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Radiator delimna

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On the race cars we use the VW rabbit radiator, the Valeo unit weights like 5 pounds and cools better than any radiator I ever used in the race cars. It would be a fairly big job to do on a street, car, all the factory shrouding is gone, but they cool like nobody's business. Here one on one of the race cars we built.

www.acmespeedshop.com/_images/nonoseLS.jpg
 
I think I could squeeze a 13x22 radiator in there, but it would be VERY tight. (esp by the headlight buckets. This is a bugeye)
 
That is a nice looking car Hap.
 
Thanks Jack. It's amazing how well the VW radiators cool the Spridgets, I think someone could do a nice job of one on a street car. They don't even need any duct work they cool so well. They are getting hard to find in the Valeo aluminum center core unit, but they are only $100 new.
 
Trevor

I had a stock downflow recored with extra cores.
You might even be able to get it in aluminum.
The crossflow vs downflow are identicle in cooling properties according to a thermodynamics engineer on the Spridgets list (Ron) he did a comparison test a couple years ago. The crossflow is a cheaper mad radiator.
Also I am not sure but I think most of the repro rads come from china.
Even my special recored rad was not enough to cool my 1275 with the Speedwell nose, too small of an air intake.
So I went to the Geo Metro rad and it runs at 170 all the time.
 
I've all the same questions, so I have read these posts with a lot of interest. Is the Geo radiator a good fit. I'd love to see pictures. I just want to solve any cooling issues this next summer now. Thanks.
 
Testing
 

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Wow, that was easy.
 
still want to see the Geo rad - please - also, some dimensions (of the rabbit & geo rads) would be helpful. My rad needs replacing/ recoring and last time I checked VB didn't carry them any more nor (I think) did Moss. I'm not so anxious about originality that I wouln't consider these.
 
I would only recommend the Rabbit radiator if you're willing to to cut and weld both steel and aluminum, the front end bodywork would have to be removed, it's a fairly big job. Notice the picture of the race car link from my website, it has no radiator factory duct work, all that stuff is attached to front valance and has to be removed. On the race cars you're getting rid of as much uneeded structure as possible to save weight, so you're already into a big job anyway. If you're still interested email me and I'll send you more detailed pics of the race cars, otherwise I would look at the Geo radiator, I think I remember seeing it awhile back and it works more with what is already there, rather than an elborate re-do.
 
one more time?
So where is this "I want to preview my post" box I am supposed to check? I see preview reply, that don't work.
Why is it so hard for me to post a picture on this forum?
But I do have a picture of the Geo rad, everybody is welcome to come over and see it on my computer or in my car cause I can't figure out how to post a picture.
 

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You found it, heh. not in the quick reply, in the regular reply.
 
could you please measure it? (approx) It looks as though it sits higher than a regular rad. Is this so? How is that for hood clearance?
 
Looks like the same height from here. Look at the water hose.
 
the Metro uses 4 differnt rads depending on the years. the early pieces are only one row. the later pieces are 2 row.

Top hose inlet is drivers left so u have to o-clock the thermo housing. The bottom outlet is too far inboard and might need surgery or a "s" hose.

Downflows all...15" wide and about 18" tall.....cooling area is 14 x 14 = 196 sq. "

the earlier rads are shorter by about....1"

Stock Spridget is about 168 sq. in area.

Short answer.....waste of time and modification.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Short answer.....waste of time and modification.

[/ QUOTE ]

No mods at all. Direct drop in with a L brackets (Ok there are the mods)
Stock downflow hose fits perfect, cross flow upper hose fits perfect but you do need the later t/stat cover that points left but that is a direct bolt on too.
Fits, works, cheap at the junk yard and comes with an electric fan.
I did mine for $25.
 
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