MK1 Golf 16v & Carbs - Radiator Options?

[dubmc]

Hi Guys,

Sorting through the 16v conversion at the moment, lots of little adjustments to be made in order to get it running compared to the 8v.

Wanted to pick your brains for some ideas in regards to radiator choice to suit KR 16v with twin dellortos. I have heard of people using honda civic radiators, however height seems to be an issue here...any other options?

ideally i need a radiator which fits on the right hand sight of the engine bay and does't come across to far in front of the carbs.

i have looked a getting one custom made, but it looks like it may be an expensive option.

any thoughts/opinions/experiences appreciated.




thanks,
michael.

[mikinoz]

I have the same situation with my ITB's. I was looking at a radiator from a mid 90's barina that would fit below the trumpets - but Pete Jones made his ITB's fit - so may be worth asking him (or Alex G).

Post up the answers though.

[Stiggy_21]

interested too

[Water Boy]

Any thick (double core) radiator and have it modified to suit your Mk1. Might cost a couple hundred but worth it.

[Stanton]

Why didn't you remove the old air cleaner mount before the engine bay respray
16Vs on carbs look so good in mk1s as your's does.

[velly_16v_cab]

I cut and re welded the back of the rad cowel as you can see in the corner here

[Peter Jones]

A full custom radiator will set you back a fair bit. (about $800)

Mine measures about 300mm across and 300mm high but it's two 55mm cores back to back so the surface area is more like 300 x 600.

A radiator like this requires a fair bit of air velocity, it's not something I'd use in traffic.





It looks like you've still got enough room for a stock radiator in there, just depends if you're trying to get cold air directly to the ram tubes.

Oddly it's easily to get good alloy ones in a fairly stock size. In the US they're commonly used as a lightweight radiator for Drag cars. JEGS Performance Products 51960 JEGS Racing Radiators

[dubmc]

A full custom radiator will set you back a fair bit. (about $800)

Mine measures about 300mm across and 300mm high but it's two 55mm cores back to back so the surface area is more like 300 x 600.

A radiator like this requires a fair bit of air velocity, it's not something I'd use in traffic.





It looks like you've still got enough room for a stock radiator in there, just depends if you're trying to get cold air directly to the ram tubes.

Oddly it's easily to get good alloy ones in a fairly stock size. In the US they're commonly used as a lightweight radiator for Drag cars. JEGS Performance Products 51960 JEGS Racing Radiators

thanks pete, good insight. ideally i would like to get cold air directly into the carbs, so i am looking to get a similar size radiator to yours (not in core thickness) but overall dimensions. i also don't like the way the top radiator hose is squashed into such a small place with the stock radiator setup that people run, i actually called race radiators recently to get a quote, i'm going to send off some overall dimensions, so hopefully it may be a little cheaper as it won't be as thick. my only other concern is that a stock size radiator will have the fun running constantly, draining unnecessary power from the engine.

[Peter Jones]

Oh by the way, I blocked off the factory water outlet on the 16v head between cylinders 2 & 3 and ran the top hose to the end of the head.

I'm told that will cool 3 & 4 a bit better and it made the plumbing simpler. I don't run a heater though

[Water Boy]

Make the front water outlet 90 degress.