Discussion
Evening all
It wouldn't surprise me if the radiator in my '5 hasn't been changed in 20 years, so I was thinking I'd replace it (and the coolant) with a nice shiny new one, especially having boost 'n all. It's OK in this weather but I fear come the summer (what summer, I hear you say. Yeah, I know what you mean
) it might get a little hotter.
Now then, should I just get a standard radiator, aka http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product... or http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
Or something aftermarket and more efficient?
Cheers
It's a mk1 1.6 manual, supercharged but not intercooled.
It wouldn't surprise me if the radiator in my '5 hasn't been changed in 20 years, so I was thinking I'd replace it (and the coolant) with a nice shiny new one, especially having boost 'n all. It's OK in this weather but I fear come the summer (what summer, I hear you say. Yeah, I know what you mean
) it might get a little hotter.Now then, should I just get a standard radiator, aka http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product... or http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
Or something aftermarket and more efficient?
Cheers
It's a mk1 1.6 manual, supercharged but not intercooled.
Been looking at upgrading my rad too and this seems to be the best value one for Mk1 1.6 but if anyone has any experience of it be good to hear from them
http://www.ilmotorsport.de/shop/article_detail.php...
http://www.ilmotorsport.de/shop/article_detail.php...
Oldwolf said:
Been looking at upgrading my rad too and this seems to be the best value one for Mk1 1.6 but if anyone has any experience of it be good to hear from them
http://www.ilmotorsport.de/shop/article_detail.php...
Perfect! Doesn't look like MX5Parts sell it though, unlike everything else ILM http://www.ilmotorsport.de/shop/article_detail.php...
Howard- said:
Oldwolf said:
Been looking at upgrading my rad too and this seems to be the best value one for Mk1 1.6 but if anyone has any experience of it be good to hear from them
http://www.ilmotorsport.de/shop/article_detail.php...
Perfect! Doesn't look like MX5Parts sell it though, unlike everything else ILM http://www.ilmotorsport.de/shop/article_detail.php...
Howard- said:
Can't find one that has an integrated oil cooler Was looking at them separately anyway... Are they worth doing? How hard is it to install one?
What's the "coolant reroute" all about?
The engine was designed to be used in FWD cars originally - IE Transverse. Was looking at them separately anyway... Are they worth doing? How hard is it to install one?What's the "coolant reroute" all about?
The coolant flow would be in cold water in one end of the block, hot water out the other end.
Part of the change to longitudinal mounting means they had to change the coolant routing, because of lack of room at the back (againts the bulkhead, udner your coilpack. The flow goes in one end, down, back round and out again somewhere near the front. Typically the rear most cylinder tends to run a little warmer than the rest because of these - I think that any HGF's are nearly always at that end aswell.
FM (maybe others too) do a 'coolant re-route kit' which is some modifed take offs and hoses (IIRC) to change the flow of coolant and cool the rear end of the block more effectively.
dylan0451 said:
aren't flyin miata doing one with an intergrated oil cooler?
i think i'd be more inclined to fit a coolant re route kit, new standard rad + oil cooler
i think i'd be more inclined to fit a coolant re route kit, new standard rad + oil cooler
Howard- said:
Can't find one that has an integrated oil cooler Was looking at them separately anyway... Are they worth doing? How hard is it to install one?
FM Twincooler - it's what I have Was looking at them separately anyway... Are they worth doing? How hard is it to install one?
http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/radiator.php
Mine actually looks more like the 90-97 version i.e. there is no hole for IC pipes.
They are actually made by PWR but seem to be more expensive direct :S
http://www.pwr-performance.com/auto_main.htm
ETA: FM Coolant Reroute Kit
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Monday 1st March 10:55
starts getting pricey there, depending on how much wedge you have to play with, i'd fit a coolant re route and change the stat first then see if things are still on the warm side
you might find a brand new standard rad is ok, although if you have the cash, those twin coolers do look very nice indeed, don't forget the price excludes any fittings/stat etc. though
you might find a brand new standard rad is ok, although if you have the cash, those twin coolers do look very nice indeed, don't forget the price excludes any fittings/stat etc. though
It's not running hot at the moment, I just fancied the idea of some "preventative" maintenance/changing! Oil coolers and reroute kits and fancy radiators costing that much might be a bit OTT seeing as I'm "only" running a standard low boost forced induction setup. It all looks very nice though 
If your current radiator is looking a bit knackered, then I'd go with a new, standard radiator, but make sure you give the whole system a really good flush through and fill it up with quality, correctly mixed coolant - I dont think its a particular weak spot on these cars.
A stand-along oil cooler could be added quite easily and cheaply I think, at a later date if so required. Have you got an oil temp guage in the car?
A stand-along oil cooler could be added quite easily and cheaply I think, at a later date if so required. Have you got an oil temp guage in the car?
snotrag said:
If your current radiator is looking a bit knackered, then I'd go with a new, standard radiator, but make sure you give the whole system a really good flush through and fill it up with quality, correctly mixed coolant - I dont think its a particular weak spot on these cars.
A stand-along oil cooler could be added quite easily and cheaply I think, at a later date if so required. Have you got an oil temp guage in the car?
Standard (or mildly uprated) plus a good flush is the plan tbh A stand-along oil cooler could be added quite easily and cheaply I think, at a later date if so required. Have you got an oil temp guage in the car?
No I haven't got an oil temp gauge. Is this something worth doing? If so, how?
Sorry for all the questions!
My point with the oil temp gauge is - whats the point in looking into extra oil cooling, if you dont know what the oil is doing anyway?
If you have a gauge you'll be able to monitor the oil temp over the spring to see whether you really do need additional cooling.
An oil temp gauge (along with the pressure gauge if you have a 'proper' one) is the best way to know when the car is fully warmed up too. I certainly miss having one and really should get round to it.
The gauge installs in the car, and there is a sensor/sender which needs to be in the oil flow. A common way to do this is to fit a sandwich plate - this goes between the oil filter and the block.
You could also use this as a place to mount your oil cooler if need be.
I've not looking into it but on these cars there may actually be a more suitable place to tap into the oil feed.
If you have a gauge you'll be able to monitor the oil temp over the spring to see whether you really do need additional cooling.
An oil temp gauge (along with the pressure gauge if you have a 'proper' one) is the best way to know when the car is fully warmed up too. I certainly miss having one and really should get round to it.
The gauge installs in the car, and there is a sensor/sender which needs to be in the oil flow. A common way to do this is to fit a sandwich plate - this goes between the oil filter and the block.
You could also use this as a place to mount your oil cooler if need be.
I've not looking into it but on these cars there may actually be a more suitable place to tap into the oil feed.
I've heard of people fitting oil gauges as a useful indication/warning, and yes I have a proper pressure gauge which is useful for warmup times etc
I might look into fitting a temp gauge to monitor the temps and see if a cooler is necessary
But like I said, it's only a fairly "standard" FI system, no crazy 250bhp setup so am just wondering how bad it's likely to get in the heat of the so called summers we get, plus maybe the odd track day that's all
I might look into fitting a temp gauge to monitor the temps and see if a cooler is necessary
But like I said, it's only a fairly "standard" FI system, no crazy 250bhp setup so am just wondering how bad it's likely to get in the heat of the so called summers we get, plus maybe the odd track day that's all
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