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While upgrading radiator, anything else worth changing?

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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 06:25 AM
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While upgrading radiator, anything else worth changing?

Hi guys,

I am just about to buy a new Fluidyne radiator and aluminum AST. I was thinking about buying new OEM upper and lower radiator hoses. But besides those 2 huge hoses, what other hoses should I replace?

Also before I take out the stock radiator, I want to flush the entire system. I read on one either the ciriani or robinette site that I should also use an aluminum safe coolant system cleaner. Is there a particular brand name of cleaner that I should look for?

TIA
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 06:54 AM
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2 turbo coolant hoses, thermostat, eliminate AST..did I mention the 2 turbo coolant hoses?
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 08:14 AM
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I'd do ever coolant line under the hood, but I'm a little too paranoid
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 09:07 AM
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Originally posted by kyle@insight
I'd do ever coolant line under the hood, but I'm a little too paranoid
Unless the motor is out of the car, that's not a very fun task, Kyle .
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 09:32 AM
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Originally posted by GoodfellaFD3S
Unless the motor is out of the car, that's not a very fun task, Kyle .
I thought the one behind the intake manifold that goes to the throttle body is is a bear to get at. I've struggled with several of those bad boys until I broke down and bought some long needle nose hose pliers with a curved tip.

Hey Rich, I hope you get the hell outta there really soon - Rumsfeld was talking yesterday that they might have to send in MORE troops to keep the peace. ****.

Thanks to all the guys over there for a job well done.
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 10:09 AM
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you might look into getting evans waterless npg+ coolant instead of your green stuff . here is the link to their website.

Matt
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 11:15 AM
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I got my fluidyne from altered atmosphere for $400.

Here's a link:

http://www.alteredatmosphere.com/ContactUs.asp

I wouldn't worry about any special cleaner. Just flush everything with distilled water.
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 11:59 AM
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Originally posted by RonKMiller
Hey Rich, I hope you get the hell outta there really soon - Rumsfeld was talking yesterday that they might have to send in MORE troops to keep the peace. ****.

Thanks to all the guys over there for a job well done.
Thanks Ron, I appreciate it man .

I'm trying my damnest to get home---the war is over and I did my part.....they need to bring in more "peacekeepers" that weren't involved in the war.

take care man,
Rich
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 12:08 PM
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AN easy improvement is to replace the 5 bladed fan with another 4 bladed fan The dealer cost is about $ 34 . The 4 blade fan flows more air .
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 12:21 PM
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From: planet arium
im gonna say heater hose!
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 12:26 PM
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yeah do the fan stuff. you could also do some more reliability mods while your at it.
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 12:33 PM
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Originally posted by DrPJM1
2 turbo coolant hoses, thermostat, eliminate AST..did I mention the 2 turbo coolant hoses?
if you have some time in your hands then replace the collant hose to and from the throttle body, and the one on the right of the air pump... this requires you to remove the intake elbow, tb, and uim tho
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 01:05 PM
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Garfinkle removes the throttle body coolant hoses and the hot wax rod parts. He pipe plugs the hole in the water pump housing where the nipple was and the hole on the rear housing . This removes 3 hoses and 1 metal tube,6 hose clamps .A plate covers the hot wax rod holes for a clean look . All of the cars start good cold and idle good cold. The tb does not need hot water for deiceing , there is no water jacket around it anyway . The compressed air (boost ) is warm any way .
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 02:24 PM
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Originally posted by GoodfellaFD3S
Unless the motor is out of the car, that's not a very fun task, Kyle .
Requires discipline and patience, grasshoppa.
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 02:41 PM
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flushing the system is a good idea but troublesome and may not be a big deal since you are replacing the radiator anyway. most of the build up that causes problems would be in the radiator. one problem i had with my koyo is it came with a bad radiator plug. apparenlty it is three pieces and it began to leak. you may want to save your OEM radiator plug, im not sure if it fits fluidyne though. if you got the time you may want to make radiator air ducts.
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 04:12 PM
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At the least, do the upper and lower radiator hoses and your thermostat.
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 04:24 PM
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Another good cooling mod to do is replace the Fan thermoswitch w/ one from a MIATA - turns fans on at 208f insted of 221f
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 08:19 PM
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Originally posted by adam c
I got my fluidyne from altered atmosphere for $400.

Here's a link:

http://www.alteredatmosphere.com/ContactUs.asp

I wouldn't worry about any special cleaner. Just flush everything with distilled water.
Thanks for the link, the reason I want to flush out the system is cause I dont know what type of water the previous owner(s) have been using. Even if I did know, I would not want to take their word for it. I just wanted to clean out any deposits that may have formed from using tap water.


potatochobit, the reason I wanted to flush it with the stock radiator still on there, is so that the inside of the stock unit can get a good cleaning too. That way If I need to sell the stock radiator, I can at least say that it hs been cleaned.

and thanks to everyone else that has thrown in their 2 cents worth. I will definately look into replacing some of the things you guys have mentioned.

thanks
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 09:31 PM
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Originally posted by duboisr
AN easy improvement is to replace the 5 bladed fan with another 4 bladed fan The dealer cost is about $ 34 . The 4 blade fan flows more air .
Aren't the fans different to keep the sound down?
I don't think it would make hardly any difference but I'm just wondering why 2 different ones. Don't tell me for weight savings lol.
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Old Jul 15, 2003 | 11:08 PM
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The 4 blade pulls more air than the 5 ,that simple . No sound issues as of yet . Several cars done .
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Old Jul 16, 2003 | 07:45 AM
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Ok here is a list of stuff I will be buying/replacing (hose list courtesy of the ciriani site).

-Fluidyne radiator
-Tri-point AST

-OEM Thermostat
-OEM Water pump
-N350-18-840 Miata Thermoswitch
-Spade connectors (to splic into the Miata thermoswitch)

-15-202 (x2) rubber grommets
-15-207 drain **** (just incase)

N3A1-15-186A Upper radiator
N3A1-15-185A Lower radiator
N3A1-15-183A AST in
N3A1-15-184A AST out
N3A1-13-681 Throttle body in
N3A1-13-691 Throttle body out
N3A1-13-692A Throttle body out to water pump housing
N3A1-13-53X Turbocharger in
N3A1-13-54X Turbocharger out
FD01-61-211A Heater core in
FD01-61-214B Heater core in
FD01-61-212A Heater core out
FD01-61-213B Heater core out


I think that about covers it. I just dont want to have to make a trip to the auto parts store. I dont want to end up finding out halfway through the install that I need a part that I have to order through the dealership. And those guys NEVER have anything in stock for RX7.
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Old Jul 16, 2003 | 09:58 AM
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I for one thank you for posting your shopping list. You'll save me a lot of time when I do the same work.

Dave
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Old Jul 25, 2003 | 07:50 AM
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ignore this post.
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Old Jul 25, 2003 | 08:28 AM
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The fluidyne comes with a drain fitting that hangs way down. If I had it to do over, I would have replaced it with a pipe plug. It just look to vulnerable to a curb strike.
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Old Jul 25, 2003 | 08:53 AM
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From: Where there's only two seasons, hot and wet! I love Okinawa
Originally posted by duboisr
AN easy improvement is to replace the 5 bladed fan with another 4 bladed fan The dealer cost is about $ 34 . The 4 blade fan flows more air .
BULLSHIT. The reason you have a 5 blade and a 4 blade fan? Simple. It's called NOISE....if you use 2 of the same fan(two 4 blade or two 5 blade) the fans will "pulse" at the same time...creating more noise.

Try it...
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