Aluminum Radiator

[blkcorvair]

Anyone seen or bought an Aluminum Radiator for a 1500 Midg? Even after cleaning mine, and re-shrouding my engine bay to create more low pressure I still ran hatter than I like last week. I could re-core mine with more capacity but for the $400 price tag Id like to look for a new high performance replacement first.

 

[motofiaccone]

My se7en puts down 130 wheel hp, and I cool it with a '90s civic radiator. They are extremely light, cheap and effective...almost too effective in my se7en. I used the aluminum core, plastic caps, but for the midget, I'll likely use the all aluminum versions.

This might be of use to you.

--chris

 

[blkcorvair]

thats one Im looking at in ebay now. Definatally cheap. Need to do some more fab to fitmnet tho

 

[bugimike]

I'm using one on my 1275 out of a 77 VW Scirocco! Works fine!

 

[regularman]

How come the original radiator did not have a shroud? I got a good used radiator for my midget and it still like to run hotter than I like and I have been having fuel problems with my weber when its hot.

 

[Morris]

Scott,

What year is your radiator out of? The 75 radiator has known design flaws that make it pretty much useless. My '79, on the other hand, will run at whatever temp I set the thermo and fan switch at. Even in this ridiculous heat wave going on in Texas.

My car is very mildly "hopped up." And my radiator has never been serviced beyond flushing and me patching a few holes I put in it.

I am only throwing this out to suggest that the issue may not be your radiator.

 

[jlaird]

Orginal Bugeye did not have a radiator shroud. They could not keep em cool and added one after a few months.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I wrote this up before here, but here goes agin, I get rid of the original radiator shrouding and use VW radiators in my Midget races, it's 77-80 VW x-flow Rabbit w/o AC, I use the Valeo brand, plastic side tanks, with a aluminum core, weights between 4-5 pounds, cost a $100, it pretty popular conversion with the SCCA guys. Her's some pictures of the set, best cooling radiator I ever run, runs so cool you don't even need duct work.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Here's another view.

 

[Morris]

drooooool....

 

[jlaird]

Shoot Morris that does not even begin to express my thoughts.

 

[regularman]

I need to get down there and check out your shop, man that looks like some cool (expensive) stuff.

 

[RocknTommy]

77-80 VW x-flow Rabbit w/o AC, I use the Valeo brand, plastic side tanks, with a aluminum core, weights between 4-5 pounds, cost a $100, it pretty popular conversion with the SCCA guys. Her's some pictures of the set, best cooling radiator I ever run, runs so cool you don't even need duct work.

This is great info!
Thanks
Yes, 75 Midgets have cooling issues.
Looks like this conversion will do the trick.

 

[blkcorvair]

It is a 75 radiator but to my understanding the cooling issues associated with 1975 were the lack of a suitable Expansion / Overflow setup. Which I have completely revised. I never heard that the 75 radiator was suspect.

 

[bugimike]

Gee Hap, I knew I was doing something right with that 77 VW radiator (I've been using it for about 10 years!!)!! Never had a problem since I put it in. My mounting in a BE is a little different (I had to angle it back towards the engine for bonnet clearance) and not as purty, but by gum it sure does work and, as you say, without any shrouding!!! :thumbsup:

 

[Branson]

anyone have pics of the VW radiator installed in a spridget with the original front sheet metal? I know Hap said he removes the original shroud, im just curious if there are any other modifications to the front sheet metal that are required.

 

[tosoutherncars]

I've got a pic of a 77 vw rad installed... but it's installed in my 77 vw!

 

[blkcorvair]

Branson, Pretty sure you have to mod the sheet metal somewhere. It is quitye a bit larger than original.

 

[bugimike]

On a Bugeye (which I know is really quite different!!) all I had to do was remove the rad. support brackets and fabricate new ones for the new rad.!