Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

No, it fit fine. The biggest pain was reattaching the oil cooler, but that's because someone had made these hokey brackets for it before I got the car. They were just really awkward to get back on. You may need to make similar brackets.. depends on what you got the car with.

Other than that all we had to do was enlarge a couple of the radiator mount holes on one side and use the existing brackets on the other side. I already had brackets because my '2 had a RX-4 radiator I believe it was, and the core size is exactly the same as the FB one. BTW it's a 3 core radiator so it should be enough but I'm running just a stock port 12A with straight exhaust.

We also installed an electric fan & thermoswitch which took up some time, but overall it was a success. Now I need to tinker with the thrermoswitch so it comes on at the right time. I did notice it puts quite a drain on my FB 55 amp alternator.. has anyone put something bigger on their RX-2? I'm thinking a 70 amp or higher might be in my future. What are 2nd gen. alternators amp-wise?

Also, I got my radiator from radiator.com, $140 shipped and it was there the next day.. basically if you do a search online you have to put in 79-81 RX-7 to get the 11x22" radiators.. anything higher than 81 yields the 16+" tall radiator -- at least that's what I found on 3-4 different radiator websites.

Thanks,
Mike

trainwreck517

iTrader: (1)

alright, thanks for the info, ordered a rad and should have it here tomorrow, so will install it tomorrow night. Its a 3 core coper rad. So will see if that keeps the temps down. Thanks for the info.

Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

Cool, let me know how it goes. Also, one tip: get a plug of some type for the hole in the top of the radiator. I guess normally the FBs have a coolant level sensor here, but the new radiator doesn't come with any plugs (at least mine didn't). I ended up wasting like an hour searching for a brass plug for the thing.. it's 12x1.25 and nobody had it. I tried 2 auto parts places and 2 hardware stores. Finally ended up putting a steel oil drain plug in as it's the right size & thread pitch.. seems to have worked OK, so far no issues.

I also just bought a curved lower radiator hose as my old flex hose was leaking a little from the back side. I will probably have to trim it a little but I think it will fit better than the one I have on there right now. That flex stuff is really hard to bend into a "S" shape.. heh

Mike

xrotaryguy

I have a great big aluminum radiator. I had to do some cutting on the core support to get it far enough forward to fit with a sufficient e fan for racing in Az. Thats with a 13b though. I think with a 12a its not so difficult. My rad goes all the way down to the bottom of the engine compartment and the oil cooler sits behind it. Its a side tank so I had to go and match hoses for it. heres a pic

http://show.imagehosting.us/show/529..._-1_529641.jpg

xrotaryguy

That picture doesnt show the core support modification or the larger radiator fan I guess

trainwreck517

iTrader: (1)

Alright, installed the rad tonight.. and it was a pita.. but I think alot had to do with my FMIC piping being in the way. Had to make an extention to the brakets, for the rad, and one for the oil cooler. I had a 16" fan on my old one, which covred most of the rad and oil cooler.. but this rad seems a bit longer so rad doesn't cover as much. Thinking of going 2 10" fans next.. but will see how the 16" works for now. I have yet to drive it as its 10pm here. and driving lights don't work yet. I'll let you guys know how it goes tomorrow. Hope temps are down.

Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

Heh, I hear ya on the PITA. I put an old 14" electric fan on mine.. seems to be plenty, it covers the radiator and part of the oil cooler so I'm happy.

Actually this morning on the way to work I don't think the fan kicked in at all as it was fairly chilly out (maybe 65 degrees), so the radiator works well.

I also had considered those dual 10" fans w/shroud and everything in one unit, but they were like $199 so I just went with what I already had. They also draw more amps so I didn't want to have my headlights totally go out when the fan kicks in.. heh, it's already bad enough.

..so what did you use on that level sensor hole in the top and lower radiator hose? We fit that curved rad. hose I picked up yesterday.. was kind of a pain but at least it won't leak like that flex stuff was doing.

You guys gonna be @ SS8?

Mike

trainwreck517

iTrader: (1)

I used a drain plug off my old S5 radiator. As for the lower hose. I would be imposible to fit a S type hose in there with a 13b. there were about 3" apart. So I was I did was cut the curve part out of the rad, so that its just a strait piping coming out, then just fit a L hose in there and it worked fine.

Yes I will be at ss8.. just look for the godzilla defense force rx-2.. will be hard to miss.. hehe

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

Too bad I didnt take pix but my bro's RX-2 has a aluminum radiator also with modified brackets. It will be at SS8.

Papasmurf

Here is a direct link to the scirroco radiators. They are about the same size as the rx2 one, and one model thats a little bit bigger.