eBay Alooomineeeum radiator hack UPDATE!

[tzei]

@Mark92131 What pressure cap you got? Factory used 1.4 bar for S14.

[cda951]

I am also leery of cheap aluminum radiators, I have the factory-style Walloth & Nesch upgraded radiator in my 2002tii.

 

However, both of our English patient Lemons Rally cars needed radiators that weren't readily available, and radiator repair shops are almost nonexistent where I live. I got a Champion-brand radiator for our Jensen-Healey roadster, bolted in, has been great for 20K+ miles since 2019 including an epic drive from California to Maine and back. 

 

I found a Champion aluminum radiator for a Chevy Vega with V8 conversion to fit our 1970 Rover P6 3500S, albeit with a bit of persuasion.

 

Champion makes a BMW 2002 radiator, probably worth looking into (need to use electric fan). The company is based in SoCal, but based on the prices the radiators must be made overseas.

 

BMW Radiators (69-74)

WWW.CHAMPIONRADIATORS.COM

 

Edited April 7 by cda951

[Dudeland]

Does the lack of a shroud on the aluminum rads make a difference?  I was thinking of building one, but first I need it on the road. 

 

 

[cda951]

2 hours ago, Dudeland said:

Does the lack of a shroud on the aluminum rads make a difference?  I was thinking of building one, but first I need it on the road. 

 

 

 

A fan shroud is beneficial for directing air through the radiator at idle and low vehicle speeds, but it shouldn't be at the expense of airflow through the entire core at higher speeds. I do not understand why it is so common in the performance aftermarket to offer a huge radiator and then slap on an aluminum fan shroud that blocks airflow through almost half of the core, see attached link for an example. I guess it's ideal for cruising the strip during Hot August Nights . . . .

 

Late-model BMWs and most other modern cars use a shroud with hinged flaps that are closed at idle and low speed, but they get pushed open when driving at highway speeds (and of course all modern cars have movable shutters to entirely block airflow through the radiator for aerodynamic purposes, but that's another story).

 

/images/mini_100/500/555/555-52066K.jpg

JEGS 52066: Aluminum Fan Shroud Kit - JEGS

WWW.JEGS.COM

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Aluminum Fan Shroud Kit

 

Edited April 7 by cda951

[Mark92131]

11 hours ago, tzei said:

What pressure cap you got? Factory used 1.4 bar for S14.

 

It's a 1 Bar.  I'll try to source a 1.4.  Thanks,

 

Mark92131

[Dudeland]

19 hours ago, cda951 said:

 

A fan shroud is beneficial for directing air through the radiator at idle and low vehicle speeds, but it shouldn't be at the expense of airflow through the entire core at higher speeds. I do not understand why it is so common in the performance aftermarket to offer a huge radiator and then slap on an aluminum fan shroud that blocks airflow through almost half of the core, see attached link for an example. I guess it's ideal for cruising the strip during Hot August Nights . . . .

 

Late-model BMWs and most other modern cars use a shroud with hinged flaps that are closed at idle and low speed, but they get pushed open when driving at highway speeds (and of course all modern cars have movable shutters to entirely block airflow through the radiator for aerodynamic purposes, but that's another story).

 

/images/mini_100/500/555/555-52066K.jpg

JEGS 52066: Aluminum Fan Shroud Kit - JEGS

WWW.JEGS.COM

---

Aluminum Fan Shroud Kit

 

That is my feeling as well.  A lot of the shows I watch are in based in the southern states (Cali and Texas) .  Getting stuck in traffic with a 600hpV8 may be an issue there, But not here in the great white north.