alien_rx7

I'd like to move the radiator forward for more room in the engine bay (no, I am keeping the rotary in there). I was thinking, can the radiator be leaned forward at an angle without reducing the cooling efficiency? (The bottom would remain at the stock position, the top would lean forward).

If I do this or just move the radiator forward a couple of inches, where would I get new radiator hoses since they'd have to be custom length?

rotarygod

iTrader: (1)

If you look at the 3rd gens and the RX-8, their radiators are leaned way forward. The key to making it work good is to have it ducted well. You would need to move the a/c condensor as well.

hornbm

they did it on the second gen too.

alien_rx7

I've seen it on the FC's that I've looked at. Wasn't sure what the aerodynamics are like on the front of the FB if it would work well or not. Might have to add an airdam too to make it effective?

I've already removed all of the A/C stuff including the equipment that was in front of the radiator, so no problems there

What about custom radiator hoses? Where would I get them?

FB II

you can swap in the whole radiator setup from an fc in your fb. there are a few people on here who have done it. i might try it when i get my turbo **** complete. it looks sweet too.

alien_rx7

Now that is interesting. Is it bolt in or need a little bit of persuasion to work? Yup, I like the look and like I mentioned, it opens up space too.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

I'd like to do that too, is a FC setup a bolt in?

J Oliver

I will post a pic of my FB with FC rad leaning fwd.
Looks and works awsoooom.

alien_rx7

Great, can't wait to see the pics!

81Rex6port13b

im bringing this back from the dead because i want so see the pics and im interested whats needed to do this.

frode

This is something I'm looking into too.

alien_rx7

I'm still waiting on pictures too. I went and took a closer look at an FC the other day to see how they are mounted.

It looks as if the radiator mount on the FC is part of the overall frame and cannot be removed without cutting it out. So it looks like some fabrication would have to be done to make it work. I'm still up for doing it, just will take longer.

IanS

iTrader: (4)

I figured I would bump this from way back. I did this so I could possibly see some pics and possibly have someone explain how hard this is to do, what modifications are needed, etc.

rotary emotions

I have an FC rad in mine, but I can't say it was a bolt in. A bit of fabrication was needed, though not much.
Radiators that lean forward (or rearward) tend to cool better because the slow the air down, giving it more time to "soak" the heat up. Some ducting is obviously a plus.

Rx7carl

Steve84GS has that setup in his car. He posted pics not long ago as I recall. Im not sure thats his full username here though.


Oh and

MarkPerez

i'm not dead yet...... yes you are..... i feel like singing..... your dead.... no i'm (bonk)
i never thought he'd shut up.... DONK, bring out your......

it's easy to extend the radiator hoses by using black pvc pipe with hose clamps every where the hose attaches. that would be one long hose that may collaspe
without an insert.

Kentetsu

Okay, so what's actually involved in the mounting of these radiators in the "leaned forward" position. I've seen it, it looks real cool, I want it. I'm due for a new radiator anyway, so "time to upgrade"!

alien_rx7

I haven't done it yet but I have been in the planning stages for a bit. The project should start moving forward after this weekend (going to STL to get the rest of my parts). You will need to have the radiator framing that unbolts from the rest of the car in the front cut at the correct angle and re-bent then bolt it all back in and mount the radiator. Make sure your radiator is clearing the main pulley at the bottom and you'll also need to figure out a way to remount the oil cooler if you have the air-to-oil cooler down there since its mounting points may not exist after the fabrication.

If you're sticking with the clutch fan you'll also have to come up with a shroud since without it you'll run the risk of overheating. I'm going with an electric once I get mine finished, looks better/cleaner anyway.

Not sure about the longer hoses collapsing. I esitmate the hose length will be farely close to the same as that of an FC. I'm also not sure about using PVC piping for hot fluids since either a, it can get soft, and/or b, PVC releases some nasty gases when it is hot that you really shouldn't breath in. I'm going to look for silicone hosing and use short length metal piping joins instead if I can't find a reinforced hose in the length and bends that I need.

rotary emotions

I made a bracket that bolts to the car and holds the rad. Fairly easy, and it moved the rad as far in the nose as I could. Hoses are made with bends cut from FC hoses and straight pieces from stainless steel pipe.

alien_rx7

Heh, I didn't even think of that. Would probably be easier than having the existing framing modded Thanks for the idea!

Supper

Anyone have the dimensions on an FC radiator?

I need to know OAL length, height, width, angle of mount for my current project (see sig).