What rad for cars with ITBs?

[Martin.]

VW polo rad I hear?

Anyone bought one recently and can point me in the right direction please.

Cheers

 

[Chi]

I bought a trophy yesterday with itbs. It has a polo rad but my worry is if it will have adequate cooling on a hot track day.

 

[neil a]

Think most people use polo rads, or mk3 golf rads but I'm not sure on clearance with the golf one onthe power steering pipe and ault bracket. I'm bidding on a alloy golf one justnow so will hopefully find out soon on clearance, if there is a clearance problem I will switch to a saxo power steering set up.

 

[Martin.]

I think most ITB guys run a polo rad so cooling shouldn't be problem I don't think.

Mine has one now and it hasn't caused me any issues. But it's a little tired now.

 

[Martin.]

Neil. Quite cheap aren't they? About £50 rings bells. But maybe the golf one is different.

 

[rdoxenham]

I bought the Polo radiator...

http://www.adrad.co.uk/prices/prices.php?id=SE310&model=POLO&make=VOLKSWAGEN

And this SPAL 12" sucker fan...

http://www.proalloy.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&pt=342&p=349&id=proalloy

 

[ABOO]

Check out classifieds mate...

 

[neil a]

Yes I think a standard style polo rad can be had for £50. I actually used the standard Clio cup rad for the last year and never had any temp issues on track, I'm now going for the larger golf one that almost goes the full way across the front of the car since I've went high comp so may have a bit more heat to deal with.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIRENZA-V...odel:Golf|Plat_Gen:MK+III&hash=item2a2f85893e

 

[Joe#]

I bought a trophy yesterday with itbs. It has a polo rad but my worry is if it will have adequate cooling on a hot track day.

Thought about fitting an oil cooler?

 

[Chi]

Joe could do with you looking over mine. .

 

[jon_r]

I use a polo rad. No problems on a very hot trackday last year. It was about £40 I think.

 

[SharkyUK]

VW Polo rad should be fine... the only real issue is if you are stuck / crawling in traffic jams for long periods of time. I've got the Polo rad on mine (although might upgrade it to something fancier in the future if I'm feeling flush).

 

[Martin.]

Cheers chaps. Sounds like a new Polo rad will be more than suitable. I can always upgrade it at a later date anyway if need be.

Going to order this one, thanks @rdoxenham

http://www.adrad.co.uk/prices/prices.php?id=SE310&model=POLO&make=VOLKSWAGEN

And keep my current fan but just mount it differently.

@neil a, that one you've linked looks lovely, but being so big will you not have any issues with it fitting around the ITBs?

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Check my project thread. £21.50 posted for a good radiator on eBay

Polo rad is too small imo.

In fact, save you the hassle of looking...Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271272267343

Fitted mine last night, good size and plenty of room for itbs

 

[Mr R.]

I don't get this, people spend 2k + on throttle bodies but only want to spend £50 on a radiator that is the only thing that cools the engine.

Bonkers.

 

[Martin.]

Check my project thread. £21.50 posted for a good radiator on eBay

Polo rad is too small imo.

In fact, save you the hassle of looking...Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271272267343

Fitted mine last night, good size and plenty of room for itbs

Thanks Tom, seems ridiculous cheap though lol almost too cheap to buy..

I don't get this, people spend 2k + on throttle bodies but only want to spend £50 on a radiator that is the only thing that cools the engine.

Bonkers.

When did I say cost was an issue?

I just want to make sure I do it right first time round and not get something that doesn't fit.

I'm all ears if you have a better suggestion for me buddy?

 

[mark123]

Think most people use polo rads, or mk3 golf rads but I'm not sure on clearance with the golf one onthe power steering pipe and ault bracket. I'm bidding on a alloy golf one justnow so will hopefully find out soon on clearance, if there is a clearance problem I will switch to a saxo power steering set up.

The golf rad I have won't clear the std PAS pipe at the pump.

 

[Martin.]

The golf rad I have won't clear the std PAS pipe at the pump.

Rules that one out then, thank you.

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Thanks Tom, seems ridiculous cheap though lol almost too cheap to buy..

Seems as good a quality as others I've had off eBay. Better than some in fact. Can't go wrong at the price and it's a perfect size.

 

[neil a]

The golf rad I have won't clear the std PAS pipe at the pump.

Is that a MK3 golf rad Mark, looking at the pic MGCup put up of a front view of his car I did think it might have hit. I didnt win the rad i was bidding on so will have a measure up when i get home and see what other options there are , but worst case would be a switch to saxo\ 106 power steering that looks simple and cheap.

 

[Martin.]

Seems as good a quality as others I've had off eBay. Better than some in fact. Can't go wrong at the price and it's a perfect size.

