Question About Modifying A Radiator
 

If you look in the pic below you'll see that I have a Griffin rad that attaches the upper rad hose on the opposite side to stock. I was thinking about having a rad shop change that to the stock side. I was wondering whether I am going to be creating some flow issues in the rad or whether it would be fine. Sorry about the small pic.

Thanks in advance

its possible flow issues may arise...but i would guess no

which side is the lower hose on?
and is there enough area on the end tanks to permit switching the inlet to the other side?

Lower inlet is as stock and I have enough room for a new inlet on top.

Here is a better pic of the rad.

it should be fine, i mean you're just putting it back in the stock location (even though its an aftermarket rad) it shouldn't affect the flow at all...
but I would for sure ask the rad guy before he actually cuts that sucker off because there may be baffles in the end tanks that may cause flow issuses but if that all seems ok, id say go for it

Thanks I'll look into it.

That radiator has side tanks, so you have to have one connection on each side. The only way round that is to cut open the tank with the connections and put a divider in it to turn it into a 2-pass radiator. The stock radiator has top and bottom tanks so the connections can be at one end. Why not just leave it as is is?

BTW, put your fan shroud back on. You're seriously reducing the fan's cooling capacity running without it.

You have a cross flow radiator. The stock ones are down flow. If you put the inlet on the passenger side, the flow will go from there, straight down the tank and back into the engine. In other words, it won't cool.

Either live with it or replace it with the proper one.

I am removing this rad from the car in the pic to my TII. I am adding a FMIC to the TII and therefore will want a better rad as well.

I don't like the way the coolant hose will have to run across the top of the shroud. Trying to keep it clean and uncluttered. I'll probably sell the rad and pickup a Koyo, shame though since it is a great product. It kept the car cool without the shroud.

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just a little more hose than you like. Buy a colored hose and call it bling! anyway the hot water being pumped away from the hot motor is not effected by a long return (top) hose. Just so long as the longer hose does not inhibit flow from the water pump, i.e. too many corners may "throttle" your flow.

I wouldn't sell my Griffin Rad just for the bling appeal of having the inlet and outlet on the same side.

Just get a nice SS rad hose, like the previous poster suggested. I have one ;)

Even very accomplished welders have difficulty dealing with the Griffin epoxy. I wouldn't mess with it. If you want a different configuration, it would be more prudent to simply order a custom Griffin radiator and sell your current radiator.

Hey Evil, post a pic of your set up.

There are several series of Griffin radiators. You may want to give them a call to see what would work best with your configuration and intended use for the car. Series explanation here:
http://www.curtsrodandcustom.com/griffin.html

I am a different "Evil", but my custom Griffin radiator also has the inlet and outlet on the same side.
https://www.rx7club.com/vbgarage.php?do=view&id=340

Most of the pre-made Griffin radiators that you see in RX-7's are actually Mustang replacement radiators, which explains the strange radiator hose configuration.

Very nice car and set up Mr. Aviator. The rad I have is actually a pre-made chevy unit but was a very good size and at the time a great price. I guess I will look into the aftermarket top hoses and hopefully I can grow to love it.

I wanted to get those Clear hoses from Home Depot. I think it would be cool looking...don't know why. The reason I have not done it is. I am not sure of the Temp rating of the hose I was looking at. I was not sure of the pressure rating either. If that hose is nylon it won't work


......ok flame away

EvilAviator has too much bling, I can't compete :)

http://www.teamfc3s.org/forum/member...hp?img_id=7119

So Evilrotor did you just turn the thermostat housing around to point in that direction or did it require modification? I'm too lazy too go outside and pop my hood!

Actually, it looks like you flipped it around and shortened it so that the Griffin Rad cap is at the highest point of the system. If so, I may be rippng off your style.

The thermostat housing/filler neck was cut and re-welded facing towards the other side.

I think, that when I re-route my FMIC outlet piping on the driver's side, that I will go back to a stock neck, and just run an s-shaped SS rad hose (similar to your routing).

You can also get flexible hoses that have a spiralled metal peice insides which hold the tube open when they are bent to prevent crimping. I bought a Howe rad that I've yet to install, but to get it to work in my car I bought two flexi hoses and a peice of pipe to connect the two hoses in the middle. The hoses will then be clamped onto the pipe. I went to Canadian Tire, described what I was looking for, they brought out several different sizes and I selected the ones I wanted.