Upgrading Radiator System Questions on Components

[Jim-C]

I installed two 10" puller fans. Purchased from Summit Racing, $65.00 each.
Working great.

[turbophil]

Mr. Jim- Did you just will the electricity to those fans??

[holmz]

Originally Posted by turbophil

Mr. Jim- Did you just will the electricity to those fans??

Using them as a placebo first is a good idea to do a double blind test.

[Jim-C]

Originally Posted by turbophil

Mr. Jim- Did you just will the electricity to those fans??

Good eye. I need to update that picture. I should leave them disconnected and see if that helps my low voltage.

or

That's how us hillbillies wire things.

[sfelise]

So I'm contemplating having the radiator changed out at the dealers when they do the oil line recall. Since the dealer would be doing it, I'd like to keep it as straightforward as possible so there can be no finger pointing. Any opinions on what is currently a good radiator/bracket/fan setup?

I plan on keeping the A/C and intend to put a supercharger on my Elise. It will see some hot track days. Is proalloy single pass, and sector111 upper fan bracket kit the way to go at this point?

[<@¿@>]

Install this....
Pro Alloy Motorsport - Specialist alloy components - Lotus Elise,Exige,340R,211,Europa Alloy Race Radiator

[driftwood]

Originally Posted by sfelise

So I'm contemplating having the radiator changed out at the dealers when they do the oil line recall. Since the dealer would be doing it, I'd like to keep it as straightforward as possible so there can be no finger pointing. Any opinions on what is currently a good radiator/bracket/fan setup?

I plan on keeping the A/C and intend to put a supercharger on my Elise. It will see some hot track days. Is proalloy single pass, and sector111 upper fan bracket kit the way to go at this point?

if you are having a dealer install it then they may only work with pro-alloy & no other brand...

but in my opinion, i would want a single pass unit (which iirc pro-alloy doesn't supply)

[mwhite]

I have contacted Wizard Cooling and they are coming out with a direct replacement radiator for the Elise. I was looking at replacing with the oil line recall. They say the new radiator will be a good replacement for the stock radiator and they also have a "track" radiator that is currently available. I am looking to get the new model and have it installed. I told Scott Attig from Wizard I would let everyone know there will be another radiator solution coming out by within the next month or so.

[philethier]

Originally Posted by mwhite

I have contacted Wizard Cooling and they are coming out with a direct replacement radiator for the Elise. I was looking at replacing with the oil line recall. They say the new radiator will be a good replacement for the stock radiator and they also have a "track" radiator that is currently available. I am looking to get the new model and have it installed. I told Scott Attig from Wizard I would let everyone know there will be another radiator solution coming out by within the next month or so.

I am very interested in this.

[AustinP]

Originally Posted by driftwood

if you are having a dealer install it then they may only work with pro-alloy & no other brand...

but in my opinion, i would want a single pass unit (which iirc pro-alloy doesn't supply)

The ProAlloy UK website lists both single pass and triple pass versions, all else same (twin row, 45mm thick). They also show the top mount fan kit (twin Spal fans, laser cut mount).

[turbophil]

We just got in a pallet of single pass PA rads... also testing a similar single pass made in the US, buy a brand some of you know


-PV

[mwhite]

Looks like I'm going to wait for Wizard Cooling to develop the newer "non racing" radiator which is suppose to be a single pass all aluminum and a direct install. Scot says he will have it soon and I will look to have Sports and Specialists Cars (Princeon Lotus) install. Here is what Scot advised me:

"If you haven't done anything to increase the HP, just wait. The new rad will save you some money. It will still cool better than stock, but the part will be less and since you are having someone else do the work you will be paying less for labor on the new version. Our plan is to offer 2 units. The current one will be for the hard core racer guys, the new one will be for the dealerships and the more stock applications."

This may give the "street" cars a good option.

[tmr]

"If you haven't done anything to increase the HP, just wait. The new rad will save you some money. It will still cool better than stock, but the part will be less and since you are having someone else do the work you will be paying less for labor on the new version. Our plan is to offer 2 units. The current one will be for the hard core racer guys, the new one will be for the dealerships and the more stock applications."

I gave them feedback that their radiator was somewhat thicker than stock and did require slight modification to fit. Maybe this is the response?

