Just wondering what you guys thought was better to do. I got approved for my loan and I'll be getting my FD soon and of course I'm starting by doing all the reliability checks/mods. As it comes to the AST since I'll only be driving the car 2-3 times per week and it won't be a daily driver is it better to replace the AST with an aluminum one or just bypass it?

 

I'm going to go with the Aluminum AST. I just don't know what brand to get.. If it really matters..

 

Yeah I'm not sure it's just I've talked to a couple of shops that work on them and a couple have said replace it with an aluminum one and then a couple others have told me get the bypass like what M2 makes, so I guess I want to know from people that have actually done it.

 

I have the bypass kit (not installed), but I'm not sure I want to "bypass" the function of the AST.. The AST is in place to extract air pockets from the cooling system. It is necessary because of the angle that the radiator sits. If you had a vertically mounted (relocated) radiator, the bypass would be sufficient, I would think.



To be on the safe side, I'd get an aluminum one. Every FD tuning company in Japan offers an aluminum AST. No one bypasses it. I bought the bypass well before I understood the AST's function, and never installed it.



I would be interested to hear if anyone has successfully used the M2 Bypass with a stock mounted radiator.

 

i like the stock ast's provided that you dont see freezing temps outside, and thats its new. the aluminum asts can corrode around where the car seals.



mike

 

What do you mean, where the car seals?



I think you mean where the cap seals, but I'm not sure.

 

yeah disregard what I said in this post, the more I've read and read it seems that people have had horror stories with bypassing, so I think I'm going to just get the aluminum AST in order to play it safe. I'll just get the new AST and an upgraded radiator more than likely.

 

the bypass cost $35 and the the alum. AST cost $130. So if and when you damage yourengine due to lower coolent level you have a full $95 that you have on the rebuild. :bigok:

 

What do you mean, where the car seals?



I think you mean where the cap seals, but I'm not sure. [/quote]

yeah sorry i meant cap. the proofreaders wish it to be knowz thet thei have been saked



mike

 

my car came with a pettit aluminum AST no problems yet