I was looking to do the 3800 supercharged swap in my countach replica. I currently have the stock Fiero radiator upfront I was thinking about purchasing two three row Honda Civic radiators and mounting them one on each side. I read a few threads and think I would like to run it in series not parallel. Has anyone had any luck or suggestions there are a few options on eBay I do like the ones with the metal shroud and fans. Any advice info opinions or tips would be appreciated.
Are you planning on doing this for looks or for the performance? If you just wanted more performance then there are a few three row aluminum made for the fiero that you could use rather than creating custom mounts for the setup you're looking at.
If you're going for the look or had something else in mind for the dual radiator setup then I'd agree that running them in series is probably the best option. I believe a few people on the forum have done dual rad setups for various swaps so they may be able to chime in with more info on how to make it work properly.
I am leaning towards looks but of course want it to not have over heating issues. I considered the champion radiator if I keep single setup. I was planing on two radiator like Countach one in each opening. I wanted to install a separate trans cooler for the 4t65e-hd and was planing on keep condensor upfront with a fan for ac.
I don't know the dimensions of the Hayabusa radiator but I looked one up don't like the bend due to where I would mount them I think the civic ones would work good given the dimensions and openings I have . They go for about 120 with the metal shroud and fan I think it's the same radiators used in bmw v12 swap another member did in his Fiero.
[This message has been edited by Lambocountach (edited 03-16-2017).]
Just FYI, a parallel plumbing setup will be more thermally efficient than series. But personally, I'd just stick a 3-row radiator up front, and call it a day.
The radiator up front barely get any airflow due to current mounting angle and way Countach front end is. And there is so much space available at sides of car that why I was thinking about the dual setup. I haven't had a champion radiator yet in any of my Fieros or kit cars but have had overheating issues in past on hot days or a/c on.
The radiator up front barely get any airflow due to current mounting angle and way Countach front end is. And there is so much space available at sides of car that why I was thinking about the dual setup. I haven't had a champion radiator yet in any of my Fieros or kit cars but have had overheating issues in past on hot days or a/c on.
Have you already tried an air dam under the front radiator? This should create a positive pressure in front of the radiator and negative behind to help with flow through it. A short piece of rubber the width of the radiator similar to a 79 El Camino could work.
I have read and heard about the dam haven't seen a good picture example on Lambo kit also the car is so low to the ground to begin with I didn't know if it would work ok.
I have read and heard about the dam haven't seen a good picture example on Lambo kit also the car is so low to the ground to begin with I didn't know if it would work ok.
Mine is not on the road yet but I have read where others are either hit or miss on the over heating issue of the Countach kits. I do have a three core Summit Racing aluminum radiator up front with the Jegs 50 gpm remote water pump. It will idle all day without going over 190 with the fan I have. If I do run into issues I was planning on a dam, using rubber due to the clearance issue.
I may run stock setup or go campion still debating I just love the look of duel setup like done here https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/107913-7.html. Plus if I go with radiators in sides it would give me the extra space I need to run my aftermarket a/c setup. I heard mixed results with the stock radiator and l67 especially the trans cooler built in radiator.
If you're hooked on the dual radiator look, you could put a tranny cooler and engine oil cooler (or intercooler heat exchanger?) in back. That will take some of the thermal load off the front radiator, as well.
[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 03-17-2017).]
I was planing on using a delrale cooler for transmission in a side vent in lower portion of body. Or in front of engine as their is a lot of room as well and will have a fan attached to cooler.
I was looking more into the Honda radiators and was leaning towards running two parallel but was wondering if I could run 2 2 row radiators instead of two 3 row radiators when looking at the demensions of the two core sizes are same. Have read the gimmick they advertise 3 rows but tubes are smaller when compared to 2 row or will the 3 row be more efficient with extra fins even smaller. do you think they will handle the 3800 I can get two for the price of one 3 row.
[This message has been edited by Lambocountach (edited 03-18-2017).]
I'm using dual 2-row radiators from a Jetta on my build. They are 12.5" wide and about 26" long. I would prefer to use a slightly shorter radiator, but wasn't able to find a better one (this type is at the limit with respect to size and fit). These radiators are great based on the inlet / outlet size and locations, plus they have a vent port that sits in the right position once they are mounted "vertically". They will be hooked up in series in order to keep the installation as simple as possible. From a surface area point of view, I should have copious amounts of spare cooling capacity.
Niels88 I have been watching your post and admire your skill can't wait to see your car done. The Jetta radiator is a cross flow correct I heard will cool better than a down flow like civic the Jetta is also larger civic only measures aprox 18x14.5. Have you done the pluming yet? And are you still running 4.9 I know you were planing the bmw v12 swap at one point so was I but with no time the 3800 is a much faster swap for me less fabrication.
Niels88 I have been watching your post and admire your skill can't wait to see your car done. The Jetta radiator is a cross flow correct I heard will cool better than a down flow like civic the Jetta is also larger civic only measures aprox 18x14.5. Have you done the pluming yet? And are you still running 4.9 I know you were planing the bmw v12 swap at one point so was I but with no time the 3800 is a much faster swap for me less fabrication.
Thanks. No, I haven't finished the plumbing yet, but will once the radiators get permanently mounted. Yes...4.9 still there for now, and yes it will switch to the V12 eventually. The Jetta radiator is a cross flow double pass radiator, but obviously I've mounted it at 90 degrees (realistically, a cross flow really isn't any better at cooling than a downflow). Since I'm plumbing them in series, the majority of the cooling will occur in the first radiator since that'll be where the greatest heat differential is.
I have been looking if there was a formula to calculate cool capacity needed and know I found one a while back but can't find it now. I wonder if I could just run one 3 row civic radiator or possibly get one made to work on one side of car and other side transmission and other cooler. I am planing on running 3800 sc stock with a few upgrades so at max 350-400hp. I know a lot of ther factor come in like engine tune,pump flow, radiator opening, fan/shroud and exhaust all contribute to need cooling. A lot of honda owners run that type hp but in a 4cly with only one radiator.
No, I haven't finished the plumbing yet, but will once the radiators get permanently mounted. Yes...4.9 still there for now, and yes it will switch to the V12 eventually. The Jetta radiator is a cross flow double pass radiator, but obviously I've mounted it at 90 degrees (realistically, a cross flow really isn't any better at cooling than a downflow). Since I'm plumbing them in series, the majority of the cooling will occur in the first radiator since that'll be where the greatest heat differential is.
