Upgraded Radiator

[graeme_laslett]

Hi All

 

I've managed to put a nice big hole in the front clam (note to self, don't start the car whilst in gear, especially when parked behind a volvo), so I've taken the front clam off and getting up to speed with fiberglass repair kits and the difference between glass fiber mat and glass fiber tissue!!!

 

Anyway, the front clam is off and I'm running the original (1999) radiator with plastic ends. On a recent track way I was getting the temps upto 90 / 92 c on flying laps.

 

Are the "extra capacity" radiators that elise parts / elise shop sell worth it? Is this something that I should consider now and try and reduce my running temps or should I just leave it well alone - it's not broke so dont fix it

 

Your thoughts most welome

 

Thanks

 

G

[Dave C]

I'm no expert on running temps but 90 or there abouts sounds pretty normal to me.

 

The plastics end caps at the weak spot on the rad however as yours is quite old now I guess there are not that weak . Sods law will dictate however that as soon as you re-assemble it all the end caps will fail so why not stick a new one on whilst you are at it

[jonathan eco man]

change it asap ..it will go pop from the plastic end that meets the metal parts..me thinks the plastic must age and go brittle over time ....the all alloy rad is money well spent

[Martin R]

You dont need the triple pass job unless you are running big power or racing. The normal ally one will do.

[stockhome]

I replaced mine with a eliseparts 42mm core and had much more stable temps on track

[jimbo07g41]

If the plastic end caps go pop in a big way or you have a leak and you dont notice it you could end up with...........HGF.

 

The alloy rads are much less likely to fail if they are all alloy construction. More important than flow rate, triple pass, size etc etc...

 

I like mine because the rad is black and looks great under my Red clam!

 

If you can afford it go for it.

[graeme_laslett]

Thanks for the comments - Think I'm going to upgrade before the current one goes pop. The current one also has some serious dents in it which can't be helping.

 

Any difference between the Elise Parts rad (http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/84/221/aluminium-high-pressure-radiator/) and the Elise Shop one (http://www.elise-shop.com/aluminium-high-pressure-extra-capacity-radiator-all-models-p-345.html) ?

 

Thanks

 

G

[jonathan eco man]

Thanks for the comments - Think I'm going to upgrade before the current one goes pop. The current one also has some serious dents in it which can't be helping.

 

Any difference between the Elise Parts rad (http://www.elisepart...ssure-radiator/) and the Elise Shop one (http://www.elise-sho...dels-p-345.html) ?

 

Thanks

 

G

 

 

While your at it ...fit a PTP cooling kit http://www.ptp-ltd.co.uk/shop/239/lotus/lotus_elise_s1/cooling_system/index.htm

improves the flow around the engine ..and prevents 'hot' spots ...money well spent ....