i have a pretty thick koyo on the fairly stock TII motor. still have the stock fan. my temp gauge never reads close to where it should be and my car doesn't run awesome. could my radiator be working "too good" and with the constant flow from the radiator fan, making it hard for my car to reach proper operating temperature?

or is my gauge just off?

 

Did you keep your thermostat? If so, then the radiator shouldn't matter, because the thermostat will regulate the minimum water temp in the engine.

The stock gauge is not linear, and in general it sucks for getting "real" readings.

-b

 

Stop staring at the STOCK gauge and guessing what it should be...
Get an aftermarket water temp gauge and give us a number.
No excuse, cause you can get one for under $50 (i.e. VDO) of good quality.


-Ted

 

s4 or s5? reason i ask is the s5 gauge tends to read more linear instead of "on off" style...

if you didnt change your thermostat, theres a chance it wasnt working great to begin with- adding a huge radiator would only make any minute cooling issues way more visable! as stated above, get an autometer gauge or something, youll be able to tell the temp within +-2 degrees! a temp gauge should be the first thing you buy when modding your turbo, as well as a boost gauge. gotta know what your car is doing ACCURATELY!

 

Okay, I keep reading s4 and s5. I'm new to the rx cult. Please explain?

 

See the FAQ page for this and other information:
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/frequently-asked-questions-2nd-generation-rx-7-faq-fc-494667/

 

U have a S4 because u have a 86 it gose by what year ur rx is. bottom like wrankin said radiator dose not matter its all on the thermosttat.