of you guys who have installed aluminum radiator did you notice a big difference in the temperature drop? i have a del sol with the stock half size, dual core (vtec model with b16), and was thinking about getting an aluminum one. there is nothing wrong with mine. is it worth it? thanks.

 

Your coolant temps are controlled by your thermostat, not your radiator. If you want your car to run cooler, then buy a colder thermostat. I ran my stock half-size dual-core ('99 Civic Si) making 408 WHP and it worked fine for most things, but it wasn't enough for a road course running it hard for 30 minutes or more continuously. I replaced it with a Fluidyne and the coolant temps are the the same as with the stock radiator, they just stay there no matter what I do to it or for how long.

 

I would only upgrade if there is an inadequate cooling problem. My stock radiator would creep up to 210 degrees normal driving and under track conditions it would overheat in less than 20mins. Replaced it with a fluidyne and it never goes over 190

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rmcdaniels &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Your coolant temps are controlled by your thermostat, not your radiator. If you want your car to run cooler, then buy a colder thermostat. I ran my stock half-size dual-core ('99 Civic Si) making 408 WHP and it worked fine for most things, but it wasn't enough for a road course running it hard for 30 minutes or more continuously. I replaced it with a Fluidyne and the coolant temps are the the same as with the stock radiator, they just stay there no matter what I do to it or for how long.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you coolant temps are not controlled by your thermostat, your engine temps are controlled by the thermostat by allowing the coolant to circulate or not. if u get a better rad, it will cool faster and more efficiently, you thermostat just keeps your engine around a certain temp regardless of how cool the radiator keeps the coolant.

 

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

you coolant temps are not controlled by your thermostat, your engine temps are controlled by the thermostat by allowing the coolant to circulate or not. if u get a better rad, it will cool faster and more efficiently, you thermostat just keeps your engine around a certain temp regardless of how cool the radiator keeps the coolant.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The thermostat controls the circulation of the coolant, controlling how much of it flows through the radiator to get cooled, thereby controlling the temperature of the coolant in the engine, which controls the temperature of the engine. The temperature of the coolant in the radiator is meaningless as long as it is cool enough to cool the engine. As the poster is referring to a temperature drop, presumably observed by the temp gauge in the dash, I'll assume they are referring to the temperature of the coolant in the engine, which is regulated by the thermostat.

 

so with an aluminum radiator it just wont overheat as quickly or as often? i heard lower temp thermostats can be bad for daily driving.

 

so where can you buy these thermostats lower temp ones...btw does anyone know the stats on factory oposed to a colder one....

is running a colder plug basically like jumpin the fan so its always on or is it totally different???

 

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

The thermostat controls the circulation of the coolant, controlling how much of it flows through the radiator to get cooled, thereby controlling the temperature of the coolant in the engine, which controls the temperature of the engine. The temperature of the coolant in the radiator is meaningless as long as it is cool enough to cool the engine. As the poster is referring to a temperature drop, presumably observed by the temp gauge in the dash, I'll assume they are referring to the temperature of the coolant in the engine, which is regulated by the thermostat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the thermostat controls the coolant goin to the engine, not the rad, hence why it is closed till the engine reaches operating temps when cold starting. you are right about the control of the engine temps, but if you are over heating due to a radiator thats not effecient enough, getting a cooler thermostat will not help at all. to the original poster:<U></U> if there is nothing wrong with your setup, then theres nothing to fix. if your temps are normal, you dont need to do anything, although a big shiny alum rad would look awesome, if you just want it for the glory and have the $$, theres nothing wrong with upgrading it, who knows, maybe you'll need it once you have become addicted to power..lol!
daniel

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RudeLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> if there is nothing wrong with your setup, then theres nothing to fix. if your temps are normal, you dont need to do anything</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd agree with that, and most of the time a dual-core half-width raduator is plenty. Mine worked well for daily driving, 1/4 mile, and autcross, all while making 400+ WHP. When I took it to Roebling Road it ran hot after a few minutes and wouldn't cool down, so I went out and bought a Fluidyne half-width radiator. After that the temp gauge stayed right in the middle, even running it at 150+ on the track. Roebling Road is a very fast track though, maybe at VIR South it would have been fine.

Ciiff's notes version - the stock radiator worked fine until I got to a road course, then it was inadequate.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GunMETAL_TEgRa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">is running a colder plug basically like jumpin the fan so its always on or is it totally different???</TD></TR></TABLE>

totally different

 

thanks for the info. i guess i will stick with the stock for now, untill i notice any problems. do any of you guys run lower temp thermostats? recomend them?

 

i run a low temp mugen thermostat and a mugen fan switch. on the hottest of days sitting in traffic and redline pulls my temps never go above 180

 

is it possible to have your temp to low?

 

no, our motors run best between 180-190

 

cool man. thanks for all your help.