l20b rad for a 510

[levigideon]

Anyone know anything about putting a 620 l20b rad in a l20b swapped 510? We measured them out, and there's a 3 inch height difference between the 2. So the only issue I can really see is vertical clearance with the hood. Anyone had to figure out a solution for this before?

If the 620 one doesn't work would a l16 rad be sufficient to keep an l20b cool in the summer?

[izzo]

If you can, find another radiator.

There was a 620 rad in my orange 510 wagon. the subframe was cut into a little bit to fit it in. Larger rad, cool! (lol pun). Cutting your frame, no cool :\ Do able tho...
I don't have pics of it, the new owner in Hawaii might, though

[levigideon]

Yeah, cutting is definitely something I'm not interested in doing. We're disposing of my brothers truck and trying to figure out what we can use from the 620 for dropping the motor into a 510. Gon be a fuuun weekend.

You think a 510 rad would still cool it enough?

[izzo]

I have a stock five ten rad in mine. Daily driven. Look inside. Is it crusty? Maybe worth paying a shop to flush it and coat it. Or fill it with some clr shit for a night. Rinse well and use it. The stock five ten rad rad is good enough to cool an l series even with a slight build. What head and does it have water ports for the intake as well as the intake?

[levigideon]

I have a stock five ten rad in mine. Daily driven. Look inside. Is it crusty? Maybe worth paying a shop to flush it and coat it. Or fill it with sine clr shit for a night. Rinse well and use it. The stock five ten rad rad is good enough to cool an l series even with a slight build. What head and does it have water ports for the intake as well as the intake?

We haven't even got our hands on an extra rad yet. This is actually for a uh, "friends" car. An over-the-weekend (or 2 or 3) resurrection.

[izzo]

Jus saying. Datsun mike mentioned using CLR, calcium lime rust... Its cheap at any type of retail like store, freddies, walmart, hell even safeway etc... I'd mix a bit heavy on the CLR side with water.

The rad in the B had a small leak. I took it in, had them flush it, fix it, coat it. Hell I couldn't get it to warm up after it sets about a 1/3 way up on the temp gauge now cruising in the summer.

[levigideon]

Thanks for the tip. We'll run it through watever we end up getting.

[datsunmike]

I think it will more than be enough to cool at idle and 'around town' but if canyon carving maybe not. I would certainly make sure that what you have is working at it's maximum. Fan shroud in place, antifreeze/coolant, good rad/heater hoses, fan belt. Block any air gaps around or below the rad with foam rubber to force all air through the rad. Paint the rad flat black to increase heat radiation.

I would be on the lookout for something better though just the same. Can it be re-cored with three rows??? I had a first gen 200sx rad in my 620. I think it was shorter top to bottom but several inches wider than the 620 rad... barely fitting between the headlights. Maybe this would fit the 510? I'll see if I still have it and measure it. The early 720 had the same rad but the top inlet was on the right side. I have one of those for sure. I'll go look see.....


16.5 by 27.5"

[devilsbullet]

for the most part I agree with the above. however, when the temps were in the 90's up here, the (i'm pretty sure stock) radiator in my goon was not quite enough to keep the car cooled while in traffic. any other time its been fine, and when not in traffic in 95 degree heat its fine.

[Laecaon]

I have a stock looking 3row radiator (some are 2 row?). With a bored out L18, I have no issues at all. It will randomly go to 3/4 on the gauge for no reason, but then drop again back to middle.

[datsunmike]

Yeah that's true, the heat must have affected me. Bigger is better. The least amount of heat is made at idle but also the least amount of fan to move the air too. If really hot you may get in trouble.

If a larger rad is not available in the near future get an electric fan for extra flow. The trouble wih this is it's not needed much and is mostly along for the ride.

[Laecaon]

And I drive my cat pretty hard. Mountain roads in 90 degree weather, shifting at 6k. It was fine.

I did CLR in my rad, and my block was hot tanked before I built it.

[flatcat19]

And I drive my cat pretty hard.

Joey?

[510freak]

VW Rabbit rads,are a cheap pretty simple upgrade(alum,cross flow)into a PL 510
there is a how to article in the DQ

[datsunmike]

And I drive my cat pretty hard.

Joey?

lultz has to be.

[izzo]

hahaha i see what you guys did thar

[devilsbullet]

ya, at speed its not so bad. between the flow from the fan and the airflow at 40-60mph it cooled well. it was when it was just sitting and baking at 5pm on i5 north that it had problems...

[GreaseMonky]

ive been dealing with sort of the same issue, I don't have a rad, for either of my 510 race cars, and have been trying to find a low budget alternative, was thinking maybe Fiero rad

[DRIVEN]

I run a '98 Jetta and it has no problem keeping up with 2.4l even on the hottest days. Inlet and outlet are on passenger side so you'll need to crossover the top hose for an Lmotor. Needs a remote filler too. The fit is nice though. I think the Fiero is a good option too.

[levigideon]

Right on. I think the rabbit radiator may be the best for an affordable alternative here.

Guess I'll see what works and what doesn't here over the next few weeks.