quick radiator question

[ska69]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of replacing my old stock radiator with something else + all piping.

What would be an optimal solution for a mostly stock ca18det with an s15 turbo + custom exhaust manifold @ ~ 200-220 hp at the wheels?

Will the new stock radiator + electric fans be able to cool the engine?

My current options are:

a new ka24de Mishimoto + Mishimoto fans&shroud (225+185 USD= 410 USD + s/h)

or

a new stock ka24de radiator + say, altima electric fans? (around 150-200 USD + s/h)

I'm not trying to be cheap or anything, I simply don't want to overpay and invest the extra cash into other parts for my 200sx s13.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanx.

[Frankenfourty]

For a mostly stock motor I would say a new oem rad with a good set of fans is enough.

[ska69]

I hope it would be so but what about the small mods (the turbo, exhaust manifold) - will they affect the temperature anyhow?

[Frankenfourty]

Those mods aren't enough to significantly raise the cooling needs of your engine.

[mbmbmb23]

If you get an OEM replacement get a SOHC KA Auto trans radiator. When I was hunting for an OEM replacement I noticed when I compared all of a certain brand the auto version was the thickest due to the trans cooler it had. I'm thinking it was 1.75 inches versus 1.0 inches.....same price.

Honestly though the price of nice aftermarket radiators has gone down in the last few years, I would look at getting one of those...you can get a nice one for like $140 shipped, all aluminum, 2 inch thick, etc.

-m

[ska69]

mbmbmb23,

can you plz show me the 140 USD radiators?

what brands of the ka24e radiators exactly where you comparing?

Frankenfourty, thanks! then I'm fine.

[sjbsuperman1425]

http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/me...=RDNS

i'd get this along w/ a 14" Fan. I'm using their Skyline Radiator which is a little bit thinner with a 14" Fan and my temps are never outrageously high. The fan moves ALOT of air and drops temps VERY quickly.

[ska69]

205 USD is not so for from 225...I guess I'll go with the stock KA auto/manual...whichever I find first

[mbmbmb23]

mbmbmb23,

can you plz show me the 140 USD radiators?

what brands of the ka24e radiators exactly where you comparing?

Frankenfourty, thanks! then I'm fine.

Honestly I'm not sure of the brand it was a few years ago....but it was definitely aftermarket OEM replacement....aluminum with plastic end tanks.

Anyways...here are some of the cheapest aluminum rads you can find on ebay. The best deal is at the bottom, 2.5 inches for $140 shipped. Any KA radiator will work since the coolant ports are both on the USDM passenger side. Do an ebay search for "240sx radiator" and skim to the core specs...and check the thickness. Not sure how good the rad caps they include are, I'd probably upgrade to a Nissan OEM one or a nice aftermarket (non chinese knock off).

2"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...Parts

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

2.25" ($150 shipped)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

2.5" ($140 shipped)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

[ska69]

thanx! just wanted to be sure, that KA & CA rads are the same...I've also check up by p/n's...they match. I guess I'll go with bare stock radiators, not full aluminum, as I don't see any point in it for my needs (basically daily driving, w/o drift, etc.)

btw, I have a nismo radiator cap rated at 13 psi or 1.3 bar (don't remember for sure...) It was one of my first investments into my s13, when I had no clue of what I'm doing can I use it with a stock radiator + silicone

[sjbsuperman1425]

yea you can use it. it helps raise the boiling point of the coolant

[ska69]

ok, then I guess I'm all set =)

[mbmbmb23]

Be careful when going with a stock radiator with plastic endtanks, if you dont get the coolant system bled fully you may get an air pocket in the corner of the radiator and it will boil a hole through the plastic (happened to my KA).

[ska69]

ouch! thanks fot the tip didn't know that I'll do my best with bleeding & will follow the FSM