Smaller Radiator (half size), any disadvantiges?

[DC2-PWR]

Hey folks,

I'm keen on getting a half size aftermarket radiator for my B18C2 Integra. Reason being is because of the new headers I want to fit, will not fit because the fans are on the way. That means, spending $200 for 2 slim fans, and another $200 for wiring them up, that was a rough figure, it could be more.

So I was wondering, even though the there are radiators half the size, is it better than my oem radiator? Would it still keep the the car to run cool in longer trips? Any disadvantiges?

Picture example
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/619/img01932.th.jpg

Any other alternatives appart from buying new radiator? I've thought of trimming my oem fans, but it would still not fit.

[Mr.Brightside]

i ran that radiator in my teg, didn't last more than 2 laps before i had to cool it down. also had heating issues whilst running aircon during summer.

[mooshie]

Um, fans are 2 wires each, more like $5 for crimp connectors and heatshrink and $5 for a crimping tool if you havent got one already. You are about right for a pair of good quality slim fans at $200

[DC2-PWR]

Um, fans are 2 wires each, more like $5 for crimp connectors and heatshrink and $5 for a crimping tool if you havent got one already. You are about right for a pair of good quality slim fans at $200

I wish man :(,

999 Automotive, 101 motorsport, Hi-power racing, B-rad preformance, all said no I can't use my oem wiring, I have to re-wire the whole thing because these fans have different voltage, and current readings and the oem wires dont suit it.

[Vvvtec]

Hey man,

I thought you can just cut a notch out of the plastic on the stock radiator?

[DC2-PWR]

Hey man,

I thought you can just cut a notch out of the plastic on the stock radiator?

Hey Alexzexxezexy :p,

Thats what I thought aswell, then the guy who works at the exhaust shop showed me that it won't be possible.

[Vvvtec]

Haha :D Well that's weird, I always thought the plastic could be chopped away!

[DLO01]

I wish man :(,

999 Automotive, 101 motorsport, Hi-power racing, B-rad preformance, all said no I can't use my oem wiring, I have to re-wire the whole thing because these fans have different voltage, and current readings and the oem wires dont suit it.

Its just 2 wires. Just cut the old one off and solder to new one or plug terminals.

Full length radiator generally will have better cooling as theres more surface area to air, particular to the oncoming air. On the street a half size will work fine, plus with this you have the added advantage of the fan drawing air through the whole radiator instead of just half the side of a full size radiator.

[DC2-PWR]

Thank you Deano!!!!!!!!!! Man I owe you my life.

Great news guys, my header is on YAAAY. All thanks to me :p

[NightKids]

Umm I think I know which headers you're getting, the RMF replicas. I just had them installed and I told the exhaust guy to shave my radiator and he did it perfectly, no extra charge. You shouldn't be paying like a few hundred bucks on slim radiators. If you'd like a pic just shoot me a PM. =)

[Vvvtec]

Show us all! Id like to see this, as I'm contemplating a set of these headers too. And I knew it could be don't by shaving the plastic shroud!

[NightKids]

haha when i first told the exhaust guy to do it he sounded hesistant but then I threw in the "apparently any competent exhaust place can do it" then he just got all determined and shaved it nicely...

Remind me tomorrow cause i'm not running out there right now in the cold! Plus it's dark anyway, prefer natural lighting.. haha

[GSi_PSi]

take a chuck off the radiator shroud it wont actually hit the fan blade itself, ive got one on my integra. i actually cracked it off by hand then cleaned it up a bit .

[DC2-PWR]

You guys are so luck man, my fan blade hits the header just abit. I tried pushing the radiator foward but still no luck,

Going autobarn/999 auto today and getting a slim fan. Any brands in mind?? Not cheaping out on this.

Bad quality but I made it fit. Exhaust shop spent 2-3hrs, and they still couldn't fit it. F'n noobs
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183618_10150150705165490_670380489_8586869_7445307 _n.jpg

[DLO01]

Davies Craig Slim Fans. Excellent quality
http://www.daviescraig.com.au/
Autobarn expensive. Order through supercheap.

[DC2-PWR]

Thanks again Deano!

[DC2-PWR]

Just some pictures for future reference, if anyone needs help fitted this header and is abit clueless
Moiz_gunit_@hotmail.com, and I'll do my best to help.

Cut story short, to fit the RMF Kiddracing headers I found this very helpful!!

couple install tidbits
1. a/c fan shroud needs to be burtalized
2. a/c fan will touch the header till its melted (makes a really annoying noise til the fan blade melts
3. primary o2 sensor was way to short had to extend it
4. it comes with a weird double donut pretty gay
5. def not possible to install with a stock cat without modification
6. easier to install from down bellow
7. it eliminates the use of the header bracket under the car
8. replace the spring bolts to avoid stress on the header (I contemplated a flex pipe (still am

Only thing I would like to add, is get the 12inch radiator fan. Bolt it up onto the radiator, it only took me 15mins and I'm no auto sparky. And this fan works much better than OEM one, so thats another +1 (Y).
Heres a few pictures,

Costed - $122.90
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190332_10150151146660490_670380489_8590368_5907462 _n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196352_10150151146770490_670380489_8590370_2096952 _n.jpg

Cut off old relay plug from old fan,
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189364_10150151146825490_670380489_8590371_5669562 _n.jpg

Join them to new fan
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190147_10150151146920490_670380489_8590373_1820272 _n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199166_10150151147065490_670380489_8590375_3274008 _n.jpg

Mind the other fan color, I'm trying to get rid of it right at this moment.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183724_10150151147260490_670380489_8590379_2245184 _n.jpg

[mooshie]

Fair enough that the shops would say that they need to rewire for fans. They are a business and as such are responsible for what the give you, if it fails in any way then they will take the blame.

good on you for getting it in there, can you post up some pics? would like to see exactly how much room there is given that you need to trim the radiator!

[DC2-PWR]

Fair enough that the shops would say that they need to rewire for fans. They are a business and as such are responsible for what the give you, if it fails in any way then they will take the blame.

good on you for getting it in there, can you post up some pics? would like to see exactly how much room there is given that you need to trim the radiator!

Yeah but most business I know are pure evil Ripp offs. They give crap quotes and quality of there job is honestly like a noob 1st day apprentice has done it. Only the good business's are when you've seen their work, I figured that you can't walk into a shop and spend 1g and expect it to be 110%, because you haven't seen their work, how they do it.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196352_10150151146770490_670380489_8590370_2096952 _n.jpg
I cut a lot off from the old fan on the left, but it still touched my fan blade. However, some people got away with the issue. It's probably my engine mounts, because I do need to change them asap.

[NightKids]

As promised here are some pics of my shaved fan that clears the headers...

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/2728/dscn1632.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5969/dscn1633g.jpg

[DC2-PWR]

Thats extremely close

[NightKids]

Yeah it is pretty close...

[Alexx]

Good stuff with the fan.

For reference, i have run a half size koyo core on a b16a and a b18cr with stock thermostat, stock fan switch, stock fan, and oem coolant, and never had a problem at the track even during extended sessions in QLD summer weather

[Bludger]

Have you tried mounting the fan at the front?

[DC2-PWR]

I thought that but mainly all those bugs and stuff go in from the bumper, and rain water etc.

So I thought it wouldn't be a good idea.

[Bludger]

I would do that rather than have a half size.

If you can cut the fan's frame to fit then that's probably my best option.