I need a new radiator, and Im thinking about going with a half sized 2 row civic radiator rather than a used integra radiator. Im only concerned it wont do the job during long periods of beating on the car, like track days. In particular, Expo 5, which is in the heart of the Plains and could potentially be very warm outside. It seems most people think its ok as long you get a thicker 2 row radiator. Plus autozone sells new ones for $99 with a warranty so you cant really beat that. I think it will probably be ok, just looking for confirmation.

 

i dont think you will have a problem... there was a post just the other day where someone put the half size thicker civic rad on their itr....

they said that when they refilled it w/ fluid that it held the same amount as the itr rad..

i will try to find the link...

 

yeah i know that was someone using an AN-R header. and hadnt had a chance to test it out yet.

 

Ryan, i've been using my original EK rad with my C5 motor for about 6k miles now; no problems at all, even when I drove back from VA to GA (about 9hrs with only a couple of stops for gas).

Only thing I'd suggest is maybe change out the coolant right before Expo

 

have you driven during the blazing heat of the summertime?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW Ryan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">have you driven during the blazing heat of the summertime?</TD></TR></TABLE>

VA to GA was in July 2004

 

cool thanks. i thought it would be ok, just looking for some reassurance i guess. im paranoid

 

From what I've seen the best rads to get if your getting a Civic rad is an automatic Civic rad as it's dual core.

 

does "dual core" and "two row" mean the same thing?

 

It should. The del sol vtec radiator is the easiest to pull the part number for and get the radiator for. I got my from like radiators.com or something awhile back. I've tracked it during the summer with 0 issues.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW Ryan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">does "dual core" and "two row" mean the same thing?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am almost positive yes....and the dual core is found on automatics that you could either A) get new as you stated, or B) go find one in a junk yard . I do know that my rad vs the ones in the automatics is thinner, which i plan to upgrade before Exp0

 

I, personally, wouldn't do it. Why skimp on the cooling system, you'll eventually run into a situation when the civic radiator is not adequate for the job.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I, personally, wouldn't do it. Why skimp on the cooling system, you'll eventually run into a situation when the civic radiator is not adequate for the job. </TD></TR></TABLE>

damn you and your voice of reason. i hate skimping...im just running out of money on my rebuild. maybe ill just do it as a temporary fix for now to get the car going again.

and Jon, i hate the idea of buying a used radiator from a junkyard.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I, personally, wouldn't do it. Why skimp on the cooling system, you'll eventually run into a situation when the civic radiator is not adequate for the job. </TD></TR></TABLE>

why would it be inadequate for the job? Sure...honda made the dual-fan rad for the Type R, but they also didn't for the CTR correct? Im not saying that justifies question, but they did intend the CTR for track purposes as well.

&lt;---who is not replying aggressively, just more interested to hear one's opinion

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW Ryan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


and Jon, i hate the idea of buying a used radiator from a junkyard. </TD></TR></TABLE>

as do i...but sometimes junkyards can be treasure chests

 

If it was like a PWR, id say maybe.I wouldnt take the chance with a POS Autozone radiator in any way. GO cheap and it will break on you. Garunteed

I would get a thick *** Integra Rad from like fluidyne and call it a day

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jon D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
&lt;---who is not replying aggressively, just more interested to hear one's opinion </TD></TR></TABLE>

Do we really need damn disclaimers like that? I want the HT-with-attitude to come back, none of this new-age, huggy-huggy &lt;&gt; chit!


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jon D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
why would it be inadequate for the job? Sure...honda made the dual-fan rad for the Type R, but they also didn't for the CTR correct? Im not saying that justifies question, but they did intend the CTR for track purposes as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't have experience with the civic half-size radiator as I don't run one, hell, I don't even run a stock integra radiator. Even if the amount of fluid present in a double core civic radiator is the same as in an itr radiator, the radiators ability to shed the extra heat is still roughly half of the integra's, just based on surface area, not to mention the fact that most of the air pulled in thorugh the front grille will bypass the radiator all together.

