Here's my dilemma:
The radiator on my S14 KA24DE(T) started leaking coolant were the plastic end tank mates to the actual core, so I need a new one. Instead of getting another stocky crap radiator, I want to go aftermarket, for obvious reasons (increased cooling that my KA-T surely needs).
However, the only aftermarket KA S14 radiators available are the fluidyne ($500!!!!) and the GReddy ($550!!!!). Koyo DOES NOT make an S14 KA radiator, unfortunately.
Koyo does make an S13 KA radiator, however, for only $350, which is a lot better than $550. I doubt the S13 radiator would fit w/o modification, so my question is, what would I need to modify? How's the fitment of the S13 radiator vs. the S14 one? The inlets/outlets are on the same side, which is what's important, but will custom brackets for the top AND bottom need to be made in order for an S13 one to fit an S14? If anyone's done this, let me know...
Thanks
Marc
Need options for S14 KA radiator...can't find any. HELP
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Muad'Dib 701
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No way am I spending $550 when the OEM one is only $140....that's such an unbelievable rip-off, and I hate the markup from "good" brands like greddy and fluidyne. THERE IS NOTHING SPECIAL TO THEM, no new technology that hasn't been around for years, they're just all aluminum and have increased capacity. Just paying for the name IMO.
The greddy ones have the water temp sensor plug built into the radiator. Also it's the alternative that Koguchi himself recommends to the very pricey ARC radiators. Personally I've never had any problems with Koyo since I got a stock koyo for my KA. So I figured I'd save a few bucks and get a aluminum one for my SR.
If money's a big issue, go with the koyo. I got mine for 290 shipped from a guy on ebay named dealz706 and I got it in a week from when I won the auction.
If money's a big issue, go with the koyo. I got mine for 290 shipped from a guy on ebay named dealz706 and I got it in a week from when I won the auction.
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TrunkMonkey
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Hmm...
Just got the intercooler all mounted up this week...so now I'm a little nervous about cooling...all the more reason to upgrade the radiator.
I don't think I need a three core, that seems a little over kill, but if the price is right, it's a definite alternative--are those radiators all aluminum? What are their dimensions compared to S14 radiators? Will they fit no problem?
I also heard that a 280zx radiator 2 core would work well as well..is this an all aluminum radiator?
If all that I need to do is make upper brackets for the S13 koyo radiator (and it bolts up to the bottom), then I think I'll go with the Koyo. Brackets will be very easy to make...
Can someone confirm that the S13 radiator will fit fine except for the upper brackets?
Thanks....
Marc
Just got the intercooler all mounted up this week...so now I'm a little nervous about cooling...all the more reason to upgrade the radiator.
I don't think I need a three core, that seems a little over kill, but if the price is right, it's a definite alternative--are those radiators all aluminum? What are their dimensions compared to S14 radiators? Will they fit no problem?
I also heard that a 280zx radiator 2 core would work well as well..is this an all aluminum radiator?
If all that I need to do is make upper brackets for the S13 koyo radiator (and it bolts up to the bottom), then I think I'll go with the Koyo. Brackets will be very easy to make...
Can someone confirm that the S13 radiator will fit fine except for the upper brackets?
Thanks....
Marc
Just did some research...
According to a few OEM radiator replacement websites (such as http://www.radiatorbarn.com), the S14 radiator is quite a bit bigger than the s13:
S14: Core: 14-3/16 x 25-1/2 x 1-5/16 (all inches)Inlet header: 1 - 9/16Outlet header: 1- 9/16
S13:Core: 14-1/8 x 25-1/2 x 11/16 (all inches)Inlet header: 1-3/16Outlet header: 1-3/4
This is interesting because it means not only is the s14 radiator almost an inch thicker, but the inlet/outlet sizes are different than the s13, so I couldn't use the same hose. So I think the S13 option is out.
HOWEVER, the S14 radiator on my car is NOT 1 and 5/16" thick, it is 1" thick, NO bigger....so maybe I'll just go with a standard all-metal replacement, because it will be 5/16" thicker, which is quite a bit more capacity....
