cooling question for SR owners - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Yoshi · 11-20-2002, 10:57 AM

Okay, for those of you with a SR installed and a FMIC... do you have any cooling probs with the stock radiator?  I've noticed quite a few people install the Koyo aluminum radiator and/or electric fans, while others do not...

Is this just a safeguard and one more mod to increase how far you can boost?  Or would you have overheating problems with the stock radiator (since a FMIC will block a good portion of it's direct air contact).  I'm talking about boost range just slightly above stock, maybe 9-12 range.  Thanks guys.

HippoSleek · 11-20-2002, 11:36 AM

*not an sr owner*

The US spec radiator is smaller and the SR runs hotter, so a 240 w/ an SR tends to overheat - FM or SM.  The other reason for aftermarket radiators is to get the hoses well lined up.  

There are 3 solutions that I know of 1) Al rad.; 2) get SR rad. out of a clip; or 3) run KA auto tranny rad. (it is larger, and you can use the tranny cooler for an oil cooler).

xhdriver · 11-20-2002, 04:29 PM

actually the stock sr rad from my clip was just as big as the ka's. i live in phoenix az and finished my install in the summer, it was 100+ degrees every day and if i did a stron gpull through the gears the car would heat up even with the electric fans. the stock sr rad was puny, so i got the koyo and the car has never heated up since.

note: i had my front mount and dual elec fans installed since the beginning. a stock rad on a sr running more boost is risky business imo.

Steeles · 11-20-2002, 09:19 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (xhdriver @ Nov. 20 2002,5:29)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">actually the stock sr rad from my clip was just as big as the ka's. i live in phoenix az and finished my install in the summer, it was 100+ degrees every day and if i did a stron gpull through the gears the car would heat up even with the electric fans. the stock sr rad was puny, so i got the koyo and the car has never heated up since.

note: i had my front mount and dual elec fans installed since the beginning. a stock rad on a sr running more boost is risky business imo.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
yeah my S14 KA rad was same size as the one in my clip I think the only one smaller was early S13s.  anyway i did mine over the summer, while not as hot as Arizona we had some 90 degree scorchers and never a hiccup from the car.  I've got a single 14" electric fan pulling on mine and thats it.  i just as of yesterday put on a greddy 1.3 bar Padiator cap.  I'll get a new radiator this spring when I get some more money and throw round two of the power mods at the SR.  right now Im still running 7psi.  still get some good directed air from the grill between the headlights. (mines hollowed out too)  I may fab up a piece to cover all that so the air is FORCED through the rad also.

HippoSleek · 11-21-2002, 06:37 AM

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':blush:'>

Sorry guys - I guess that was last year's myth.  I remember a lot of discussion about that being the case.  In any event, some background:

FA Overheat link

Confusion cleared

Yoshi · 11-21-2002, 03:34 PM

Hmm... so the answer is split... I know I'm more at risk for overheating, being in a desert climate... it gets down to 0 degrees F (and below) here in winter, and well over 100F in summer, so I guess I should be doing the new aluminum radiator and electric fan thing huh?

On fans... anyone know what kind of performance diff there is tween dual smaller elec. fans vs. one larger one?

DarkRaptor42 · 11-21-2002, 07:06 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Yoshi @ Nov. 21 2002,2:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">On fans... anyone know what kind of performance diff there is tween dual smaller elec. fans vs. one larger one?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
this is just my understanding of the dual electris fans, why get two small ones side by side when you can get two small ones for front and back? Also why not just get two big ones, one on front and one in back? They only cost a little more. From what ive seen the smaller ones cool a wider area but with less air while a big one blows more air in a concentrated area. Im not sure but this just occured to me, couldnt with two smaller dual fans get on to suck and one to blow? or is that what they do? If thats the case I may have been foolish in getting the larger fan.

Steeles · 11-22-2002, 08:37 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DarkRaptor42 @ Nov. 21 2002,8:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Yoshi @ Nov. 21 2002,2:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">On fans... anyone know what kind of performance diff there is tween dual smaller elec. fans vs. one larger one?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
this is just my understanding of the dual electris fans, why get two small ones side by side when you can get two small ones for front and back? Also why not just get two big ones, one on front and one in back? They only cost a little more. From what ive seen the smaller ones cool a wider area but with less air while a big one blows more air in a concentrated area. Im not sure but this just occured to me, couldnt with two smaller dual fans get on to suck and one to blow? or is that what they do? If thats the case I may have been foolish in getting the larger fan.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
performance diff its pretty much all about the CFMs.  kinda like your turbo.  the more air it moves the better.  aas for one big VS two Small.  you'll probably be better with two samll ones.  the small ones are gonna spin faster and move more CFMs over a smaller area faster.  a big one may move the same cfm but not nearly as fast over a bigger area.  I hope that last part makes sense.....stick two small pullers on the back of your radiator and a large pusher on the front.  have one or two hooked to your temp sensor and you got enough fans to cool yyou no mater where you are <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

nrcooled · 11-24-2002, 09:02 AM

On my SR I am running 12-13psi on the stock SMIC and 240sx radiator and have never had an overheating problem (besides the time my damn fan didn't come on while racing @ VIR).  Also, the SR rad is the same size different outlet placement.  A FMIC will help cooling as long as you are running fan(s) on you radiator.  

