Negatives to using Half Width Radiator?
We have a killer half width radiator, I believe it is the best available, custom built for us from Fluidyne, but we only offer it with AN fittings in and out. We use a Spal fan on them and have no issues.
Our FF kit will fit the a/c compressor but we do not have a half width condenser, so using a/c with our FF kit is not possible.
Since this thread started asking about using a half width radiator with a NON forward facing turbo kit, I have another solution. We also will be offering, very shortly, a 3/4 width radiator for the stock appearing turbo guys. The radiators were custom built for us, again by Fluidyne, and are here on our shelf. We have no released them yet as I have a car coming in to install it on and build an air box/inlet for the factory turbos, making them essentially forward facing. The radiators can be sold as-is without the air box/inlet now but ideally we will release a complete kit that includes the radiator and air inlet.
In order for the air box to work the a/c condenser will need to be removed, just like a FF kit.
Our FF kit will fit the a/c compressor but we do not have a half width condenser, so using a/c with our FF kit is not possible.
Since this thread started asking about using a half width radiator with a NON forward facing turbo kit, I have another solution. We also will be offering, very shortly, a 3/4 width radiator for the stock appearing turbo guys. The radiators were custom built for us, again by Fluidyne, and are here on our shelf. We have no released them yet as I have a car coming in to install it on and build an air box/inlet for the factory turbos, making them essentially forward facing. The radiators can be sold as-is without the air box/inlet now but ideally we will release a complete kit that includes the radiator and air inlet.
In order for the air box to work the a/c condenser will need to be removed, just like a FF kit.
there are already hundreds in the market. just have to do a little research.just find a mini condenser and get lines made. im sure its something very easy to do but people that go with FF turbo's usually only use them for drag or maybe a weekend warrior which is why you dont see much interest in them. im sure if you figured out how to mount the condenser and just drove to an hvac shop they could make lines for you.
The con's are all there and obvious, the question is will you stress your motor to require more cooling... Now if you're driving on the street at legal speed limits, or just holding you foot down for 8, 9, 10 seconds, etc., not much of a problem...
A 20 minute session on a road course or some spirited 'back road/canyon driving' will have you wishing you didn't cut the cooling capacity... Keeping your motor cool is the #1 factor in longevity and performance - Personally, I think a half width radiator for anything other than drag racing is pure stupidity...
A 20 minute session on a road course or some spirited 'back road/canyon driving' will have you wishing you didn't cut the cooling capacity... Keeping your motor cool is the #1 factor in longevity and performance - Personally, I think a half width radiator for anything other than drag racing is pure stupidity...
If the A/C lines were prefabbed and for sale I would buy then in a heartbeat! I want a forward facing kit but cannot justify losing A/C living in Florida. Sure its a weekend car but I want to ride in comfortable temperatures on my way where I am going...
David, have you ever looked at the cost for some custom lines? I'd 100% be a customer.
Hint hint!
David, have you ever looked at the cost for some custom lines? I'd 100% be a customer.
Hint hint!
What would a one off cost do you think? Regardless that is the route I'd have to take but supporting your shop is something I always prefer to do.
I would be picking up your radiator etc. to make everything complete...
I would be picking up your radiator etc. to make everything complete...
I've been looking at some full blown rally cars lately and I've been kind of surprised. There are numerous that are using radiators comparable in size to the half widths.
They are also using oil coolers the size of half width radiators though...
I think I'm going to split the difference and go reasonable sized radiator and a larger oil cooler. Seems like keeping the oil cool while it might not stop an overheat, it would protect the rotating assembly better then excess water cooling and lacking oil cooling.
They are also using oil coolers the size of half width radiators though...
I think I'm going to split the difference and go reasonable sized radiator and a larger oil cooler. Seems like keeping the oil cool while it might not stop an overheat, it would protect the rotating assembly better then excess water cooling and lacking oil cooling.
I've been looking at some full blown rally cars lately and I've been kind of surprised. There are numerous that are using radiators comparable in size to the half widths.
They are also using oil coolers the size of half width radiators though...
I think I'm going to split the difference and go reasonable sized radiator and a larger oil cooler. Seems like keeping the oil cool while it might not stop an overheat, it would protect the rotating assembly better then excess water cooling and lacking oil cooling.
They are also using oil coolers the size of half width radiators though...
I think I'm going to split the difference and go reasonable sized radiator and a larger oil cooler. Seems like keeping the oil cool while it might not stop an overheat, it would protect the rotating assembly better then excess water cooling and lacking oil cooling.
I don't have any idea on the cost of doing such a project. The custom lines, custom condensor, mounts etc., I'd have to guess would run well over an additional $600, but that's just a guess. We are not going to offer such a thing. Our FF kit I built so it would clear the a/c compressor, or at least I believe it will. If someone wanted to undertake this on their own it should be possible but wasn't on my mind to offer or produce. I figure at the point of going to a FF turbo kit your concerns probably are not air conditioning.
Binh, yeah I like it and would love to do something similar. I've been curious how big of a core I could fit there though without clearance problems. I'm running 275/285s on a +15 offset with the perrin PSRS so the tire moves pretty far up there when turning as the wheel pivots forward as you turn.
The con's are all there and obvious, the question is will you stress your motor to require more cooling... Now if you're driving on the street at legal speed limits, or just holding you foot down for 8, 9, 10 seconds, etc., not much of a problem...
A 20 minute session on a road course or some spirited 'back road/canyon driving' will have you wishing you didn't cut the cooling capacity... Keeping your motor cool is the #1 factor in longevity and performance - Personally, I think a half width radiator for anything other than drag racing is pure stupidity...
A 20 minute session on a road course or some spirited 'back road/canyon driving' will have you wishing you didn't cut the cooling capacity... Keeping your motor cool is the #1 factor in longevity and performance - Personally, I think a half width radiator for anything other than drag racing is pure stupidity...
Not sure if you have a crappy rad or even have a half width but I've had 2 (cbrd, koyo) and neither reached high temps. The fans do run quite a bit more though.
quick question to the guys using the 92-00 civic radiators. Are the radiators about the same height as the stock one? i am wondering if i can simply remove the passenger side mount and re mount it so i have two lower mounts....or will i have to make new mounts do the the radiator being shorter and not reaching the lower mounts?
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Completely untrue, I have gone up in the mountains at 6000+ ft driving hard with a cbrd half width rad and never seen temps above 185, even sitting in traffic at 90 degrees. I'm so surprised that these half widths cool so great.
Not sure if you have a crappy rad or even have a half width but I've had 2 (cbrd, koyo) and neither reached high temps. The fans do run quite a bit more though.
Not sure if you have a crappy rad or even have a half width but I've had 2 (cbrd, koyo) and neither reached high temps. The fans do run quite a bit more though.
Rally cars don't sit in traffic. Even the Seirra Serria, basically unlimited budget TA car could barely keep a head gasket intact at 700hp + 20 minute track sessions. You can never have enough cooling capacity for street driving and road course cars... I'm sorry, I will just not believe other wise. I'm no expert and don't quote me as such, but the logic here is infalable.
Last edited by 95630706; Mar 24, 2011 at 11:17 PM.
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Rally cars don't sit in traffic. Even the Seirra Serria, basically unlimited budget TA car could barely keep a head gasket intact at 700hp + 20 minute track sessions. You can never have enough cooling capacity for street driving and road course cars... I'm sorry, I will just not believe other wise. I'm no expect and don't quote me as such, but the logic here is infalable.
They had a 'head to block interface issue'. http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_artic...ided-by-8.aspx
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