K Series radiator options.

K Series radiator options.

Author
Discussion

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,173 posts

220 months

Monday 3rd October 2011
quotequote all
I've still got the original 1999 item which is looking worse for wear with it's numerous stone chipped fins. I've tweaked the engine in my time with the car and I feel that the car could do with a new improved way of cooling.

What are my options and what is the best one? I use the car for daily road use in all weathers.

Radtec and Caterham seem to be the two I know of. I've heard of Caterham rads with plastic tops or something having issues or similar but I don't know if this applies to me, probably been cured by now also.

Recommendations or second hand bargains appreciated.

Shaun_E

748 posts

267 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
quotequote all
Quite a few people I know have fitted this one: http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod... as have I. I replaced my failed Radtec with it. The Radtec is a nice piece of kit that works well but I've seen quite a few of them fail after a lot of road driving.

7 Sevens

658 posts

228 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
quotequote all
Going to do a similar upgrade myself. Is the one linked above suitable for the K series? It states Ford on the description. Whereas this one simply states S3 http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...

Aeroscreens

457 posts

233 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
quotequote all
I'm sure I know a few K-series cars that have them fitted,in fact, Shaun above is one.

The one you have linked to has the plastic headers and from reading peoples experiences on Blatchat it is these that have been replaced as many as 4 times on some owners cars. They seem to develop a leak between the ali and the plastic. I don't know if CC have resolve dthe problem or it was just a rogue batch.

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,173 posts

220 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
quotequote all
Cheers for the replies guys,

The ford item looks like the pipes and fitting line up in a similar fashion. Did the cool improve for you once swapping to this all ali rad? Also, will my standard fan fit, or will I need to buy that setup as well?

Jack_and_MLE

623 posts

246 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
I have a Radtec on my 21 with 10 inch fan, which I will upgrade to an 11 inch.
The fan upgrade is due to the fact the 10 inch fan is failing

Jack

Shaun_E

748 posts

267 months

Monday 10th October 2011
quotequote all
Yes it is shown as a Ford unit but it fits fine with a K-series. You might need a blanking plug for one of the inlets but I might be thinking of the plug I needed instead of a fan-switch as I have an ECU controlled fan.
Standard fan fits and it cools perfectly well.