L Series Radiator Upgrade

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:07 pm

Im looking at 2 options for upgrading the radiator in my RX suitable for an EJ turbo.

Option 1. Tried and tested method.... Give original radiator to radiator shop and request a new 32mm core and modified end tanks with EJ sized in/out pipes and to fit into the original frame.

Option 2. My cunning plan.... Buy L series dual core radiator with brass end tanks from USA for $183 plus freight and have a radiator shop fit EJ sized pipes.
http://www.usaradiator.com/SUBARU--LOYALE--1990.html
Model 1269 is the one with a 32mm core

Depending on freight, option 2 might work out cheaper and will be a guaranteed fit, but Subarooster has a cousin who owns a radiator shop and if we get a few made up at once (possible group buy) we might save a few dollars.

What are your thoughts???

Post by **Alex** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:18 pm

you could go a custom dual core...BUT

this is tried and tested also...

cut and fit an ej20 turbo radiator into the space you have. Abit of cutting of the radiator support and then welding a nice piece of angle in there will do the trick. If i was doing an ej conversion again, this is what id do.

alex

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:53 pm

That was my 3rd option, but i was unsure of how much i need to remove.

Ive searched, but cant find any detailed pictures of the actual mods to the radiator support panel.

Can i assume that the liberty radiator is the same as an Impreza radiator?
So if i cant find a RS radiator, can i use a WRX radiator instead?

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:56 pm

Im considering the same options too, new twin core 1269 or fitting the ej turbo radiator. I would definately like to see pics of the core support mods:)
Checkers did this recently, as I recall he did his conversion in record time
showthread.php?t=15754&highlight=checkers&page=3

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:29 am

That is probably a little advanced for what i want to do
Checkers conversion

I was looking at photos of Fats's twin turbo conversion, and he used the EJ radiator too, but in the photos, there were no detailed shots

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:16 am

Send him a PM. Continuing in Giles mystery theme, there is one item in this pic that says car was originally EA82T - the space saver spare support bracket in black!

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:15 am

Suparoo wrote:That is probably a little advanced for what i want to do
Checkers conversion

I was looking at photos of Fats's twin turbo conversion, and he used the EJ radiator too, but in the photos, there were no detailed shots

That is quite abit of cutting, I havnt re-read the thread but as I recall he wanted to use the orig fans, and I think he had issues there also.

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:52 pm

ive got pics somewhere in my ej conversion thread. have to cut about 2 inches down and a little bit wider too. i got some angle steel i there for extra bracecing. it worked ok even with dodgy welds in it.

thread

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:26 pm

I'd recommend going for a custom dual core with EJ outlets. The angle of the outlets will need to change as the radiator is so much closer to the EJ's coolant ports that the hose physically won't bend in the way you need it to.

I've got a 3 core in my L. Its too big! I've currently got a piece of cardboard covering half of the radiator and it now cruises at about 82 degrees operating temp rather than 91 degress...

If I had my time over again I'd go a dual core, but the radiator shop I had it done at one did single or triple core radiators - go figure. So three core it was for me.

I've also go problems fitting thermo fans in, I've got one on the front but want two behind the radiator... Fun fun!

Cheers

Bennie

Post by **Alex** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:37 pm

my setup was a custom dual core. Had brass end tanks off a gemini(i think)

managed to fit two craig david fans on the engine side of the rad and ditched the aircon condensor when i went turbo cos of the intercooler. Ran a nice little 8inch craig david fan on the front of the rad also.

Kept both my ej22 and ej20g nice and cool, even when pushing it hard for long periods thru boggy sand on 40degree days. Glowing headers wasnt uncommon though

alex

username · Post by **username** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:30 pm

I used the original bottom holes and just cut enough out of the top to fit the tanks in the bring the coil as close as possible to the bar. Used some fuel hose to line the sharp edges so it doesn't rub through the tanks. i removed the top radiator support thing and it made it heaps easier. Plenty of clearance for the power steering pulley and enough room for one 12" thermo in the bay. will probably put one on the outside in the future.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Does the trick.

Cheers,

Jake.

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:39 pm

lol craig david fans

Post by **Alex** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 4:26 pm

Subafury wrote:lol craig david fans

whats your flayva ooOOooo tell me whats your flayvaa

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:33 pm

Alex wrote: two craig david fans

Lol alex...really?

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:39 pm

So what EJ radiator should i use?

Looking on ebay, there are no RS turbo radiators, but there are early (93-00) WRX radiators.

Im gonna assume that they are similar enough that i can use WRX one?

Im looking for some dimensions as i type.

If anybody would like to contribute photos of their EJ radiator in their L series this would be a handy resource for future converters

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:58 pm

Here are some core sizes (not overall sizes)
L series- 645 x 320 x 16
Lib Gen1- 670 x 360 x 16
Lib RS- 670 x 400 x 25
WRX GC- 670 x 395 x 25

So my pick would be the GC/GF (93-00) WRX because its easier to get than the RS unit but appears identical. (a NA Liberty radiator would probably be the easiest to fit, but im after the thicker 25mm core)

L series 645 x 320 x 16

Gen 1 NA Lib 670 x 360 x 16

Lib RS 670 x 400 x 25 (notice no filler neck)

Impreza WRX 670 x 395 x 25 (as with the RS unit, the radiator doesn't have a filler neck because turbo models have a header tank )

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 5:43 pm

Started to cut the lower radiator support this afternoon.

Now i just need to borrow my dad's MIG and buy a piece of angle iron to make the bottom stronger

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 10:52 pm

Looking good, good on ya for diving right in there.
Might want to shift the car away from all that dry grass before cranking up the Mig

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 7:56 am

If you had a local wrecker with a couple of L's you may have been able to cut the original cross piece out with the sections its welded to .
Then you could take it home and pick the bits off Fuji welded it to .

I can't say for sure but there is the chance that the cross piece may be able to be refitted lower down so you can fit a taller radiator .

For what my EA82T powered RX needs the L type twin core radiator works fine . I think if I still had a cooling issue I'd be using an air to air oil cooler in front of the radiator . Biggish oil coolers can pull a lot of heat out of an engine and the thermostatic ones stop them over cooling .
Generally engine oil runs at a higher temperature than cooling water so the temp differential between oil and air makes for good transfer abilities .

If anyone seriously wanted to race an L Series the go would be to have a custom aluminium radiator made to fit in the std space but I don't think there would be much change out of 6-800 dollars .

A .

spike · Post by **spike** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:21 am

i can make one fit.
but yeah price is a problem. im just going to find a good size radiator and put some new tanks on it and make it mount in the orignial holes, even the added volume would help cool the beasts