porscha356 Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Looking to install a new motor sometime in the next few weeks and will be needing some cooling for the new baby. Have gotten ideas ranging from rebuilding the stock unit to 3 core (estimate $350), new aluminum from China ($200-250 or so), electric fan with VW radiator (???), or a stock BMW one from a 320i (not sure of the model). Live in California north of San Francisco where it sometimes gets warm (90s to 100s) from May to October, enough so that I don't think the stock radiator will do the job, considering the increased HP. I don't want to cut or modify anything, prefer to use the stock mounts and hook ups as best allowed. Does anyone have any first hand experience to share? Thanks Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Radiator is only part of the battle. What will your plans be towards cooling down even further? Fan selection? Taking that path may lead you to your answer. Quote Link to comment
EastBay521 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 You said it brother Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Well you can increase the heat radiating surface area OR increase the air flow. With enough air flow a heater core would do... but not practical. A large enough rad will cool without a fan using just the vehicle's motion. All cars will cool just from vehicle speed unless the hill is very steep or the speed drops. In all cases they will over heat from long idling and low speeds taking longer in very cold weather and much less in hot. For this an electric fan is perfect as it is only on when needed. The rad's ability to dump heat into the air should be matched by the engine's heat producing ability. I imagine an SR20ET will potentially, make more heat than a stock L16 but only when driven with a heavy throttle. Additionally, the L16 rad will work with an SR for a brief run through the gears. This will cause a heat spike that will require a cool down time of light throttle and driving around to shed the heat. The cooling system is a large heat sink just like large vented rotors. It can absorb sudden high amounts of heat but not prolonged over heating. For best results, the rad should be much larger to allow unlimited length high RPM and horse power running without over heating. A triple core rad will increase the radiating area by 1/3 but not shed exactly 1/3 more heat. The SR is a well documented swap so find out what everyone else did. Probably you won't be able to keep the rad support stock and will have to make the opening larger. To get the most out of your cooling system... Keep and use a shroud to increase the air flow efficiency at low speeds, even with an electric fan. Block any air gaps around or under the rad including the gap between the hood and the rad support. Use foam or a strip of rubber. An air dam on the front (chin spoiler?) blocks air from going under the front of the car causing a high pressure area in front of the rad. Air naturally wants to go through the rad. Keep rad free of bugs and dirt by placing a fly screen across the front. Paint the rad flat black not gloss. Flat black radiates heat better than a glossy surface. Paint the oil pan too! If possible run an oil cooler. ANY heat removed takes a load off the cooling system. 2 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I think a KOYO radiator would be best or if your recore your stock one to a 3 core. agood shop can do this. 3 core is the way to go if alot of 90deg days Quote Link to comment
GoGoGo Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Get a Koyo. Works great and around $250 shipped. Can use your stock fan shroud with it as it has the brackets for it already. Will cool a L20b just fine... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Geez how did I think this was an SR??? L20B would work fine with a 3 core rad. 620 trucks had three core rads on the L20Bs. Don't think it will fit a 510 though. Ask 610, 710, S10, A10 owners if air con. cars came with three core. Quote Link to comment
porscha356 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 As always gentlemen, thank you for your input. Especially Datsenmike, who takes the time out of his day to help us all out with thorough explanations. It is appreciated. BTW, what Koyo radiator is recommended for my application.....one for a stock L16, an L20B, or some other application. Something that is bolt in hopefully. I will research the (A/C) 610, 710, S10 and A10 radiators to see if they are 3 core. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment
Dalesun Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Assuming this is going in your 510 I got a Koyo 510 radiator for my 521 and it is awesome. I have a stock l20b and it never goes over 185 even in 100° heat ripping around town. Really good quality and only cost me $260 shipped. Bolted right in and fan shroud bolted up too. I am sure it will cool your engine enough unless your doing some crazy built engine. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Assuming this is going in your 510 I got a Koyo 510 radiator for my 521 and it is awesome. I have a stock l20b and it never goes over 185 even in 100° heat ripping around town. Really good quality and only cost me $260 shipped. Bolted right in and fan shroud bolted up too. I am sure it will cool your engine enough unless your doing some crazy built engine. Where did you purchase it from? Quote Link to comment
porscha356 Posted July 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Assuming this is going in your 510 I got a Koyo 510 radiator for my 521 and it is awesome. I have a stock l20b and it never goes over 185 even in 100° heat ripping around town. Really good quality and only cost me $260 shipped. Bolted right in and fan shroud bolted up too. I am sure it will cool your engine enough unless your doing some crazy built engine. The motor is a bit more than stock (2150cc) and the cooling lines have been modified (some have been eliminated). I was concerned about the extra heat being generated. First run on the dyno last Thursday was 200.6 hp but it is still being tweaked. I really don't expect more on a street engine as a reliability line needs to be drawn somewhere...... Called a Koyo distributor in CA to inquire about their radiator and he referred me to the Racing Dept. for more information. I have called them three times since yesterday, left my number, but they have not returned my calls. Poor customer relations I would say! 1 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 My 2150 made 209 hp and 195 lbs tq. I used a stock radiator with a 3 row core and a stock 510 fan with stock shroud. It never overheated on me. Sounds like you're right in the ballpark. Quote Link to comment
Dalesun Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 Where did you purchase it from? http://thmotorsports.com/i-1974991.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=1974991NOFITMENT&utm_campaign=GoogleShoppingSeanNOFITMENT&adtype=pla&kw=&gclid=CJuv9vmS_sYCFVSSfgodvdAEpg Believe I got it here. I just took the part number, googled it under shopping and sorted price lowest to highest. Found the cheapest one including shipping. Took a few days to arrive and it came in a great box. No damage at all. Quote Link to comment
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