83turbo280zx Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 So i've been dealing with radiator problems for a while, so instead of spending the $200+ for a stock replacement, or biting the bullet and spending $300 on an aluminum radiator for my zx i invested in a 3 row aluminum radiator for the s13 chassis with an sr20 swap. The radiator cost me $89 plus shipping, CX Racing, its kind of like OBX another ebay brand but they've gone way up in quality since they first came along. A buddy of mine runs one in his 2jz powered s14 240sx. Anyways, here is a write up on how to adapt this radiator into the s130 chassis, im sure with a little more modification it could fit into an s30 no problem. Instead of running 3/4 of the way on my temp gauge with the stock radiator and a pusher puller combo of electric fans, i now have only a puller fan operating and it cools under halfway on the temp gauge, this is with plenty of 80mph plus WOT pulls down the freeway. I also live in Texas one of the hottest parts of the country. So start off pulling your old radiator out You have to make sure you do get the SR20 radiator for the s13 because the KA24 radiator has the upper radiator hose connection at the opposite side of the L28 Radiator. The S13 radiator is about 1/4" wider on each side, which is no problem, but you're not going to retain the stock mounting positions, the s13 radiator is also a little thinner, and shorter, so you want to make sure you mount it level and high enough so the radiator cap clears the radiator support. i made some brackets out of some steel from home depot so that it would mount up flush and level Your lower radiator hose will still work fine with this radiator, but the upper radiator hose doesnt extend far enough to the hose connection on the s13 radiator, so you have to substitute for a different radiator hose. Its gates part # 22165 which fits a 1994-1997 Mazda Miata 1.8L 4 banger. Once you get all that connected, hook up your electric fans and fill with coolant and you're good to go. I have my fans hardwired to key on for now until i get a thermal fan switch. Im not sure how the factory fan shroud would hook up to this radiator as i did the electric fan conversion a while back. If anyone has any questions or wants some brackets made, etc. feel free to e-mail me sk84life1122@sbcglobal.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolonelklink87 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I ran one of these for a while after getting the idea off yet another member... they're a good solid unit... brought the temp down to themostat threshold on the highway on a moderately warm day... -pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83turbo280zx Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 I ran one of these for a while after getting the idea off yet another member... they're a good solid unit... brought the temp down to themostat threshold on the highway on a moderately warm day... -pete yea i had a pusher and puller fan on my stock radiator, i think now im going to have to wire my pusher fan as an emergency fan incase it starts to get too hot, or to use when the ac is running. i went to purge the coolant system when i re-filled it with the new radiator and couldn't get the thermostat to open cause it was cooling so well lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pallnet Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I have touched on this a little a while back. I ordered an aftermarket KOYO radiator for an SR swap into an S13. The hoses are in the right spot for the L28ET swap. Well it didn't workout because of how close the engine is to the radiator, the upper hose was resting against the turbo distributor cap. I pulled the SR radiator and replaced it with a new KA aftermarket radiator which put the upper hose on the other side, this worked much better for my L28ET powered S13. I took the aftermarket SR radiator and fit it into my S30. It will fit perfectly, mounts just need to be made. It honestly looks like the stock S13, S14, Maxima or even a bunch of other upper radiator mounts could be retro fitted to make this setup work, I'm not sure about the lowers but i do know I could make something work. HHUUMMM, I still have my S30 and I still have the SR radiator, I might have to look into a installation so that i can mockup some brackets for possible production. pallnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaito Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Waking up an old thread. Touching base with what pallnet said, I just purchased an sr20 koyorad for my s30 and its not going to fit without modification. Its about 1/2 inch too wide so I plan on notching the frame rails a bit to make it fit. I plan to notch the rails and cap them with 18 gauge. We shall see...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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