larger than stock, WILL definitely require modification. ~$350 new.
There was some talk, unsubstantiated, that the Fluidyne flowed better or was a bit more efficient, but IMO, any small advantage there would be balanced with the extra coolant capacity of the Koyo.
I can't find the link now, but I thought I saw where someone just started producing an all aluminum OEM SIZE replacement radiator. IIRC, about $200.
Koyo is 2.0 times larger than stock, WILL definitely require modification. ~$350 new.
There was some talk, unsubstantiated, that the Fluidyne flowed better or was a bit more efficient, but IMO, any small advantage there would be balanced with the extra coolant capacity of the Koyo.
I can't find the link now, but I thought I saw where someone just started producing an all aluminum OEM SIZE replacement radiator. IIRC, about $200.
12-15-2005, 08:30 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 791
Originally Posted by Lionheart240' post='786704' date='Dec 14 2005, 05:53 PM
Does it lower coolant temps when you upgrade? Or basically just the efficiency OF the radiator...
What are really the advantages to upgrading, besides the obvious weaknesses to the stock unit?
For a relatively stock car, the stock radiator, IMHO, was pretty good. The biggest problem with them now is that they're all 12 years old or more and the plastic end-tanks get weak with age.
I'm really happy with my Fluidyne, which I put on as a precaution. It was a bit pricey, but very good quality and fitment was pretty easy, though not "drop-in" like some have experienced. And my car does run cooler. I've got a Miata thermoswitch but it still takes alot longer for the fans to come on than it did with the stock rad. And recovery after getting into boost is also much quicker.
12-15-2005, 05:54 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Woodstock, Georgia
Posts: 583
Originally Posted by Signal 2' post='786886' date='Dec 15 2005, 09:30 AM
For a relatively stock car, the stock radiator, IMHO, was pretty good. The biggest problem with them now is that they're all 12 years old or more and the plastic end-tanks get weak with age.
I'm really happy with my Fluidyne, which I put on as a precaution. It was a bit pricey, but very good quality and fitment was pretty easy, though not "drop-in" like some have experienced. And my car does run cooler. I've got a Miata thermoswitch but it still takes alot longer for the fans to come on than it did with the stock rad. And recovery after getting into boost is also much quicker.
Ah, "recovery after boost".
That seems like one of the biggest factors.
Slow traffic, and hard runs, it takes a solid 5 minutes of constant 55MPH in 5th gear cruisin' just to bring the temps back down to 180F or so. And you gotta love heatsoak.
What about having, like, two 10" electric fans on the Fluidyne.
My bro had some kind of "aftermarket" switch on his old SR'd 240, that would kick on the fans at a certain temp, and then turn them back off at a certain temp.
Is that the idea by putting in either the FC or Miata thermoswitch?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
j0rd4n
2nd Generation Specific
1
04-01-2007 12:13 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)