I just removed the a/c system and found my radiator fins were deteriorating on my '89 Hatch. In preparation for the eventual b16a swap this fall I wound up buying the FF Dynamics radiator kit for the 88-91 Hatch. Dimensions on it are 27 inches long x 16 1/2 inches tall x 3 inches wide. It fits fine width and length however it is way too tall - a good 1 1/2 inches too tall so I can't get the hood to close without hitting the radiator top, thus it won't latch. I can't lower it anymore as it is sitting right on top of the front crossmember.

Has anyone put this kit in an EF before? Link to the product website = http://www.ffdynamics.com/civic88-91b.html The quality of the kit is very high and for a very good price (they even have free shipping right now)...the fans run very, very quiet and pull through a lot of CFM and the whole kit comes with a 2 year warranty. I did send an email to the company and ask them their recommendation as they guaranteed stock fitment.

 

Does anyone have the overall dimensions of the stock Civic radiator (including the end tanks and not just the core). I tossed mine before I got the new one (the old one was pretty bad) - I'm working with the MFGR to figure out how to remedy the situation but they'd like to know the stock dimensions.

I also read that there's a 27 inch and a 22 inch radiator in the Civics (didn't know that there was a difference). Mine was the 27 inch.

 

cricket

Well since no one has tried one of these out I'll give my experience on the kit.

About the product: FF Dynamics makes one very nice radiator - very nice welds / no epoxy - beefy and sturdy built. The fans are slimline and mount right on the radiator surface itself with silicon pads - they pull a heck of a lot of CFM and use little amps as they are ball bearing. The kit also comes with a controller which you can simply hook up to the stock relay to run them or choose the temperature you want them to turn on at as they have their own temperature probe.

Unfortunately the 88-91 kit does not fit an 88-91 Civic / CRX (even though they said they've sold over 100 of this exact kit with no problems...Unless my '89 DX has a different front subframe and cross member - I'm not entirely sure that can be true). The major problem is that it is too wide at the bottom 3" across the board and with several threaded mounting holes that won't allow the radiator to drop in. The drainage bolt will also hit the lower subframe and likely break as it's a plastic cap. The bottom mount tabs on the radiator do not mount to stock location. It is also 16 1/2 inch high versus 15 1/2 inch space you have or the hood will hit the top of the radiator.

Bottom width at widest


Bottom width most narrow point


Bottom mount brackets 15 inches


FF Dynamics radiator bottom mounts 19 1/2 inches (top mounts also not the same)


Fitted all the way down


Stock height from bottom mount

 

They send you the wrong thing?? Let us know how they handle this.

 

I'm not sure yet. I'll update this thread on the progress of this issue. I sent the radiator back to them today - they are working with me and seem to an honest business. They will refund me my money back if it doesn't fit but I'm actually keeping the fans and controller and will use with another radiator I will buy. Need one anyway as I'm going to put in an b16a2 later this summer or fall.

 

I was reading the site. Does it use the stock mounting locations? I know when I did my EG 1/2 radiator conversion as I was boosting the car, I had to weld the tabs for the radiator on the underside of the core support because the radiator sat to high and the hood did not shut correctly.

It also says in the disclaimer about the dimensions changing without notice.

From my findings stock is 26 3/4" x 16 1/8" x 5/8"

Also according to the site, the EG alum radiator they have is the same height as the EF full size, which is not correct as the EG's are taller.

 

I wound up getting some more information. I talked to another tech guy who sells Mishimoto and he explained that the front cross member / radiator support on the CRX is different from a Civic HB and Sedan. The CRX has a lot more clearance for larger wider radiators than the latter (this includes radiator width and length). I now am noticing that aftermarket kits note that they fit the CRX only. I didn't know this difference until now.

From what I was told for those with Hatches and Sedans you can upgrade to larger radiators by buying the half size EG and doing some minor fabrication to fit (however this affects those who want to run a/c with the secondary fan). But from an aftermarket standpoint there is little in full size aftermarket larger capacity radiators for these cars except an oem fitment.

 

I have a full sized griffin alum radiator. It fits in the stock locations, works great. Check into that if you want a full radiator. There are decent amount of companies that make a direct fit for an EF with a full rad. C&R makes one, Fluidyne, and Griffin are the ones that come to mind.

Does it say it only fits a CRX on the FF Dynamics site because I didn't see it. It says for 88-91 Civic which would steer me to think it means Sedan/Hatch before CRX.

 

It does only say 88-91 Civic (does not denote CRX only) on FF Dynamics website - which is why I ordered it (it is a very nice kit). Anway, I wound up picking up an EG half radiator as these were more common and can easily be adjusted to fit. I didn't know about the other direct fitments for our cars. I am going to add an oil cooler on the other side in the open spot so I should get good cooling. I will be tracking the car occasionally so want good cooling. I removed A/C so don't need a full size I guess anyway.

 

Well I tried an EG half radiator - got to test fit one and it still was too tall. The only way to get it to fit was to angle it forward making it look weird. I wound up just getting a new oem radiator and adding on 12 inch low profile ball bearing fans. It pulls tons more CFM through than the stock fans did.

Moral of this thread: Take note those who have EF Hatches and Sedans. CRX radiators will not fit b/c of differences in the front. EG / EK half rads will fit so long as you angle the top towards the engine. There are some aftermarket radiators for the non CRX Civics but double check these to make sure you don't have to go through what I did.

 

The EG half radiator does need to be tilted if you are using it with a stock crossmember. I have an Innovative crossmember and it fits under the hood as the mounting is below the core support. Glad you got everything worked out though!

 

Hmm - I couldn't get mine to fit properly with the stock crossmember. Did you have to cut off the lower mounting tabs? I also didn't know you could change out the crossmember which might give you more clearance. Any pictures of one installed? Thanks.