[holmz]

Originally Posted by AustinP

The ProAlloy UK website lists both single pass and triple pass versions, all else same (twin row, 45mm thick). They also show the top mount fan kit (twin Spal fans, laser cut mount).

Exactly.

Originally Posted by turbophil

We just got in a pallet of single pass PA rads... also testing a similar single pass made in the US, buy a brand some of you know of
-PV

Exactly.

Why would someone get an unknown unit from wizard in the future if you know ProAlloy has a decent unit now?

[glb]

Originally Posted by tmr

I gave them feedback that their radiator was somewhat thicker than stock and did require slight modification to fit. Maybe this is the response?

Yes, a bit of work required.

Originally Posted by holmz

Why would someone get an unknown unit from wizard in the future if you know ProAlloy has a decent unit now?

IIRC, there were 2-3 reports of the ProAlloy failing early. BUT, I may be thinking of the ProRad that Sector111 offers.

I trust Wizard. Their "original" unit was very nicely made.

I don't know cost differences, but Wizard was $430 + shipping.

[mwhite]

The reason I am looking at the Wizard is that they have very good reviews for the unit that is currently in use and this new unit will not require any modification. The current product was designed for the "track cars" and this new model will be thinner and for "street" use. It is also supposed to be less expensive than the race model. I don't want to use a unit that requires other modification to the cooling system. This is more of a "factory" replacement option. I understand those using their cars for racing would want to go to a much thicker unit, that would just be overkill for me. I have my formula vee that I get my racing kicks out of.

[AustinP]

Originally Posted by glb

Yes, a bit of work required.



IIRC, there were 2-3 reports of the ProAlloy failing early. BUT, I may be thinking of the ProRad that Sector111 offers.

I trust Wizard. Their "original" unit was very nicely made.

I don't know cost differences, but Wizard was $430 + shipping.

The Sector111 "ProRad" *is* made by Pro Alloy. FWIW, Pro Alloy made a design change in April 2011 ("new design side plates with expansion joints"), I'm pretty sure those failures were before that. I would guess that the change was in response to reported failures, but of course I don't know for sure. I haven't heard of any recent failures of new units, has anyone else?

[ageshelin]

I, just like most NASCAR and other racing teams, have been using Ron Davis radiators for the last 20 years. It is great stuff that all others are maesured against. It is not the cheapest.

The we site lists Lotus stock mount:

Ron Davis aluminum radiators for racing, offroad, performance street car, and other custom applications

I had a racing rad made. It is 3" thick, so no provisions for A/C, although it looks like there is room there.... It is a triple pass. I run 700hp, on a cool day on a tight track but I never got above 160. My fan has only turned on when I idle the car for 20 mins in the shop. I run an electric water pump and no thermostat.

Based on the size of the stock radiator location, I was promised 550hp with triple-pass. Perhaps it would easily do that, full out for hours in 95F weather with some breathing room....

Anton

[driftwood]

Originally Posted by AustinP

The ProAlloy UK website lists both single pass and triple pass versions, all else same (twin row, 45mm thick). They also show the top mount fan kit (twin Spal fans, laser cut mount).

nice, for a while PA didn't offer single pass as far as i saw...

[tmr]

The reason I am looking at the Wizard is that they have very good reviews for the unit that is currently in use and this new unit will not require any modification. The current product was designed for the "track cars" and this new model will be thinner and for "street" use. It is also supposed to be less expensive than the race model. I don't want to use a unit that requires other modification to the cooling system. This is more of a "factory" replacement option. I understand those using their cars for racing would want to go to a much thicker unit, that would just be overkill for me. I have my formula vee that I get my racing kicks out of.

It works fine for street use here in the sunny south, as conditions here in traffic can get pretty warm. You might not need it in Pennsylvania, but it would be a selling point to your next owner. The modification required is not impossible, it's just that it wasn't claimed or expected. I posted a few photos earlier in this thread showing what had to be done.

I agree that the Wizard is well-made and I picked them due to single pass plus no bad reviews by anyone on the forum. Others did have problems with ones from other sources, some of them being triple-pass models. So far, so good after over a year's service, including one day in traffic last summer when ambient temperature was around 105 F.