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which kombi radiator?

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crazyfiggi Wolfsburg Wizard

657 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#488883
Hey everyone, what radiators does everyone run under their kombis? Would it need to be bigger than the standard subaru liberty one? At the moment im thinking about using either vl commodore or falcon with the standard thermo fans. Whats everyones thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Alex.

kevo Officially Full-On Dubber

371 posts · joined Mar 2005 ·

#489029
it really doesnt matter too much man, common sense really,
there is no 'correct size' for a rad, the trick is to have constant air flow and make sure of no hot or 'used' air is in curculation through the rad, fins fix this if its underneath etc...

there is so many friggin forums for this discussion, go back to privious pages and you will find heaps o info
76 baywindow kombi - V8 & Weddle racing diff and gearbox
Daily driven beach cruiser

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#489073
hx holden v8 fits nicely between the chassis rails

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Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

GeorgeL Officially Full-On Dubber

231 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#489454
crazyfiggi wrote:Hey everyone, what radiators does everyone run under their kombis?
I don't think that there is any "common" radiator. It seems to be more what is available and what the individual is used to working with.

You want the radiator to fit the space (between rails, below rails, your choice!).

You want it to have as large a surface area as possible, since you don't get as much ram air effect underneath.

You want the inlet and outlet to be in a convenient location to run straight aft.

It is better to have a larger surface area radiator, as opposed to a multiple core radiator, in low airflow applications. You have a lot of room under there, so why not use it!

Shrouding is really important. You need to keep hot air separate from cold air.

George

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#489535
crazyfiggi wrote:Hey everyone, what radiators does everyone run under their kombis? Would it need to be bigger than the standard subaru liberty one? At the moment im thinking about using either vl commodore or falcon with the standard thermo fans. Whats everyones thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Alex.
No, it should not need to be bigger as long as it gets enough airflow.

Standard thermos should be ok as long as they are shrowded.

The best place for good airflow, is the front of the car. Everywhere else is compromised in some way. That's not to say it can't be made to work though. My rad is at the back, helbus/brad's rad are underneath. But it takes scoops and other such stuff.

If you want simple, buy a metal spare wheel cover for the front bullbar. Put the rad inside it and have the front of the wheel cover replaced with ricer mesh to let the air in. It will be subtle and cool well. No one will know it's even a radiator unless they look very closely. You might need a square rad though.



[ Edited on 17-5-2006 by pete wood ]
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

HotRodMatt If it\'s old or rare - cut it!

3,616 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#489538
If you put it up front don't make it look like a dogs breakfast.

Make it tidy...

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#489561
don't tell me you call that TIDY.🙁

I hated all the louvres in the front of the CBB limo. Ruined the whole front panel IMHO. But then I guess it's just my opinion.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

crazyfiggi Wolfsburg Wizard

657 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#489725
Thanks everyone, im heading out to pick n payless this weekend to have a look at some different radiators. Hopefully i will be able to find something that will fit between the chassis rails nicely. Has anyone ever used two radiators in their systems? A big one under the car and a smaller one in the side of the engine bay which would also be used for filling the system? Its just an idea even tho i will most likely be using just one.
Thanks,
Alex.

kombibob AKA: Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter Van Robert

1,698 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#489740
try this http://community.webshots.com/user/danzin
now my bus
1961 swb buggy
1960 karmann ghia
1963 Single Cab: "El Concreto"
1963 bent 23 window " Frieda Samba "
1963 Eriba Faun camper " Cara Van daCamp"
2012 Skoda Octavia scout

Get down low and go,go,go

GeorgeL Officially Full-On Dubber

231 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#489816
crazyfiggi wrote:Thanks everyone, im heading out to pick n payless this weekend to have a look at some different radiators. Hopefully i will be able to find something that will fit between the chassis rails nicely. Has anyone ever used two radiators in their systems? A big one under the car and a smaller one in the side of the engine bay which would also be used for filling the system? Its just an idea even tho i will most likely be using just one.
Thanks,
Alex.
Two radiators are a Bad Idea unless you absolutely have to use them. You end up with balancing problems and with a plumber's nightmare of hoses. On a bus you will have plenty of room, either underneath or in front, to use one good-sized radiator.

