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.

[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.