Cool.

Just to confirm, do you have ITBs and that rad definitely fits ?

 

[mark123]

I think so but I'm not sure. I'll check later.

You could also go down the electric PAS route. That seems popular at the moment.

 

[Mr R.]

Thanks Tom, seems ridiculous cheap though lol almost too cheap to buy..



When did I say cost was an issue?

I just want to make sure I do it right first time round and not get something that doesn't fit.

I'm all ears if you have a better suggestion for me buddy?

Not aimed at you in particular buddy, it just amazes me.

If it was me then id be giving that guy on here a pm, the guy who makes that super alloy stuff, scottrally or something I think his user name is??

That would look great and have a bigger core.

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Cool.

Just to confirm, do you have ITBs and that rad definitely fits ?

I bought it to fit with itbs. The only way it won't fit is if you're itbs point down at the front crossmember, and I doubt that!

 

[jon_r]

I don't get this, people spend 2k + on throttle bodies but only want to spend £50 on a radiator that is the only thing that cools the engine.

Bonkers.

If the polo rad wasn't up to the job then why do most run it? It works perfectly well and fits the space nicely as well. Your suggesting paying more for something thats not necessary. That is bonkers.

 

[Martin.]

Not aimed at you in particular buddy, it just amazes me.

If it was me then id be giving that guy on here a pm, the guy who makes that super alloy stuff, scottrally or something I think his user name is??

That would look great and have a bigger core.

That could be a good idea for a later date. At the minute my priority is to get the car back together and running so I can make the Bedford date.

I bought it to fit with itbs. The only way it won't fit is if you're itbs point down at the front crossmember, and I doubt that!

Ok cool, that's good to know, thanks.

 

[Chip-mk1]

I think so but I'm not sure. I'll check later.

You could also go down the electric PAS route. That seems popular at the moment.

Epas is a good call for freeing up a bit of space, but its less trivial to fit on a proper 172 than on a phase 2 though.

 

[Chi]

Thoughts marinemackay2003

 

[Chi]

My white track car had eps and an on off switch

 

[Martin.]

Just a question then.

Are the smaller rads from the Polo and Sirocco any deeper, to gain more surface area to make up for the smaller size?

Or were the standard size Clio ones a bit over kill anyway?

 

[neil a]

This is a mk3 golf rad as you can see it sits low and covers the front of te car meaning it will get the best airflow possible. Just a shame the power steering pipe will get in the way , electric rack is an option but the saxo pump is a couple of wires and two pipes to join.

would like to see the sizes of the one ph1 tom posted up as at that price it would be worth a try providing it has a decent area and clears everything.

 

[MG cup]

I personally wouldn't run a polo rad on my car on track or road especially for traffic reasons that have been mentioned. The alloy rads on eBay aren't what I would consider expensive so I see no point in buying two cheap ones that will be needed to outlast the alloy version.

I got one with my ITB's with full intentions of using it for it to arrive and be totally underwhelmed by it. As Neil has posted my pic above shows the rad covers from chassis leg to leg. That is the biggest one available on eBay but if you check the measurements (there's loads on there) then you can get all sorts of sizes of the alloy golf mk3 rads that have no issue with touching the PAS pipe and cup alternator bracket. Also there is differing Clio ones in there now which I haven't looked into.

For reference I changed my alternator and bracket to a cup racer setup (which is essentially a Renault 5 bracket, Volvo also I believe) to clear my rad. IMO removing the standard PAS system is the best thing I have done for working on the car, everything becomes easier plus the ePAS systems are penny's and don't use fluid (bonus)

 

[Ph1 Tom]

I personally wouldn't run a polo rad on my car on track or road especially for traffic reasons that have been mentioned. The alloy rads on eBay aren't what I would consider expensive so I see no point in buying two cheap ones that will be needed to outlast the alloy version.

I got one with my ITB's with full intentions of using it for it to arrive and be totally underwhelmed by it. As Neil has posted my pic above shows the rad covers from chassis leg to leg. That is the biggest one available on eBay but if you check the measurements (there's loads on there) then you can get all sorts of sizes of the alloy golf mk3 rads that have no issue with touching the PAS pipe and cup alternator bracket. Also there is differing Clio ones in there now which I haven't looked into.

For reference I changed my alternator and bracket to a cup racer setup (which is essentially a Renault 5 bracket, Volvo also I believe) to clear my rad. IMO removing the standard PAS system is the best thing I have done for working on the car, everything becomes easier plus the ePAS systems are penny's and don't use fluid (bonus)

The one I linked is the biggest that will fit without getting in the way of anything.

 

[Martin.]

