Non-aluminum Replacement Radaitor for a 94 Chimaera?

[NJ94Chim]

The radiator in my '94 Chimaera has developed a leak. I will be taking it over to a local repair shop to see if it can be recored.

But if it can't be, I will need to replace it. I would prefer to stick with something as close to the orignal as possible.

Does anyone know what manufacturer/car the TVR radiator was sourced from? (Have seen a couple of mentions that the Chimaera was fitted with a radiator from a Range Rover Classic 1992-1994.)

Also, I've seen references to replacement radiators from a UK company called Allmakes. Does anyone know of them, and better still, whether they make a drop in replacement for the Chimaera's radiator?

Thanks in advance

[ez64]

Got mine from radtec on ebay (uk company) the prices have gone up a bit since but I bought a chinese ali one before for 50% less and then had to re-buy from a decent manufacturer again once it sprung a leak after a week.

Radtec one is great and looks like the original.

[FunkyGibbon]

Replacement part number is TVR K0124 and can be sourced from Motaclan, Racetech Direct and ebay (and probably others, just did a quick google).

TVR K0124A is the aluminium one.

I believe they are now manufactured buy Aaron Radiator.

If you are near the Cambs/Bedford area and can recommend a fitter who did mine last year.

[Loubaruch]

Any Radiator specialist should be able to recore your original rad if the steel frame is OK. I had mine done last year but not cheap £465 inc VAT about the price of an Ali one. As the TVR chassis flexes a bit the original Brass/copper rads are apparently better at resisting this but many owners seem quite happy with Ali and they are a lot lighter. I believe the core is the same as a Range Rover but the inlet and outlets are in a different position so not a direct swap.

[andrewcliffe]

Its a few years since I had a Chimaera, but when my radiator split, I got it recored. P&M Radiators near Norwich did mine. Cost wasn't unreasonable, and I fitted it myself.

[jojackson4]

Aaron rads direct
Got mine 6-7 years ago all good and if you mention Piston heads you got a discount

[NJ94Chim]

I suppose I should have mentioned that the Chimaera and I are both garaged in New Jersey!

Regardless, thanks for the info on the sources.

Radiator comes out tomorrow (supposed to hit upper 70's here, so garage wil be warm). Then off to the local shop to see if it can be recored - crossing fingers. Otherwise I will source it from the UK.

Thanks again

[NJ94Chim]

I suppose I should have mentioned that the Chimaera and I are both garaged in New Jersey!

Regardless, thanks for the info on the sources.

Radiator comes out tomorrow (supposed to hit upper 70's here, so garage wil be warm). Then off to the local shop to see if it can be recored - crossing fingers. Otherwise I will source it from the UK.

Thanks again

[andrewcliffe]

If your radiator shop has a catalogue of cores they can buy in, the Range Rover is probably a starting point.

[Sardonicus]

Core is Range Rover classic V8 circa 1970-1985 if they do the extra core version then upgrade is my recommendation

[andrewbr]

There's one on ebay right now in moderate condition, maybe you could swap over your fans and spruce it up.
link here

I ended up buying a new one from Racing Green/Motaclan, the cost with shipping ended up being less than my local shop wanted for a re-core (although that's entirely dependent on exchange rate/tariffs/whatever else we have to deal with these days). I searched high and low for a Range Rover unit that would fit but they seem to not exist with the in/outlets the TVR needs (at least in the States).

Edit: while the listing says this was from a '94 car it appears to be a later-style radiator with the bigger fan cowls and without the bung for the otter switch on the side? It's a TVR, who knows. Maybe you can make it work, but it might be less hassle just to get your existing rad re-cored.

Edited by andrewbr on Wednesday 2nd April 21:33

Edited by andrewbr on Wednesday 2nd April 21:38

[Thundersports]

You can get two thicknesses of core for these pay a bit more and get the thicker one and you're very unlikely to ever over heat. At Sercks we offered both and the local dealer (Walldonway) usually specefied the thicker core.

[Sardonicus]

Thundersports said:

You can get two thicknesses of core for these pay a bit more and get the thicker one and you're very unlikely to ever over heat. At Sercks we offered both and the local dealer (Walldonway) usually specefied the thicker core.

Thats the one ^

[NJ94Chim]

All,

Radiator shop pressure-tested it - looks like many of the welds where the core rods are attached to the bulkheads in each tank are shot ("champagne bubbles"), so they are going to keep the tanks and replace the core.

Thanks for all the suggestions!