6-16-08: Fluidyne Radiator Install.

I recently put in a PLX DM200 OBD gauge so I can watch my coolant temps and IATs on a regular basis and other OBD2 sensors on occasion.  A few weeks ago, we had a heat wave where the temps went into the 90s F.  My coolant temps went up to 230*F, which made me nervous.  When my new engine is done, I'll need more cooling capacity, so I decided to install a Fluidyne radiator.

Here are pictures of the stock Cobra radiator.  Notice how thin the stock radiator is:

Here are pictures of the Fluidyne radiator before installation.

Here it is installed.  It was a very tight fit:

12/29/09:

So after only 18 months, the Fluidyne started leaking.  I took it out to see if it could be repaied, but the guys at Radiator Doctor in San Jose said it was leaking in about 30 places, and could not be repaired.  I checked with Fluidyne, and they said all they could do was refer me to the guy they use to repair their radiators in Fullerton, CA.  I had the guys at Radiator Doctor build me a custom copper core radiator the same size as the Fluidyne.  They tell me it will flow twice as much as the Fluidyne and it is repairable.  In fact, they give a lifetime warranty as long as I change the antifreeze yearly (or every 5 years if I use GM coolant).

Here is a picture of the two radiators side by side:

Here is where the main Fluidyne leaks were coming from:

Click here to see a high res picture of the leaky part.

FYI, the Fluidyne weighed 14.5 lbs empty, while the new copper one weighs 22.5 lbs empty.

12/31/09:

I got the new radiator in and burped the system today.  No leaks and working fine.

Click here to see a higher res picture of the new radiator.

8/5/11:

I weighed the old Fluidyne radiator and learned that it actually weighs 13.5 lbs vs the spec of 14.5 lbs.  I then weighed it filled with water and learned that it weighed 22.5 lbs, which means it holds 9 lbs of water, or just over a gallon.