Just my .02 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

11-20-2002, 10:57 AM	#1
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Okay, for those of you with a SR installed and a FMIC... do you have any cooling probs with the stock radiator?  I've noticed quite a few people install the Koyo aluminum radiator and/or electric fans, while others do not... Is this just a safeguard and one more mod to increase how far you can boost?  Or would you have overheating problems with the stock radiator (since a FMIC will block a good portion of it's direct air contact).  I'm talking about boost range just slightly above stock, maybe 9-12 range.  Thanks guys. __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

11-20-2002, 04:29 PM	#3
xhdriver Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 6 Posts: 273 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	actually the stock sr rad from my clip was just as big as the ka's. i live in phoenix az and finished my install in the summer, it was 100+ degrees every day and if i did a stron gpull through the gears the car would heat up even with the electric fans. the stock sr rad was puny, so i got the koyo and the car has never heated up since. note: i had my front mount and dual elec fans installed since the beginning. a stock rad on a sr running more boost is risky business imo. __________________

11-20-2002, 09:19 PM	#4
Steeles Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 7th layer of hell, special pit of anger Age: 49 Posts: 3,785 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (xhdriver @ Nov. 20 2002,5:29)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">actually the stock sr rad from my clip was just as big as the ka's. i live in phoenix az and finished my install in the summer, it was 100+ degrees every day and if i did a stron gpull through the gears the car would heat up even with the electric fans. the stock sr rad was puny, so i got the koyo and the car has never heated up since. note: i had my front mount and dual elec fans installed since the beginning. a stock rad on a sr running more boost is risky business imo.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> yeah my S14 KA rad was same size as the one in my clip I think the only one smaller was early S13s.  anyway i did mine over the summer, while not as hot as Arizona we had some 90 degree scorchers and never a hiccup from the car.  I've got a single 14" electric fan pulling on mine and thats it.  i just as of yesterday put on a greddy 1.3 bar Padiator cap.  I'll get a new radiator this spring when I get some more money and throw round two of the power mods at the SR.  right now Im still running 7psi.  still get some good directed air from the grill between the headlights. (mines hollowed out too)  I may fab up a piece to cover all that so the air is FORCED through the rad also. __________________ Keeping it Godzira bishes. So I murdered another turbo

11-21-2002, 07:06 PM	#7
DarkRaptor42 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lodi CA Age: 41 Posts: 542 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Yoshi @ Nov. 21 2002,2:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">On fans... anyone know what kind of performance diff there is tween dual smaller elec. fans vs. one larger one?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> this is just my understanding of the dual electris fans, why get two small ones side by side when you can get two small ones for front and back? Also why not just get two big ones, one on front and one in back? They only cost a little more. From what ive seen the smaller ones cool a wider area but with less air while a big one blows more air in a concentrated area. Im not sure but this just occured to me, couldnt with two smaller dual fans get on to suck and one to blow? or is that what they do? If thats the case I may have been foolish in getting the larger fan. __________________ 04 WRX STi 90 Sil- Camino R.I.P. AE86 20v MS R.I.P. KA-T www.209forums.com

11-22-2002, 08:37 AM	#8
Steeles Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 7th layer of hell, special pit of anger Age: 49 Posts: 3,785 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DarkRaptor42 @ Nov. 21 2002,8:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Yoshi @ Nov. 21 2002,2:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">On fans... anyone know what kind of performance diff there is tween dual smaller elec. fans vs. one larger one?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> this is just my understanding of the dual electris fans, why get two small ones side by side when you can get two small ones for front and back? Also why not just get two big ones, one on front and one in back? They only cost a little more. From what ive seen the smaller ones cool a wider area but with less air while a big one blows more air in a concentrated area. Im not sure but this just occured to me, couldnt with two smaller dual fans get on to suck and one to blow? or is that what they do? If thats the case I may have been foolish in getting the larger fan.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> performance diff its pretty much all about the CFMs.  kinda like your turbo.  the more air it moves the better.  aas for one big VS two Small.  you'll probably be better with two samll ones.  the small ones are gonna spin faster and move more CFMs over a smaller area faster.  a big one may move the same cfm but not nearly as fast over a bigger area.  I hope that last part makes sense.....stick two small pullers on the back of your radiator and a large pusher on the front.  have one or two hooked to your temp sensor and you got enough fans to cool yyou no mater where you are <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ Keeping it Godzira bishes. So I murdered another turbo

11-20-2002, 11:36 AM	#2
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	not an sr owner The US spec radiator is smaller and the SR runs hotter, so a 240 w/ an SR tends to overheat - FM or SM.  The other reason for aftermarket radiators is to get the hoses well lined up.   There are 3 solutions that I know of 1) Al rad.; 2) get SR rad. out of a clip; or 3) run KA auto tranny rad. (it is larger, and you can use the tranny cooler for an oil cooler).

11-21-2002, 06:37 AM	#5
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':blush:'> Sorry guys - I guess that was last year's myth.  I remember a lot of discussion about that being the case.  In any event, some background: FA Overheat link Confusion cleared

11-21-2002, 03:34 PM	#6
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Hmm... so the answer is split... I know I'm more at risk for overheating, being in a desert climate... it gets down to 0 degrees F (and below) here in winter, and well over 100F in summer, so I guess I should be doing the new aluminum radiator and electric fan thing huh? On fans... anyone know what kind of performance diff there is tween dual smaller elec. fans vs. one larger one?

11-24-2002, 09:02 AM	#9
nrcooled Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Turn 8 'bout to get rolled by a SC'd ITR Age: 46 Posts: 1,849 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	On my SR I am running 12-13psi on the stock SMIC and 240sx radiator and have never had an overheating problem (besides the time my damn fan didn't come on while racing @ VIR).  Also, the SR rad is the same size different outlet placement.  A FMIC will help cooling as long as you are running fan(s) on you radiator.   Just my .02 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ '91 hatch w/ SR Sold; '03 Evo Sold 401 HP; '03 MS Protege sold; '00 Evo 6.5 TME Sold 300HP