What's the best radiator set up?, Most efficient set up for overall cooling, airflow ect... Options

[Fastcruisin914]

I am doing a Subaru conversion, and am looking for the best proven cooling system.

I have seen the Renegade Hybrid kit, worth the cost??? I have also seen some refer to Desert hybrid, are they still even around or doing 914 radiator kits, and if so are they any good?

So many factors like, front trunk radiator set ups, or rear truck set ups?

The angle of the radiator in the front truck, straight up against the front saving trunk space, or sitting back further and angled, or even in the floor of the trunk?

Also with the air flow, big cuts in the wheel wells, or many holes in the wheel wells, or venting through the trunk floor, or through the hood with the air going up, what is the best way for the air flow without taking from the vehicle structurally?

Pictures would be nice, or even something that may show the step by step process from start to finish with the cooling system install/fabrication.

[speed metal army]

I did a build thread a couple weeks ago.. Renegades cooling setup.
Some fairly decent photos of the rad setup.Cools nicely.

[bulitt]

Here's a good thread to look at-
Radiators/Fans

[76-914]

search suby conversions here and you'll see a few. Also, ruby914 has a nice set up. his build thread is over at clubnarp. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Fastcruisin914]

Thank You for the replies.

@Speed Metal Army - Yours is a Renegade setup, does Renegade provide a Good overall kit, as in;

Is Renegade kit free floating (i read that bolting directly causes issues) do they provide some kind of frame work and rubber mounting for free floating?

What about the Sheet metal shroud to guide the air into the radiator?

Is there a Overflow tank with Renegade?

Do they provide hose hangers for running the coolant hoses under the car?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out what all is in the Renegade kit from someone that purchased one, and if its worth the money. Or if I should go the cheaper route, which I am not a fabricator of any kind, so a difficult decision.

[Andyrew]

Rennegade kit is worth the money. Contact renegade for your questions.


From a guy that built his own cooling system..

[speed metal army]

Thank You for the replies.

@Speed Metal Army - Yours is a Renegade setup, does Renegade provide a Good overall kit, as in;

Is Renegade kit free floating (i read that bolting directly causes issues) do they provide some kind of frame work and rubber mounting for free floating?

What about the Sheet metal shroud to guide the air into the radiator?

Is there a Overflow tank with Renegade?

Do they provide hose hangers for running the coolant hoses under the car?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out what all is in the Renegade kit from someone that purchased one, and if its worth the money. Or if I should go the cheaper route, which I am not a fabricator of any kind, so a difficult decision.

Yes,its free floating.No shrounding to the rad in the front,but they provide everything to encapsulate the rad in the front trunk.They provide a filler neck,but no puke can(overflow tank).That can be found in a zillion different sizes/configurations at the FLAPS.The hangers they will provide,but your better off just getting them yourself.Look for 1.25" conduit straps.
Mine works well.It was easy.I have yet to duct the air from the bumper to the rad,but I will.

[mittelmotor]

I've got the Renegade system also, and I'm very satisfied with it. The radiator has a couple of pegs welded to the bottom that fit into special grommets in the aluminum floor that's provided, so that locates it on the lower edge. I elected to secure the floor on the forward edge of the trunk compartment in a couple of places, so the springiness of the rear edge of the floor (where those pegs are) allows the radiator to float nicely.

I kept the battery in the stock location and ran a 10-gauge wire up front for power. It seems that the dual fans spike the current draw at right around 40 amps when they kick in (somewhat less when they're running), so you'll want about 50-60 amps' worth of fuse protection. I had a 40-amp fuse in there for quite a while, but it ultimately blew, so that seems to be the threshold. The Spal fans are pretty quiet for the amount of air they move!

Here's a couple pics showing the aluminum trunk floor, some of the side shrouding, the grommets (blue) and the re-routed wiring harness.

[mittelmotor]

second pic:

[dakotaewing]

I have been doing a little research on this subject, trying to come up with some options... Found this today. It's a perfect fit, and about 1' wider than the Renegade set up. Some folks also make shroud's for this radiator, but the fans seem cheap. Cost for the radiator is about $120 shipped.

