Docsis510 Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 When I did the ka swap on my datto I installed the vw rabbit radiator. The temp on the cars stays normal when it's rolling but when I get to a stop light or in traffic the temp wants to go way up. I'm thinking the radiator is to small. Do you guys know what other radiators might work that have the water hose inlet and outlet on the same side? Quote
Creepy Cruiser Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 The one i used in mine is a (Spectra - CU1557) for a 98 jetta. It seem to fit the best and be the biggest one I could find without having one custom built. It's quite a bit bigger that the rabbit one. You'll need to get the factory rubber mounts for the bottom from a wrecking yard or the vw dealer since it doesn't come with them. You have to shave the lower mounts just a tiny bit to fit between the rails and then I just bolted it all the way through the core support. Your temp sensor should fit also. I paid about $85 or so new for it Quote
yello620 Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 Doc, generally if it stays cool while moving(air over the radiator), and not when stopped, you need to get more air over the radiator when stopped. Bigger fans, fan shrouds? Creepy, got any measurements on that jetta radiator, thinking that might also fit good in a 620. Quote
fo0manchu Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 When I did the ka swap on my datto I installed the vw rabbit radiator. The temp on the cars stays normal when it's rolling but when I get to a stop light or in traffic the temp wants to go way up. I'm thinking the radiator is to small. Do you guys know what other radiators might work that have the water hose inlet and outlet on the same side? same thing happens with mine. I need to get another fan. This only happens when I'm idling for like 15 plus minutes though. I do notice that when I turn on my heater fan the temp goes back down. Thats why I'm thinking I need another fan or a more efficient one. The radiator size should be fine. Quote
Creepy Cruiser Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 Overall with the lower mounts, tanks, etc... it's 30" x 15" x 2" (the core is actually 1.5" thick) I'll be running 2 12" fans on mine, on separate controls, so I can just run 1 when I don't need both. Quote
Docsis510 Posted September 30, 2009 Author Report Posted September 30, 2009 Well I'm running a 12 inch fan I bought from ebay. Its set as a pusher. I was thinking that would be more than enough. The radiator creepy has looks nice but it doesn't have a cap. 1 Quote
inline4 Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 Well I'm running a 12 inch fan I bought from ebay. Its set as a pusher. I was thinking that would be more than enough. The radiator creepy has looks nice but it doesn't have a cap. use an inline filler T on the top hose? :o Quote
Creepy Cruiser Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 Yep, filler T on the upper is the easiest, (you can get them from places like Summit) or I'm actually using a filler that fills into a heater hose instead, and mounts high on the back of the motor. Quote
JFK8317170 Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 After lots of measuring and searching, I found an all aluminum radiator for a CA18DET on eBay from roc_ilan. The radiator's overall measurements are 22" wide, 15" tall, and 1.75" thick. The radiator inlet/outlet measurement is 1.25" which is much smaller than KA24DE coolant inlet/outlet which measures 1.5". All I did is really tighten the hose clamps down until the new Spectre flexible radiator hoses wouldn't even budge. The electric fan was an easy choice. I just went to Jegs ang got the 10" electric fan which fits the radiator perfectly. CA18DET Aluminum Radiator with Jegs 10" Electric Fan Top View Installed Quote
WagDatto Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 Unless I'm in traffic for a long time, I have no issues keeping temps at-or-below 200*. Since you're not using an in-line filler neck, are you SURE that you bled the air out of the system? The filler neck on the Rabit radiator is lower than the highest point for coolant on the KA, so you have to be sure you bled all the air out. That might account for why you're running a bit hotter at a stop and running fine when you're moving. Anything below 220* or so is normal operating temps for the KA. Creep above 220ish and that's where I start worrying... Quote
philcas1987 Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 creepys set up looks badass.its huge!. i have a rabbit rad 10" pusher 180 degree temp switch. like mentioned above when car is in motion the rad keeps its cool. but when idling or in traffic, temps tend to go up. i personally dont trust a vw part. someone who i trust very much recommended the afco rad. i was lucky enough to get it for christmas:D 2 1/4" core should keep my ka cool in any situation. afco part #80104n from summit Quote
Jesse C. Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 I have been eyeballin' that very rad from Summit for my VG30. Is it really 3" thick? Quote