With that said, the civic rad is probably adequate in most situations, but will not have the overhead of a full width rad. I like overhead, I like to have a safety margin when it comes to cooling capacity, especially on an engine that puts out a lot of heat.

Also, keep in mind that the oem-style rads that have plastic tops are still prone to cracking with time and a full-metal replacement should be considered. Furthermore the use of a higher-than-stock rad cap seems to increase the propensity for the plastic top rads to crack/leak/seep from what I've seen.

 

i agree!

if you want half rad, then get a fluidyne/koyo, or equiv one... but again, only if you have clearance issues.

everythings a compromise

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Do we really need damn disclaimers like that? I want the HT-with-attitude to come back, none of this new-age, huggy-huggy &lt;&gt; chit!

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes...b/c unless you know the person, often they will rebound feeling "called out" if you will. So i made that comment to clarify i was simply interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions, rather then reading a hostile reply which i am sure you have seen in many cases. So thanks for the reply....which was exactly what i was looking for

 

Ok... i have a civic hatch. b18c_r motor... and the civic dual core radiator with a mugen rad cap. So far I've survived 2 years with it. 10+ hpdes, autocrosses and lots and lots of roadtrips. 40minutes sessions at watkings glen included.

I'm not HC or something, but I do flog my car. So far its survived everything I can toss at it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by splitime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok... i have a civic hatch. b18c_r motor... and the civic dual core radiator with a mugen rad cap. So far I've survived 2 years with it. 10+ hpdes, autocrosses and lots and lots of roadtrips. 40minutes sessions at watkings glen included.

I'm not HC or something, but I do flog my car. So far its survived everything I can toss at it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd imagine that setup only having issues on very hot days and on-track driving...if even then. I have seem (slightly) elevated water temps on a 100+ F day at summit point, and that's using a full width fluidyne rad with no fans to block airflow. So I'd imagine a half-width rad would struggle a bit more in that situation.

Extreme usage for sure, just being devil's advocate here. (no pun intended)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Extreme usage for sure, just being devil's advocate here. (no pun intended)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh I fully understand. I tend to do that also

I just figured I would put up an example of someone using it... since I do have firsthand with it. So far so good is my viewpoint. I've got temp gauges that I tend to stare at when I drive, so I can monitor my fluids.

 

if the $99 autozone unit is all metal... I don't see why you could not use it.
I carried a used dual core with me to track events for a while.... you never know who would need one and how much it would be worth track side.

just block the opening that will be left on the drivers side of the grill (unless the a/c is there) so that the air will be directed into the radiator.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I don't have experience with the civic half-size radiator as I don't run one, hell, I don't even run a stock integra radiator. Even if the amount of fluid present in a double core civic radiator is the same as in an itr radiator, the radiators ability to shed the extra heat is still roughly half of the integra's, just based on surface area, not to mention the fact that most of the air pulled in thorugh the front grille will bypass the radiator all together.

With that said, the civic rad is probably adequate in most situations, but will not have the overhead of a full width rad. I like overhead, I like to have a safety margin when it comes to cooling capacity, especially on an engine that puts out a lot of heat.

Also, keep in mind that the oem-style rads that have plastic tops are still prone to cracking with time and a full-metal replacement should be considered. Furthermore the use of a higher-than-stock rad cap seems to increase the propensity for the plastic top rads to crack/leak/seep from what I've seen.


</TD></TR></TABLE>

there we go, finally some tech back in honda TECH.

Ive always been one to be safe rather than sorry. I used to run a full width fluidyne on my old set up and it was beautiful. I just cant afford another one of those right now.

I think Ill run a half sized for now until I can do it right with a full size later on, hopefully before Expo. Thanks for everyones help

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW Ryan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I think Ill run a half sized for now until I can do it right with a full size later on, hopefully before Expo. Thanks for everyones help
</TD></TR></TABLE>

...and if j00 want to maximize it's potential, block off the remaining opening like Will said.