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Aluminium Radiator
AndyW - 16/9/16 at 04:20 PM

Hi

I have heard lots about increasing cooling by using an ali radiator. I have also heard pro's and con's. So has anyone fitted one and had a noticeable decrease in water temps.

Having just completed my turbo conversion on a 2.0 blacktop she is running rather hot, and didn't want to splash out on an ali rad if the benefits are negligible.

Also I am probably going to fit a different thermostat, where is best to source one as e-bay just brings up the usual one fits all tosh.

Ta

Andy


theduck - 16/9/16 at 04:35 PM

Ive fitted a civic 3 core alloy rad, cowl and fan i bought as a package on ebay. Car would overheat in traffic before bt so far so good with the new stuff on.


ian locostzx9rc2 - 16/9/16 at 04:59 PM

I fitted an Ali rad to my striker as it was a bit marginal on trackdays made a massive difference 10deg cooler never went above 90degs on track after fitting it


rusty nuts - 16/9/16 at 05:20 PM

Water Wetter works well , drops the coolant temperature by up to 20deg


AndyW - 16/9/16 at 05:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
Water Wetter works well , drops the coolant temperature by up to 20deg


I've always been sceptical of such additives, do they really work??


rusty nuts - 16/9/16 at 06:50 PM

I had temperature problems on my old Citroen XM when towing uphill for any great distance as the intercooler was in front of the rad reducing efficiency, Water Wetter dropped the temperature by 20deg . Worked on the Luego as well


AndyW - 16/9/16 at 06:53 PM

Thanks Mel, will give some a go as my inter cooler is in front of my rad.


ian locostzx9rc2 - 16/9/16 at 06:58 PM

The company that I got the rad from was coolex heat transfer they where advertising at stoneliegh kitcar show and where selling through e bay quality was excellent .

[Edited on 16/9/16 by ian locostzx9rc2]

[Edited on 16/9/16 by ian locostzx9rc2]


AndyW - 16/9/16 at 07:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ian locostzx9rc2
The company that I got the rad from was coolex heat transfer they where advertising at stoneliegh kitcar show and where selling through e/mail .


Thanks, just found them on eBay so will check them out.


benchmark51 - 16/9/16 at 08:26 PM

I have done that recently. 3 row aluminium rad for a civic,electric fan sucking through rad, not blowing.87 - 82 degree fan switch, wrapped manifold. Got my rad on Ebay with 2 day delivery. Have constant 90 degree temp at all speeds now. Good price too. See here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272303619269...


lsdweb - 17/9/16 at 03:31 PM

Hi Guys

Have you got a link to that seller?

Ta

Wyn


AndyW - 17/9/16 at 03:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lsdweb
Hi Guys

Have you got a link to that seller?

Ta

Wyn



Try 3ROW ALUMINUM RADIATOR For 1992-2000 Honda CIVIC D15 D16 EK EG / INTEGRA DB DC


lsdweb - 17/9/16 at 05:55 PM

Thanks Andy!


alfas - 18/9/16 at 05:23 PM

its not the material which makes the difference.

check todays rads and old-style (ford) ones:

the fins which increase the surface on old ford rads have a waved style with big gap betwwen
new style rads or old ones form italian cars have very fine fins which even are extreme narrow, massivly increasing the surface.

and thats the secret!!!


Paul Turner - 18/9/16 at 05:47 PM

I have had copper and alloy on my car with the same engine and providing the rad is the correct size the material will make no difference. Car runs at 88 degrees on the gauge with the alloy rad fitted and ran at 88 degrees with a copper one of exactly the same size with the same number of rows. An 88 degree stat is and has always been fitted.

Basically if the car is overheating a change of material is not the solution. Sort out any issues and then fit a radiator of the correct size.


ian locostzx9rc2 - 18/9/16 at 06:53 PM

The Ali rad I fitted in my car was the same width and height but double the depth so increased my rads coolant capacity which sorted my cooling issues


britishtrident - 18/9/16 at 07:26 PM

Improving airflow is the first call --- the air has to get out. Stalled air inside the engine bay increases the air presure behind the rad which reduces the air pressure differential through the radiator core reducing the air velocity and mass flow rate.

Find away to improve the air exit from the engine bay and the temperatures will drop use wool tuffts to check your air vents are actually giving air flow in the expected direction.

[Edited on 18/9/16 by britishtrident]