I personally wouldn't run a polo rad on my car on track or road especially for traffic reasons that have been mentioned. The alloy rads on eBay aren't what I would consider expensive so I see no point in buying two cheap ones that will be needed to outlast the alloy version.

I got one with my ITB's with full intentions of using it for it to arrive and be totally underwhelmed by it. As Neil has posted my pic above shows the rad covers from chassis leg to leg. That is the biggest one available on eBay but if you check the measurements (there's loads on there) then you can get all sorts of sizes of the alloy golf mk3 rads that have no issue with touching the PAS pipe and cup alternator bracket. Also there is differing Clio ones in there now which I haven't looked into.

For reference I changed my alternator and bracket to a cup racer setup (which is essentially a Renault 5 bracket, Volvo also I believe) to clear my rad. IMO removing the standard PAS system is the best thing I have done for working on the car, everything becomes easier plus the ePAS systems are penny's and don't use fluid (bonus)

Is that your car in the pic above then?

Your ITBs seem to angle up in that picture? What kit do you have? Just trying to compare to what I have.

Also, I'm not sure about ePAS just yet, I've heard a few people say how they don't like the feel of it over hydraulic. Maybe at a later date this might be considered but for now I need to focus on just getting the car back together. Hoping to get the car mapped and a power run done on SRR before it shuts down. This is where my base power run was done also.

EDIT:

Also, maybe a stupid question but I have no idea. The 'cheap' ones that have been linked, i'm assuming they are not alloy and like you say wouldn't last as long as a proper alloy one. I think that's what you were getting at?

 

[Martin.]

The one I linked is the biggest that will fit without getting in the way of anything.

This is the one I'm aiming to go for currently :cheers:

 

[MG cup]

Is that your car in the pic above then?

Your ITBs seem to angle up in that picture? What kit do you have? Just trying to compare to what I have.

Also, I'm not sure about ePAS just yet, I've heard a few people say how they don't like the feel of it over hydraulic. Maybe at a later date this might be considered but for now I need to focus on just getting the car back together. Hoping to get the car mapped and a power run done on SRR before it shuts down. This is where my base power run was done also.

EDIT:

Also, maybe a stupid question but I have no idea. The 'cheap' ones that have been linked, i'm assuming they are not alloy and like you say wouldn't last as long as a proper alloy one. I think that's what you were getting at?

Yeah that's my car, they are Jenvey individuals on the mr28 manifold (or whatever its called) which is the basic off the shelf Clio setup. The only way they angle up is due to the engines inclination and the fact the rad is so low which makes it look worse.

I would just buy one of the smaller alloy golf mk3 rads in your case which doesn't cover the full front and will allow the standard PAS. It will still be more efficient than the plastic (cheap) ones that are used due to core size.

The plastic (cheap) ones just fall to bits which I'm sure anyone with one will confirm no matter how much they think the £20-£50 offerings are suitable. They fall to bits with tiny little stones and even living in a sea side area corrodes them IME.

 

[Martin.]

Yeah that's my car, they are Jenvey individuals on the mr28 manifold (or whatever its called) which is the basic off the shelf Clio setup. The only way they angle up is due to the engines inclination and the fact the rad is so low which makes it look worse.

I would just buy one of the smaller alloy golf mk3 rads in your case which doesn't cover the full front and will allow the standard PAS. It will still be more efficient than the plastic (cheap) ones that are used due to core size.

The plastic (cheap) ones just fall to bits which I'm sure anyone with one will confirm no matter how much they think the £20-£50 are suitable. They fall to bits with tiny little stones and even living in a sea side area IME.

Is it just a case of searching on Google/Ebay and seeing what you find or is there a specific one you could point out for me?

I'll probably get a decent rad made at some point but that'll be when there is more time to play with.

 

[MG cup]

Is it just a case of searching on Google/Ebay and seeing what you find or is there a specific one you could point out for me?

I'll probably get a decent rad made at some point but that'll be when there is more time to play with.

Can you measure from chassis leg to chassis leg for me as I don't have a car to hand and I'll find you a nice alloy rad.

 

[Martin.]

Can you measure from chassis leg to chassis leg for me as I don't have a car to hand and I'll find you a nice alloy rad.

I don't have my car to hand either haha, that's why I'm finding this so hard!

Otherwise I'd be able to see and measure etc

 

[Ph1 Tom]

The plastic (cheap) ones just fall to bits which I'm sure anyone with one will confirm no matter how much they think the £20-£50 offerings are suitable. They fall to bits with tiny little stones and even living in a sea side area corrodes them IME.

I ran one on my last car for 3 years and it was very exposed at the front. Sold it on for as much as I paid as it was still like new.