This one looks like a pretty good replacement:
http://www.radiatorexpress.com...09080
According to a few OEM radiator replacement websites (such as http://www.radiatorbarn.com), the S14 radiator is quite a bit bigger than the s13:
S14: Core: 14-3/16 x 25-1/2 x 1-5/16 (all inches)Inlet header: 1 - 9/16Outlet header: 1- 9/16
S13:Core: 14-1/8 x 25-1/2 x 11/16 (all inches)Inlet header: 1-3/16Outlet header: 1-3/4
This is interesting because it means not only is the s14 radiator almost an inch thicker, but the inlet/outlet sizes are different than the s13, so I couldn't use the same hose. So I think the S13 option is out.
HOWEVER, the S14 radiator on my car is NOT 1 and 5/16" thick, it is 1" thick, NO bigger....so maybe I'll just go with a standard all-metal replacement, because it will be 5/16" thicker, which is quite a bit more capacity....
This one looks like a pretty good replacement:
http://www.radiatorexpress.com...09080
hey demcj, which 200sx are you talking about? The the V6, regular 4, or the turbo? I'm assuming you're talking about the turbo model...
Anyway, I've heared of many cheap upgrades that you can do for the 240 (like using the skyline shifter, and everybody's favorite, 300z conversion), but I've never heared of a 200SX radiator being 3 core, or fitting into the 240 chassis. Have you seen this done before, or do you have it done? 'Cause I'd be really interested in your imput on this... Thanks alot
Kenny
Anyway, I've heared of many cheap upgrades that you can do for the 240 (like using the skyline shifter, and everybody's favorite, 300z conversion), but I've never heared of a 200SX radiator being 3 core, or fitting into the 240 chassis. Have you seen this done before, or do you have it done? 'Cause I'd be really interested in your imput on this... Thanks alot
Kenny
Chingon wrote:since you are already customizing, ho 'bout a griffin, half the price for the same fluydine, etc... perfomance. I'd get a small chevy one and mount it somehow.
I don't want to do THAT much customizing...the top-brackets are one thing, I don't want to have to make all new brackets, etc...
Plus, the one I found that's supposed to be an OEM replacement is 5/16" thicker than the one I have right now...which brings me to my next question: Why are the OEM replacement radiators that I'm looking at (like the linke I gave) 5/16" bigger than the stock S14 radiator (my core is exactly 1" thick)? Are these radiators constructed the same way as the OEM ones? If so, does that mean the 5/16" more will allow the radiator to have a greater cooling capacity? A 5/16" thicker core may not seem like much, but that translates into 113 cubic inches more volume than the 1" S14 core that I have right now...
Any input guys?
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TrunkMonkey
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i'm probably gonna get yelled at for doing this...click here.karay240 wrote:hey demcj, which 200sx are you talking about? The the V6, regular 4, or the turbo? I'm assuming you're talking about the turbo model...
Anyway, I've heared of many cheap upgrades that you can do for the 240 (like using the skyline shifter, and everybody's favorite, 300z conversion), but I've never heared of a 200SX radiator being 3 core, or fitting into the 240 chassis. Have you seen this done before, or do you have it done? 'Cause I'd be really interested in your imput on this... Thanks alot
Kenny
-demetrius
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TrunkMonkey
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iirc, automatic S14s have a larger radiator because it includes the transmission oil cooler. maybe that's what your looking at?MarkEmark wrote:Plus, the one I found that's supposed to be an OEM replacement is 5/16" thicker than the one I have right now...which brings me to my next question: Why are the OEM replacement radiators that I'm looking at (like the linke I gave) 5/16" bigger than the stock S14 radiator (my core is exactly 1" thick)? Are these radiators constructed the same way as the OEM ones? If so, does that mean the 5/16" more will allow the radiator to have a greater cooling capacity? A 5/16" thicker core may not seem like much, but that translates into 113 cubic inches more volume than the 1" S14 core that I have right now...
Any input guys?
-demetrius
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EazyBreazy
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you could get a s14 koyo for the sr and find a upper radiator hose to fit ...or get a u bend and a 90 degree bend connect the u to the block and the 90 to the upper hose connection on the radiator and put a piece of steel or something of that sort in the middle... give me your email and ill email you pics of mine...thats how i did it. between that and my flexalite i have no worries about over heating....even when i get back from japan and put my built kar in my car.
sdwyz: My email: [email protected]
Maybe the 1 5/16" radiator is for an AT, but the place that I found it at didn't differentiate between MT or AT.
If our stock cores are aluminum already, why would an OEM replacement core be made of copper? I don't want copper, I'd prefer all aluminum...The one in the link I posted was all aluminum IIRC.
Maybe the 1 5/16" radiator is for an AT, but the place that I found it at didn't differentiate between MT or AT.