[Mike Bellis]

I have been doing a little research on this subject, trying to come up with some options... Found this today. It's a perfect fit, and about 1' wider than the Renegade set up. Some folks also make shroud's for this radiator, but the fans seem cheap. Cost for the radiator is about $120 shipped.

That does look like a good fit. Shrouds are important. Air will take the path of least resistance. If there is no shroud to force the air path through the radiator, You will have cooling problems. Fans are not enough.

I wish I pics of my first conversion. I had a custom radiator made to lie flat on the bottom of the trunk. I used the old A/C outlet on the floor. I made a shelf that doubled as the shroud to take bumper air through and down. It worked great! I had the filler neck extended to the highest point possible in front of the gas tank. Overall it cooled great and I had space for small luggage. I carpeted the shelf to look nice. The only downfall to this method was on dirt roads. It had a fan mounted under the radiator. When it turned on, it would blow dirt from under the car. This would also piss off any spectators close by (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

Now I run an aluminum rad, tilted back. I think it's 29"x16". I run a large Setrab oil cooler in front of it, 17"x13". Keeps the temps around 160 on the freeway, without the use of the fan. Fans kick on in traffic only via the thermostatically controlled relays. The radiator is fully shrouded to the bumper. All air has to go through it.

[Dr. Roger]

I believe Renegade has done some research and found a dual pass better than a single pass. Radiator shown is a single pass, right?

I have been doing a little research on this subject, trying to come up with some options... Found this today. It's a perfect fit, and about 1' wider than the Renegade set up. Some folks also make shroud's for this radiator, but the fans seem cheap. Cost for the radiator is about $120 shipped.

[dakotaewing]

Yum, undetermined...
Labeling states "Dual Two Core Aluminum Radiator" -

I believe Renegade has done some research and found a dual pass better than a single pass. Radiator shown is a single pass, right?

I have been doing a little research on this subject, trying to come up with some options... Found this today. It's a perfect fit, and about 1' wider than the Renegade set up. Some folks also make shroud's for this radiator, but the fans seem cheap. Cost for the radiator is about $120 shipped.

[matthepcat]

I run a Pantera radiator core in mine with custom inlet and outlet locations made by Fluidine. Just called them up, and they made it.

Runs at 180, as that is my thermostat type. You don't want your car running too cool.

[pete]

I have been doing a little research on this subject, trying to come up with some options... Found this today. It's a perfect fit, and about 1' wider than the Renegade set up. Some folks also make shroud's for this radiator, but the fans seem cheap. Cost for the radiator is about $120 shipped.

Where did you find it? Link?

[dakotaewing]

Ebay. Search 00-05 Toyota Celica Aluminum Radiator

I have been doing a little research on this subject, trying to come up with some options... Found this today. It's a perfect fit, and about 1' wider than the Renegade set up. Some folks also make shroud's for this radiator, but the fans seem cheap. Cost for the radiator is about $120 shipped.

Where did you find it? Link?

[BIGKAT_83]

Ebay. Search 00-05 Toyota Celica Aluminum Radiator

I have been doing a little research on this subject, trying to come up with some options... Found this today. It's a perfect fit, and about 1' wider than the Renegade set up. Some folks also make shroud's for this radiator, but the fans seem cheap. Cost for the radiator is about $120 shipped.

Where did you find it? Link?

Here ya go A celica radiator. This is the one Thom is talking about. This is going in a Subaru conversion that I'm helping D914 with. I really like the way this mounts up. The welds look good and seems to be a bargin at the price with fans and shroud.
The white in the floor is a paper templet we are using for the bottom,

[Black22]

Can't believe no one else has said it yet!

914's don't have radiators! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Carry on.

[dakotaewing]

Bob -

Couple of questions...

How long has he had the radiator?

What do you think of the fans? (They seem kinda cheap...)
How much cfm are they putting out? The specs really did not address whether
the amount was individually, or as a pair...
Do you think this rad would handle cooling for an LS1?


Thanks!

[DBCooper]

As a general comment I don't think you need to cut out nearly as much of the front panel as a lot of people think. My car's not here so i can't measure, but the opening in the bumper is only like 22x3" and I can pound the turbo engine as long as I want without ever seeing 200 degrees. I've had the fans on two or three times, but every time sitting in traffic, never while driving.