mx5cartalk.com

The top tank on my standard radiator needs replacing, so I'm thinking about putting a 52mm aluminium unit (probably ASI) into my SE and was wondering if anyone has had any particular fitment issues with standard fans, large sway bars, intercooler plumbing etc?

The car is now used almost exclusively for track work.

Many thanks in advance...

I too am looking at an ASI 52mm radiator for my SE. I would love to know if there are any fitment issues as well.

I got the 42mm one for my NA6, and one bolt on my left fan (when looking at the car from the plate) wouldn't match. The fan's not loose at all, but that's the only flaw. And the coolant drainage release bolt doesn't line up with the hole in the middle of the plastic tray

52mm ASI radiator into SE is really tight. There is minimal clearance between the swap bar and bottom tank using the 42 mm version. If you have std intercooler and intake piping then it will be exceptionally tight. I would suggets running the 42 mm, it is still much larger than the OEM and makes a big difference.

Thanks Russell, you confirmed what I thought I'd read elsewhere. I guess I'll go the 42mm and see how it pans out.

Regards...

Yea, I just insalled the 52mm after my factory top tank split. it is a very tight fit but with a bit of trimming of the thermo fans (under the top hose, next to the intercooler piping on both sides) it fit in quite nice. the top hose is pressing slightly against the fan shroud so im thinking some heat wrapping just to be safe but otherwise it fits, snug, but fits. also make sure you replace the factory spring clamps with the screw type ones. must of my time was spent trying to work those stupid things until i just gave up and bought some new clamps.

LOWlife wrote:also make sure you replace the factory spring clamps with the screw type ones. must of my time was spent trying to work those stupid things until i just gave up and bought some new clamps.

Spring clamps are superior, provided they haven't been damaged. They self adjust with every heat cycle and the OEM style design is impossible to under/over tighten as the correct tension is engineered into the clamp itself.

Locutus wrote:

LOWlife wrote: engineered into the clamp itself.

As is the ability to shred fingers and be a royal pain in the ass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sure, spring clamps might be better at clamping, but they also suck major dick to work with in small and awkward spaces.

I guess each has their pros and cons, but i just see more pro's with the screw type in my opinion.

When I first started working on these cars I hated the OEM clamps with a passion, but once you get the hang of it they're totally straight forward.