Just Joel Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 Inlet and outlet on the same side? I’m planning a KA24e swap and am following this thread closely. Can I assume that a similar setup will work for my situation as well? Are the inlet/outlets the same as a DOHC KA? Thanks Joel Quote
philcas1987 Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 I have been eyeballin' that very rad from Summit for my VG30. Is it really 3" thick? Yup 3" thick tanks. Very beefy. Enough to cool high hp american engines. Ka24e and ka24de have outlets on passeger side. Ebay shows a aluminium ka swap radiator. No one has mentioned that one. With or without fans. Looks good Quote
Docsis510 Posted December 19, 2009 Author Report Posted December 19, 2009 that radiator from philcas looks real good but would it work with a intercooler??? im thinking that the radiator plus the intercooler might be to thick for the fan to cool down. i mean incase i go turbo. Quote
Creepy Cruiser Posted December 19, 2009 Report Posted December 19, 2009 (edited) Ebay shows a aluminium ka swap radiator. No one has mentioned that one. With or without fans. Looks good Could you post a link to that "aluminium ka swap radiator" that you found on ebay? I looked, but couldn't find it on there. Edited December 19, 2009 by Creepy Cruiser Quote
Danfinny Posted December 19, 2009 Report Posted December 19, 2009 Could always use the the fiero gt rad. i cant keep my car warm. i know the hoses are a pain to route but it works great. Quote
philcas1987 Posted December 19, 2009 Report Posted December 19, 2009 without fans http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-510-Aluminum-Radiator-SR20DET-Swap-New-Release_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c4fc2a46cQQitemZ190316717164QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories with fans http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-510-Aluminum-Radiator-KA24DE-Swap-12-fans_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c4fc2a3ecQQitemZ190316717036QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Quote
Jesse C. Posted December 19, 2009 Report Posted December 19, 2009 without fanshttp://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-510-Aluminum-Radiator-SR20DET-Swap-New-Release_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c4fc2a46cQQitemZ190316717164QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories with fans http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-510-Aluminum-Radiator-KA24DE-Swap-12-fans_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c4fc2a3ecQQitemZ190316717036QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories The only problem I have with those is cutting up the car to make them fit right. I think the AFCO is going to be my choice. I really do not feel like spending over $400 bucks for Ron Davis rad. But, they are nice. Quote
ichorid Posted December 19, 2009 Report Posted December 19, 2009 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GODSPEED-95-96-97-98-240SX-S14-KA24DE-RADIATOR-FAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c5248301cQQitemZ190359023644QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories been thinking about getting one of these for my post turbo radiator needs. seems almost to cheap to be true. Im trying to see it in a 510. or at least in a s13 so I can get an idea of clearance and cooling. but 1 fan definitely is not enough for my KA. in traffic. AKA LA. I roll 210. not comfortable for me. Quote
Creepy Cruiser Posted December 20, 2009 Report Posted December 20, 2009 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GODSPEED-95-96-97-98-240SX-S14-KA24DE-RADIATOR-FAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c5248301cQQitemZ190359023644QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories been thinking about getting one of these for my post turbo radiator needs. seems almost to cheap to be true. Im trying to see it in a 510. or at least in a s13 so I can get an idea of clearance and cooling. but 1 fan definitely is not enough for my KA. in traffic. AKA LA. I roll 210. not comfortable for me. 20" is too tall to fit in a 510. 16" tall is about the max. You can see by the pics in my earlier post, 15" is just under the lip and at 16" most of the time it has to be trimmed. Quote
Docsis510 Posted January 6, 2010 Author Report Posted January 6, 2010 What do you guys think of this one?? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-510-Aluminum-Radiator-KA24DE-Swap-New-Release_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c526e45f7QQitemZ190361519607QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Looks thin enough so when i go turbo. Quote
BJW's FiveTen's Posted January 6, 2010 Report Posted January 6, 2010 What do you guys think of this one?? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-510-Aluminum-Radiator-KA24DE-Swap-New-Release_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c526e45f7QQitemZ190361519607QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Looks thin enough so when i go turbo. With that rad, it looks like they modified the core support. Nice Rad, Just looks a little tall. My 0.02 Thanks Bryce Quote
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