George

boof2332 Custom Title Time!

1,210 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#489824
I would consider using two like the porsche 996, only if they were new and next to no $$$. There is no reason why you need two if you have the option. The second as a fill pot would be a waste of space and not needed if the other is set up properly. Also if you are going turbo, then you may need another radiator for water to air cooler ...if you used that option.

I am about to do a split wrx conversion and I will be using one.

Matt

crazyfiggi Wolfsburg Wizard

657 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#490099
Thanks everyone, ill have a go at it and post my set up here when im done.
Alex.

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#490246
boof2332 wrote:I would consider using two like the porsche 996, only if they were new and next to no $$$. There is no reason why you need two if you have the option. The second as a fill pot would be a waste of space and not needed if the other is set up properly. Also if you are going turbo, then you may need another radiator for water to air cooler ...if you used that option.

I am about to do a split wrx conversion and I will be using one.

Matt
I hope you'll be putting some bracing in the body to handle the torque.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

axel77 Learner Dubber

11 posts · joined Aug 2006 ·

#528454
What about relocating the battery, and using two small linked radiators in series(with individual shrouding and thermos) to cool the engine bay as Vw intended. That way you don't have 18 litres of coolant in your system as I do with the radiator up front, or a radiator hanging down underneath which compromises the offroad ability, or on the back where it doesn't cool properly becuase of the low pressure cell. If I were to do it again I'd go split system. What do you guys reckon?

Take it easy, Axel.

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#528639
axel77 wrote:What about relocating the battery, and using two small linked radiators in series(with individual shrouding and thermos) to cool the engine bay as Vw intended. That way you don't have 18 litres of coolant in your system as I do with the radiator up front, or a radiator hanging down underneath which compromises the offroad ability, or on the back where it doesn't cool properly becuase of the low pressure cell. If I were to do it again I'd go split system. What do you guys reckon?

Take it easy, Axel.
someone on here actually did that ages ago, cant remember hwo though. looked great! i suppose downside was the normal one, blowing hot radiator air over the engine.
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool

axel77 Learner Dubber

11 posts · joined Aug 2006 ·

#528853
Good point, but I reckon with the right shrouding you could overcome this. Also the scavenging effect of the air passing underneath the car would help remove the heat from the engine bay. I did see some pictures (linked from this site) from some German guys apparently with a diesel engine who used this setup.

Any further comments appreciated.

Cheers, Axel.

mattie182 Wolfsburg Wizard

466 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#528954
The guy that ownes the VW shop up here in Rocky, has two golf rad either side of his engine cooling the EJ22. He had to put bigger scoops on the side to get enough air flow, but it all works well, He even races it in Rally Sprints


Mat
Once you go flat, you never go back!!!!!!

splity65 Slammed & Awesome Dubber

75 posts · joined Jan 2005 ·

#528964
pete wood wrote:don't tell me you call that TIDY.🙁

I hated all the louvres in the front of the CBB limo. Ruined the whole front panel IMHO. But then I guess it's just my opinion.
You know Pete my mum always told me if you have nothing nice to say about something than say NOTHING.

I saw the car pictured here driving at Bondi Beach just one week ago and I would have to say I did not even nothice that grill. That is super neat. Maybe you should look up the meaning of NEAT in the dictionary.

Have a nice day. :kiss

[ Edited on 1-9-2006 by splity65 ]

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#530813
it works well, again that is part of the custom offroad ej22 conversion, like the sump on the other post.

Are you doing a subie conversion? If you are, it'd be worth going and talking to them. They do a very reasonably priced kit with almost everything you need including a garanteed motor and the rego plates I believe.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

GeorgeL Officially Full-On Dubber

231 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#531105
vw2b wrote:I found some pics on the Manx Club Site : http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/EJ22DC



Looks very neat, I wonder how it cools ?
It's a very clean install, but helbus' experience with this sort of setup is that it requires the electric fan running to cool sufficiently at cruising speed. This presents another failure mode that I don't fancy having.

I believe that a simple scoop and exit duct would fix this problem. Get a little stagnation pressure working for the radiator.

George