AST Elimination
 

Where can I buy a kit to remove the AST tank or what are the costs of a good aluminum replacement? What's the pro's/con's of keeping or removing the tank?

I was told by a very very good rotary mechanic that
it is not recommended to remove the AST,
replacing it is better.

Only real reason to remove it is when you get a big fat
intercooler, and dont need one anymore.

go find whatever ast you want, as long as it's new,
doesnt even have to be aluminum! a new plastic one
would probably last a long while. But of course, metal will
prolly last forever.

This is kind of a long term debate similar to the smic verus fmic debates. I say get a upgraded ast like Pettit. This allows you cooling system to hold more coolant than if you remove the ast.

Also i have no idea why a big IC would have ANY bearing on keeping/removing/upgrading the AST????? The ast and IC are completely different and one has no bearing on the other.

The www.rx7store.net probably has the best price for a Pettit ast

Later,

ah i dont remember why he said an ic could remove the
need for an ast, i think maybe it was to get more room or something? but i dont remember exactly.

just thats wut he said.

When you install an IC, you lose the mounting spot for the stock AST. So, you can choose to eliminate it or create a new mount. Eliminating it is a lot easier, so that is what people often do.

I have run my car for quite some time without an AST, but I am thinking of adding one to perhaps improve the cooling system -- every little bit helps.

-Max

oohhhh, you just mean that when you upgrade the IC you loose you mounting spot. I thought you meant that the IC somehow did something that made the ast no longer necessary. Mechanically the ast and IC have nothing to do with eachother.

I would keep the ast, the cooling sys is already a weak point of the car and when you remove the ast you loose valuable coolant storage space.

Later,

Just for the record I eliminated my AST to try it out . . . I'll be watching my temps . . .

I eliminated my AST about 6k miles and 10 months ago. Car's run fine during this time, including a stint on VIR. I believe that the AST replace versus elim debate has as many non-factual viewpoints as the synthetic versus dyno oil debate. My suggestion - pick one side and just stick with it!!

Thanks for the help guys :)

I'm going to replace it and get an aluminum one. I don't see any good reason to remove it.

As someone else mention'd, the Pettit Racing ones are very nice.

Cost little over a bill for one.

ive removed mine with no ill effects i know of...but
heres my question......why did mazda put it on only the fd? t2 all 2nd gens and first gens dot have them...anyone know if the rx-8 will?

Maybe they put it on because they thought it could use the extra coolant?