clokker

iTrader: (2)

( Car is a '91 NA...)

I recently came upon a custom built, all aluminum radiator that could easily be adapted to fit in my car.
The mounting flanges would need a bit of trimming and the inlet/outlet, while in the correct location, don't have our distinctive angles (but are the correct diameter), so I'd have to spend some time finding (or fabricating) hoses but in all major respects this would be a significant upgrade from my current stock unit.

The only real sticking point is the lack of a bung for the heater return hose on the lower (outlet) fitting.

I know I could have a new lower outlet fabricated and welded in- which would also allow for using the stock hose again- but the cost would be more than I'm willing to spend.

So...
Looking at a turbo waterpump housing (which I already pulled from the junkyard for $5), I see there is a fitting at the lower inlet- return line from the turbo unit?- that looks like it would work for the heater hose.
I'd have to reshape the heater hard line that runs up the passenger frame rail but that would be fairly trivial (in the greater scheme of things) and would seem to be an easier solution than messing with the radiator.

Anyone see a problem with this approach?

coxxoc

iTrader: (3)

If you really want that radiator, I can understand why you want to do what you are talking about. Depending on the cost of it, I think you may just be wasting time though. I bought my Koyo for $275 shipped brand new. Everything bolts up as stock there and there is a noticeable difference in cooling ability.

Josh

clokker

iTrader: (2)

Yes, but...
There's nothing wrong with my current setup, the rad was replaced just last year so it's in fine shape and I don't need to do anything.
I can get this alloy unit in exchange for some computer work- I'd have no cash tied up at all.
As a freebie, this makes sense- I'd end up with better cooling and a cool looking radiator for less than a third the cost of the RX specific Koyo (I'm figuring @ 75$ for hoses and misc. hardware).

RETed

The fitting for the turbo water pump is suction.
The fitting on the bottom of the radiator for the heater core is pressure.

No, it will not work.


-Ted

clokker

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the input but I'm confused.
The diagram on page E-3 of the 89-91 FSM shows that fitting on the rad to be the return from the heatercore, so how could it be "pressure"?

To me, it looks like the flowpath is identical, albeit shorter, if using the fitting at the waterpump housing instead of the radiator outlet.