fitting a koyo radiator issue

[Okibi]

Brad, your car still has a thermostat, the engine won't be running too cold. Sooner or later we will have a Perth summer and you'll be glad you have a better radiator, i'm trying to suss out how I can fit my old PWR/FM radiator into the SE.

[Roadrunner]

I think your confusing two things here MrBrad.
- A good radiator will prevent the engine overheating "when it is at or above operating temperature" and shouldn't be skimped on.
- In regards to starting from cold and getting up to operating temp, that's the domain of the thermostat:

The thermostat restricts the flow of water out of the engine when cold. This allows the engine to heat up to operating temperature without cooled circulating water from the radiator slowing the heating process down.
When thermostat temp is reached (88degs??) the thermostat then opens allowing circulation of hot water out of the engine and cooled water from the radiator back into the engine to stop it overheating.
If the cooled water from the radiator brings the engine temp down below its designed threshold, the thermostat simply closes back over slightly to restrict flow again, aiming to maintain a constant ideal temperature.

So while an upgraded efficient radiator is highly recommended and makes a big difference to cooling abilities when engine temps get high, it won't effect how long the engine takes to get up to, or maintain operating temperature.

[StanTheMan]

But with more water to heat up, would it not take a bit extra to warm up the the water from when it is cold until it gets to operating temp?

[Roadrunner]

The water is stagnant* in the engine while the thermostat is closed, so it's only the amount in the engine that's being heated by the block.
You could have a 5000l water tank hooked up to a refrigerant system, it's all irrelevant until the thermostat opens and allows that water to circulate.

This is why people who remove the thermostat completely have issues with getting the engine up to operating temperature.

*its not really stagnant but for explanations sake imagine it is.

[MrBrad]

thanks Stan! hahaha don't tell me that people in NSW know about the wheel issue hahaha...

[StanTheMan]

thanks Stan! hahaha don't tell me that people in NSW know about the wheel issue hahaha...

birds are tweeting it from roof tops.

[Magpie]

Also remember the way heat moves, it is always towards the coolest (second law of thermodynamics). This explains why your coffee gets colder but the cup gets hotter, until they are at the same temperature and then the cup/coffee will cool down to the ambient temperature.

However, an engines NORMAL operating temperature is more about emissions and fuel economy than power.

[MrBrad]

Tried fitting it last night couldnt make it fit.... have reverted to a genuine radiator for the time being... maybe some thinner thermo fans would do it. As it is.everything is quite hard up against them with the stock radiator and downpipe..

First bloody 28 degree day and the car is in pieces still..... murphys law can screw itself

[Okibi]

Not enough room between the thermos and the sway?

[MrBrad]

no sway bar was fine, its the down pipe and thermo fans. already it's tight up against it (with stock), with the koyo in, it has no room to even put the intercooler pipe to it by about an inch.