Does Radiator Thickness Matter?

[lovethatcar]

Looking to replace the original radiator on my r32 but i'm not sure if radiator thickness or number of cores/rows makes a difference? Been looking on ebay and other part's sites and i've seen all different kinds like 40mm 42mm 50mm 57mm, not sure which to go for as i just want to replace the old one without having to make any other mods etc. Any help is appreciated Cheers

[tiberis]

Thicker core == larger body of water + more surface area.

This pretty much just means that you can provide more cooling capabilities.

Unless you plan on pushing some serious horsies out from your engine you shouldn't need much more than stock core size (though with Aus weather, a little bit extra wouldn't hurt).

[StevenCJR31]

Wider is far better than thicker

[MrStabby]

Be careful of the fit if you go non-standard size - you don't want the fan taking a bite out of the shroud... Some of the ebay ones dont fit at all.... You should be able to find an SAU trader with something to suit, and that would be a safer bet.

[The Bogan]

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/314551-great-deals-on-radiators/

FENIX radiators is a SAU NSW sponser

http://fenixautopart.com/contacts.asp?selectclassid=006001

[Cassbo]

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/314551-great-deals-on-radiators/

FENIX radiators is a SAU NSW sponser

http://fenixautopart.com/contacts.asp?selectclassid=006001

I run one of these Fenix 42mm radiators in my R33. Fits fine with factory fan shroud!

[Ty1]

i can vouch for the fenix 42mm radiators as well. perfect fitment and fantastic quality

[lovethatcar]

cheers for the tips, so would any size (made for an r32) fit in the standard slot/housing? and a thicker/wider would be more effective?

[Victory]

40 or 42 mm is the way to go as that will allow you to run the standard fan shroud and not have any clearance problems.

If you run any larger then you can have clearance problems and also your motor can run too cold if it is in close to stock condition. I run a 40 mm core with about 230kw and have difficulty getting the car up to normal operating temps even at track days and at Sydney Drags.

[Cassbo]

If you run any larger then you can have clearance problems and also your motor can run too cold if it is in close to stock condition. I run a 40 mm core with about 230kw and have difficulty getting the car up to normal operating temps even at track days and at Sydney Drags.

This is true!

Last time my car saw "normal" water temps was at Wakefield in December!

[jjman]

But if u have a properly working thermosat it should self regulate the temps regardless of the radiator temps??

[abr33]

I have a brand new alloy radiator i think is for an r32 i have a 33 and only realised a year later when trying to fit. ill try find out. its about 40mm thick. pm me if your interested

Edited February 6, 2012 by abr33

[Cassbo]

But if u have a properly working thermosat it should self regulate the temps regardless of the radiator temps??

Brand new radiator, brand new thermostat. Factory temp sensor never goes over 70degC on the street

[SargeRX8]

Is it worth it for a car pushing about 260rwkw? During the cooler days my average temps are 76 - 83C. On hot days I can see it rise up to about 88 - 89c on the power FC. I don't even need to be giving it a hard time. No idea if this is a concern or not...

[dynafit]

Is it worth it for a car pushing about 260rwkw? During the cooler days my average temps are 76 - 83C. On hot days I can see it rise up to about 88 - 89c on the power FC. I don't even need to be giving it a hard time. No idea if this is a concern or not...

No concern. It's perfectly fine operating temperatures.

[gotRICE?]

I have a 52mm radiator in my R33 and it fits with the factory shroud and clutch fan, so you can definitely get away with that size too. Been running it for a month or so now with no issues.

Agreed that Its perfectly normal to be into the 90's. Most modern cars run alot hotter than older ones anyway due to emissions so its not going to hurt. R34's run in the 90's stock. Thermostat starts opening at 84C i believe, fully open at 95. Whereas R33's open at 72C, fully open at 85C.

My OEM Nissan thermostat used to have the car sit at around 84-85C cruising the streets and highways. I replaced it with a higher flowing unit as i was getting a tad hot on the track. The aftermarked thermostat opens slightly hotter than OEM, be it 3C i believe. And now cruises at about 88C. It cools far better than the stock one though. I actually see a temperature drop when i give it a bootful lol. 300rwkw,

[jjman]

Brand new radiator, brand new thermostat. Factory temp sensor never goes over 70degC on the street

I just thought some more about this- It aint right. Unless you are living in a very low temp area (snow areas) and have a low temp thermostat...

An OEM R33 thermostat doesnt start opening until the 70's so there is no way the water in the motor could stay that cold without flowing thru the radiator, and a very cold radiator at that...

[gotRICE?]

I just thought some more about this- It aint right. Unless you are living in a very low temp area (snow areas) and have a low temp thermostat...

An OEM R33 thermostat doesnt start opening until the 70's so there is no way the water in the motor could stay that cold without flowing thru the radiator, and a very cold radiator at that...

Yep agree with that. Starts opening at 72/73C and fully open by 85.

And also, VCT doesnt even start working till ECT is above 75C.

[Cassbo]

I just thought some more about this- It aint right. Unless you are living in a very low temp area (snow areas) and have a low temp thermostat...

An OEM R33 thermostat doesnt start opening until the 70's so there is no way the water in the motor could stay that cold without flowing thru the radiator, and a very cold radiator at that...

Nismo low temp thermostat, live in Sydney

I'm not saying it's right, just what ECUtalk reports

[gotRICE?]

That kinda thing is important to add when people are talking about temps lol.