Drax240z Posted August 18, 2000 Share Posted August 18, 2000 I'm wondering if my stock 73 240z radiator will be able to cool my new 2.8 turbo engine once it goes in. I live in a pretty cold climate, with the hottest outside temps it will see being about 85F (28C). With a good electric fan, no ac, manual tranny, will this old rad keep my system cool? Or should I grab a rad out of a turbo car? I'd just like to know before I spend any money getting the rad in nice shape. ------------------ Drax240z 1973 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arif Posted August 19, 2000 Share Posted August 19, 2000 If you have a turbo radiator handy I would use it. The turbo has greater cooling capacity and depending on your mods could come in handy.Otherwise make sure the 240 rad is cleaned out good. ------------------ 400HP or bust!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy 77zt Posted August 23, 2000 Share Posted August 23, 2000 radiator should be all right.i run a 81zxt engine in 77z with ac on stock radiator.need to get a new fan clutch-it gets warm in fast food drive ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted August 23, 2000 Share Posted August 23, 2000 My 350 runs the original rad with a recore job and runs perfect. The fan I am using is out of a supercharged 3.8 pontiac bonneville. I beleive that is my key to a cooler motor. ------------------ Drewz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fast Frog Posted August 23, 2000 Share Posted August 23, 2000 Drax: I ran my super "H" turbo setup with 16-18lbs of boost with my stock '76 radiator with a shroud. It handled the on boost performance quite well-and this is in the Grand Junction area where it gets 100+ degrees in the summer. I'd go with a ZX turbo radiator and a shroud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clint78z Posted August 23, 2000 Share Posted August 23, 2000 Wasn't the 280 rad more effecient than the 240 radiator . Not sure if they upgraded the rad for turbo model only . A good cleaning at a radiator shop will go a long way . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbobluestreak Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 hey randy I have the same problem in my 280zxt in stopped locations, so I'm going to keep the clutch fan and install a pusher fan in front of my motor that will be on, I won't do anything while driving because the clutch will out perform it but at idle it will make all the diference and I might hook one to cool the I/C at idle I'm not sure yet though. tbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Gad Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 The only down side to using the 280z/280zx radiator in the 240z and that is the size. the 240Z radiator is a few inches shorter than the 280z rad. There for the radiator support is also shorter and to fit the 280 radiator in, it will hang below the radiator support. Just watch the curbs and pulling into parking spaces. If you have an airdam, then that will hang down lower than the rad and the rad support so you'll hit it first You should be fine w/ the 240z radiator as long as ... ...it is clean, you have a good fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, and run a fan shroud or go with an electric fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Z-GAD, Yeah I agree. I have the ZX rad. in my 240, and I am very paranoid about knocking the drain **** off on one of those parking barriers. Maybe one day I will make a bolt on guard Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lockjaw Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 I would run a 3 core radiator. If your 240 one is a 2 row core, you need to upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 Hey Drax, I'm in Portland and the climates similar to BC. My stock '81 turbo only starts to heat up on the hottest days (95 plus, no I don't know what celsius is)in rush hour stop and go. The only other time I see the temp climb is if I run the car hard when its a hot day. I'd plan on using the stock radiator, have it rodded. Get a good electric fan and figure a way to run a shroud around it. I'll bet you'll be fine. dan 81zxt portland oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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