• Hello Guest, welcome to the initial stages of our new platform!
    You can find some additional information about where we are in the process of migrating the board and setting up our new software here

    Thank you for being a part of our community!

More Efficient Radiator Options?

Murploid1

Murploid1

Active member
Joined
Apr 6, 2017
Location
Houston, Texas
Does anyone know of a more efficient radiator for a 1982 240T that will fit next to my Do88 intercooler? I guess physical size must remain the same as the nissens currently installed.

Car is an automatic and looks like Do88 only sell radiators for manual transmission cars.

My car is struggling in 95+F ambient with AC blowing, that big inter-cooler, and a 19T. Its absolutely fine running on the freeway, just when things slow down temperature really starts to rise.

Additional info:
  1. Coolant is fresh
  2. Standard nissens aluminum radiator
    1. Six months old
  3. Tropical fan clutch installed
  4. Fan shroud installed and in tact
  5. Fan blades look good
  6. 87F thermostat
  7. Running semi synthetic oil
  8. Car has a pusher fan installed
Suggestions welcome!
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
How healthy is your ac system? Old crinkly condenser? Does 82 have a pusher fan? Id look at that first. Once thats confirmed/freshened id run the do88 or similar and add an aux trans cooler if issues persist
 
Crustacean Wagon said:
How healthy is your ac system? Old crinkly condenser? Does 82 have a pusher fan? Id look at that first. Once thats confirmed/freshened id run the do88 or similar and add an aux trans cooler if issues persist
Click to expand...
Condenser was replaced about 2 years ago, pusher fan also installed.

Car runs the standard trans cooler, I could reposition it to bottom of car for better air flow - its in the engine bay (factor place).

Thanks!
 
Have you sealed up the front end so air is only forced through the fan/IC/condensor? It will find a path of least resistance, so if you have big gaps between your fan and rad it won't pull through the assembly, it will pull from the sides. Same while driving, air will go around, rather than through.
 
The Bertone's had a bigger radiator that used the full opening for the radiator, but finding one might be an issue. I had a custom one built for the V8 wagon, heavy duty 4 core, check with the guys running the LS motors.
Good luck.
 
There really isn't any space between the 240 intercooler outlets to fit a significantly larger radiator so something like the thicker do88 radiator is the only option for an upgrade with that intercooler. You would probably be much better off selling your intercooler and running a stock late 940 NA radiator and do88 940 intercooler since it's much larger than the 240 one and almost entirely fills the space between the frame rails.
 
Looking at it from a different angle, have you read the stealthfti post regarding keeping his engine temps down? He had problems with high temps on long high rpm runs. I tried the idea and engine temps remained low throughout the rev range.
Basically, connect the heater supply outlet on the head to about halfway along the top hose. Fit some sort of heater type control valve in the new pipe so that you can control/turn off the flow.
To keep the heater function, connect the heater inlet to the port for the oil cooler/warmer outlet on the exhaust side of the block.
I copied the idea to keep temps down during a hard run, but it also worked when sitting in traffic. I estimate it reduced overall temps by about 20 degrees Celsius, which is why I fitted the control valve to vary the effect.
Tim
 
Murploid1 said:
My car is struggling in 95+F ambient with AC blowing, that big inter-cooler, and a 19T. Its absolutely fine running on the freeway, just when things slow down temperature really starts to rise.
Click to expand...
In my opinion, the problem isn’t with your radiator, but with your fan. Either your fan’s viscous clutch isn’t working properly, or the system has reached its limits. Electric fans are a good alternative for achieving high airflow at low engine loads. I use a very large one from SPAL with a radiator from KLRacing and have no problems – though I must also say that I don’t have air conditioning. Important for this type of configuration: Do not simply mount the electric fan directly onto the cooling surface; instead, use a frame to create a gap between the fan and the radiator, allowing air to flow across the entire cooling surface.

IMG_20231202_134720.JPG

IMG_20231202_134729.JPG

Best Regards, ludi
 
For those not constrained by intercooler end tanks (I had to swap intercoolers to fit this), the late 940 n/a radiator is an option for a wider rad, as mentioned above. Use the upper hose meant for a 940, it's slightly longer than the 240 version.

122663324.jpg


122933021.jpg


122568370.jpg
 
ludi said:
In my opinion, the problem isn’t with your radiator, but with your fan. Either your fan’s viscous clutch isn’t working properly, or the system has reached its limits. Electric fans are a good alternative for achieving high airflow at low engine loads. I use a very large one from SPAL with a radiator from KLRacing and have no problems – though I must also say that I don’t have air conditioning. Important for this type of configuration: Do not simply mount the electric fan directly onto the cooling surface; instead, use a frame to create a gap between the fan and the radiator, allowing air to flow across the entire cooling surface.

View attachment 38652

View attachment 38653

Best Regards, ludi
Click to expand...
I agree that the issue is the fan given that temps only increase when the car is stationary. I do have a new tropical fan and clutch installed. System has reached its limit in the Texas heat...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top