If our stock cores are aluminum already, why would an OEM replacement core be made of copper? I don't want copper, I'd prefer all aluminum...The one in the link I posted was all aluminum IIRC.
MarkEmark wrote:sdwyz: My email: [email protected]
Maybe the 1 5/16" radiator is for an AT, but the place that I found it at didn't differentiate between MT or AT.
If our stock cores are aluminum already, why would an OEM replacement core be made of copper? I don't want copper, I'd prefer all aluminum...The one in the link I posted was all aluminum IIRC.
well, it depends....some OEM replacement are a direct fit and everything but are made of copper. Unless it's a OEM original nissan, then chances are it's copper.
Example. Koyo makes oem replacements...you can find them on ebay. They are black and are made of copper or brass. They are painted black w/enamel because as we all know, copper reacts with water and forms copper oxide. If it was aluminum, there would not be any need to paint it, since water and al. produce aluminum oxide, which is a "protectant" of aluminum.
Again, since copper is a better conductor of heat than aluminum, copper is just as good of a choice as aluminum for a radiator. It also is more resistant to bent fins because it's a stronger element. Disadvantages are weight and possible long term corrotion.I say possible, because this all depends on what the manufacturer used to coat the inside of the radiator. Some radiators are coated with cheap resins or polymers that will wash away with the constant hot water, and others are done well and use heat resistant compounds.
Good info.
The link I posted for the "OEM replacement" radiator has an all-aluminum core that is 1- 5/16" thick. Assuming it doesn't have a transmission cooler built into it, I'm going to go with this radiator. Do you guys think there's any chance of it being not built as well/as efficient as an OEM radiator?
I'm going to call them on Monday and ask them about the bigger size (compared to OEM) and if it has a transmission cooler incorporated into it, which I do not need since mine is a manual transmission...
On another note, do any of you know for sure if an automatic S14 KA had a transmission cooler?!?
The link I posted for the "OEM replacement" radiator has an all-aluminum core that is 1- 5/16" thick. Assuming it doesn't have a transmission cooler built into it, I'm going to go with this radiator. Do you guys think there's any chance of it being not built as well/as efficient as an OEM radiator?
I'm going to call them on Monday and ask them about the bigger size (compared to OEM) and if it has a transmission cooler incorporated into it, which I do not need since mine is a manual transmission...
On another note, do any of you know for sure if an automatic S14 KA had a transmission cooler?!?
Just wanted to update...
I got an S13 Koyo aluminum radiator and put it in today. It's a beautiful very well built radiator, incredibly thick, yet unfortunately heavier than the original one.
The pegs on the bottom of the radiator fit up with the one on the S14's, so all that needs to be done is to drill holes for the upper-radiator brackets and use some good sheetmetal screws and some washers. Also, the electric fan from the S14 DOES NOT bolt right up to the radiator. The two threaded inserts on the top of the radiator are too wide apart for the mounting tabs of the fan so the mounting tabs need to be drilled out (no big deal), but the bottom part of the radiator has nothing for the bottom tabs of the fan to be held in. All that I did was make aluminum brackets with two holes, one that slid over the peg on the radiator bottom, one that slid over the peg on the bottom of the fan's plastic mounting tab. This just keeps the fan from moving anywhere on the bottom of the radiator, as it's already secured at the top.
So it's not that big of a deal putting it in if you don't mind making some aluminum brackets and drilling, etc.
I got an S13 Koyo aluminum radiator and put it in today. It's a beautiful very well built radiator, incredibly thick, yet unfortunately heavier than the original one.
The pegs on the bottom of the radiator fit up with the one on the S14's, so all that needs to be done is to drill holes for the upper-radiator brackets and use some good sheetmetal screws and some washers. Also, the electric fan from the S14 DOES NOT bolt right up to the radiator. The two threaded inserts on the top of the radiator are too wide apart for the mounting tabs of the fan so the mounting tabs need to be drilled out (no big deal), but the bottom part of the radiator has nothing for the bottom tabs of the fan to be held in. All that I did was make aluminum brackets with two holes, one that slid over the peg on the radiator bottom, one that slid over the peg on the bottom of the fan's plastic mounting tab. This just keeps the fan from moving anywhere on the bottom of the radiator, as it's already secured at the top.
So it's not that big of a deal putting it in if you don't mind making some aluminum brackets and drilling, etc.