On Hybrid Honda their is an article stating that a 96+ Civic EX 4-Door w/automatic has a beefier dual-core radiator. How can you tell how many cores it has. Has anyone seen this in person. I want to know cause it's hot as hell in AZ and I want a bigger radiator with my B18 swap.

 

Im not sure about the dual core thing, but still, I dont think that a dual core radiator from any civic is going to be enough to cool a B18. Seeing that you have a CX (probably no AC) just pick up a Integra radiator make some small mods and stick it in, its better to double the size of your radiator than a dual core. The instructions on how to do this should be on the hybrid page

 

Getting an Integra radiator in a Civic will have to move OR remove the a/C condenser.
Lots of work and might amount to the cost of a Fluidine radiator.

Any other inputs will be welcome as I am thinking about doing the same thing.

 

i don't know if it is dual core but when had a 93 cx i replaced my old radiator with one from a automatic and it was definately bigger and thicker all around. It just barely fit it the stock location, but i don't know if the automatic raditors are dual core though.

 

Del Sol VTEC radiator is dual core, that is what I'm running with my B16...I bought an OEM replacement for like 135 bucks...its sweet...bolts in perfectly.

 

yes some EX/EX-V rads for the autos were dual core, defiantly worth the money....

its funny but a Si/SiRs all come with lsingle core rad, haven't seen any problems with those yet....cooling system must be very efficient then

 

Ummm.

The stock cooler on my CX cooled a B18C for 6 months. No problems. It MIGHT not be enough to cool a B18 under racing conditions, but it did fine for a long highway run (325 miles).

If you don't have (or want to keep) AC, an Integra radiator will fit, but the dual core (you can tell by the thickness) radiator from the EX or DelSol VTEC is good, but new they cost more than a massive Fluidyne, which is a better buy for the single side rad.

Shawn

 

Negative on the cost for relocations!!!
All you need is longer brackets to mount the A/C condensor behind the full size Teg radiator. Basically about 60 bux if you have to purchase the drill as well. Or if you already have the drill then it will cost 20 bux in parts to make new brakets to relocate the condesner further back.

 

Okay, if you've got AC, which i think most newer models did come with, or were added to at some point then your best shot would be to just get a replacement del-sol dual core radiator. If not, the integra radiator will fit in all you have to do is cut and reweld one of the lower mounts so that the radiator fits properly. Although, i've heard that the dual core del-sol radiator works better than the integra rad.

Don't the automatic radiators have lines to them for transmission cooling? I'm not sure if you can use one in a manual application.

 

I'll see what temprature it runs at then think about an EX fatty radiator, from Honda it was only $180 so... thats a lot less then Fludine. Thanks for all the help.

 

Nope, think about it. the radiator flows hot water through it and then the heat is obsorbed by the fins, the air then blows through the fins (which transfers the heat to the air) if you have a dual core then the secondary core would be cooled by the heated air from the first core. A wider, non-stacked radiator is better at cooling then a stacked radiator.


Basically they are double radiators, top half cools the coolant and the bottom half cools the tranny fluid, if you create a loop between the coolant output and the tranny imput on the radiator then connect the coolant output hose to the tranny output you have made that radiator bigger. Kinda a half *** poor mans way of doing things.

 

I've had multiple hybrids ranging from Civic CX to Civic DX to CRX, etc..
I have NEVER had a motor overheat on me. Stock radiator.
My last "mildly" built motor w/ stock radiator was making 188/133 at the wheels and this was using a stock CX radiator. I drag raced it every weekend.

I recently went with a Fluidyne on my CX, but then again, I think a 85mm 12.6:1 compression B20 makes a little more heat than a B18C. LOL.

 

damn, I shoulda bought one of those. Oh well, now I have a nice fat GSR radiator.