Dutchy Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 My SLR has a R400 spec engine, the radiator may need replacing and I'm not sure whether to fit another triple pass radiator or look for an alternative. Has anyone got any different variations in use?? Steve (bloody pigeon!!!!) Edited by - dutchy on 4 Jul 2008 21:14:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 I have a standard rad in my VHPD powered 7. Works fine, unless you are racing. Only dead fish go with the flow....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Don't like the Caterham triple pass rad meself . . . that big old core with the end tanks welded on and no support, all wobbling about on rubber bobbins . My guess this is why so many fail at the core/tank join, and why Caterham themselves recommend "not to be used on the road with race springs fitted". Various people do high capacity Caterham rads which have cores that are supported (e.g. Radtec) - IMO this is a better design IF you must have a big capacity rad. However, my guess is the normal R400 ally rad will be fine, and it's £110 cheaper that a triple pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Procter Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 does that one come with a plastic top now? If so I believe a number of people have moaned about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry21p Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 On my engine (183bhp), i've found that the radtec that I bought has been more than man enough for the job and the matrix sits in a "frame" so you should experience less problems with killing it at the corners of the matrix when it flexes. They put some custom strengthening on it for me as it's flat mounted in my car. Probably costs me a tiny bit of airflow, but radtec reckon the smaller of their two rads is suitable for 200bhp, so no worries there. Adam is correct. When Darren from parts and I discussed the ally rad, he was quite clear that if i was running race springs or a stiff setup ON THE ROAD, then the big ally rad was unsuitable as i'd kill it. Normal 7's are ok though if they're not too stiff and used on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Durrant Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I fitted a Ford radiator and it is fine for road, trackdays and sprints with an SLR engine. Mark D Comp Sec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry21p Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 looked at that one when i was at redline last week and it looks strong enough for the job too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchy Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 Does anyone know what the Ford radiator is from? (Focus / Fiesta) I may see how much they are from a Ford dealer and add the brackets. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akakubi Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 coyoteracer11: R400 radiators are just like in the picture above - all aluminium, no plastic. There are two drainage bolts (top and bottom) and two hose inlets. Looks very stirdy and fits quite nicely on the rubber bobbins. Be careful when bleeding the system though, as air does get trapped inside, so you should top up via the top drainage bolt to get as much of it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Does anyone know what the Ford radiator is from? (Focus / Fiesta) A Ford engined Caterham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchy Posted June 26, 2008 Author Share Posted June 26, 2008 Just spoke to CC and the ford radiator won't fit my K series, they have suggested the one with plastic top and bottom (73157PL).Not that its in stock though for a couple of weeks!! This has a fan fitted behind the radiator (different to my old one), however will this still work on my ECU control like my other fan??? I'm guessing it will? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Dutchy: Why don't you just get the R400 road rad? I wouldn't get the plastic tanked one because (as coyoteracer11 hinted at earlier) there are questions over their reliability. Dunno what CC are on about saying the Ford rad won't fit a K . .. . I know a couple of Ks with them fitted. Guess the inlet/outlet pipes are a slightly different diameter or something? Though as I said, this doesn't mean you can't use them. WRT your fan . . . if it's ECU triggered, it's irrelevant what rad you get. If it currently works as a pusher, refit it that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil.cavanagh Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I recently fitted the 'ford' radiator to my '03 SV that was originaly a 140bhp 1.8K. It fitted as a direct swap. This 'standard' radiator has always had enogh cooling capacity for me, both on track, sprints (now with 189bhp ( to DJ)) and in HOT HOT deserts in the US (though 140bhp then). So unless you have monster 250+bhp engine I would save your money over the upgraded rads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Faulds Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 What are the alleged reliability issues with the plastic tanked rads? We've been running several of them for a couple of years now without a failure. The only Radtec we ever tried was less efficient and weeped like Heather Mills on a chat show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 What are the alleged reliability issues with the plastic tanked rads? I've heard from a couple of people (a racing type and a polishing type) that the plastic tanked rads leak from between the core and the plastic. I've never actually seen one of these failed rads but nobody I know uses them. Maybe they're fine and the dodgy rumour was started by Westfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Faulds Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Did you read it on the internet? If so, I'd better stock up on coolant for Dijon next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I've been running a Radtec since 2005 including a very hot tour across the USA and I've never had any temperature problems. It's also been completly reliable until it was destroyed in the crash last year. I've fitted a brand new Radtec as part of the rebuild. Rob G www.SpeedySeven.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchy Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 Has anyone else got experience of the Radtec, I'm heading down that route with a 11" fan sat behind it. I spoke to CC's again and when I discussed the triple rad they said if it worked ok till the pigeon get another!!! So I may plump for the in between and go for the Radtec. I guess Radtec would be fitted with the rubber mounts, the triple pass was just bolted. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beelzebub Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I've had a Radtec on my DVA' K series for 3 years. It's been completely leak free & has given no cause for concern. Two points. I did notice after changing from the standard rad was that the fan cycled differently whilst stationary. It comes on for shorter periods & stays off in between for much longer. I guess it must be related to the alloy rad's increased ability to reject heat. During the colder months the coolant temperature is more stable with half the rad masked off. I made up a baffle to cover the core with a hole in the same position & shape as the fan. Also speeds up the warming process D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchy Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 After 2 weeks off the road, I've fitted my new RADTEC radiator and fan. Been for a drive tonight, may have woke a few people up, but what the heck chuffed to bits Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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