catslidefarm Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I have a 1983 Westfield. It is running hot and I'm wondering whether there is a newer, more efficient radiator I could install. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20Vx Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Message from across the pond (I was surfing and saw this). Don't know what engine you have in the Westie, but fitting a good quality, hi-volume fan helped me when I hjad similar problems with a hi-output crossflow (though I did get a bigger rad in the end - another story). Fitting a manual over-ride switch on the dash (with suitable relay) is also a regular mod in the U.K. Helps when sitting in slow moving or stationary traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 The radiator of choice for Westfields is the 2-core unit from the early ‘90s VW Golf. It’s very light (3.87lb vs. 16.5lb for the stock radiator from that era) inexpensive even when shipped from the UK, and works shockingly well. I have a 210hp Duratec fitted and the car has been through the desert and in vile stop & go traffic in 100F temps with no issues. I will caveat the latter by stating I have a very powerful Spal 12” fan to keep things cool at idle. There is more info on this radiator in this sticky post on WSCC. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20Vx Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I run with this radiator here http://www.radtec.co.uk/index.php?p0=detail&id=227&cpid=&cid=56&partNo=RC7 on both a (reasonably) hi power x-flow and a suitably tweaked 16v GM unit - and it copes well. Unfortunately NOT cheap in UK and so even worse in US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I bought the Radtec Caterham7 Extreme radiator to get the max cooling since there is an intercooler in front of the radiator. It cools better than the Caterham race radiator I had before it. Total cost with shipping was over $800 but I think it was worth it. It takes a very hot day at a track with lots of long straights to get the temps up near the red zone (120C). It has a 13" Spal fan behind the radiator to help with city driving and set the fan to come on at 80C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Pardon my ignorance but what is so special about the radtec rad? I haven't seen them mentioned here but on numerous occasions I have used Saldana Racing Products in Brownsburg, IN for specialty rads, quite successfully I might add. Custom aluminum rads are their main business. I'm confident that, if someone could supply them with the specs, they could supply a replacement at a very competitive price. They made a run of aluminum for a bunch of us Europa owners, considerably cheaper (almost 1/2 price!) from a company that had previously supplied them to the group. And "Made in America" to boot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midgetracr Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 I agree that Saldana makes a quality product at fair prices. John Meyers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilo Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Given that thing is from '83 ..the car at least who knows re the mechanical bits true ages. It's unlikely it has run hot for almost 30 years AND is still operable. There are many causes of overheat : Fuel raitio, Timings Ign and valve , failing: headgasket, waterpump, thermostat, hoses and even the rad fan and the perennial suspect the rad itself. There is a Looong list to check... before... simply replacing the rad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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