Radiator Placement

[Bugscandrift]

Ok, i am in the middle of a 13B NA 6port swap into the bug, and i am wondering where is a good place to mount the radiator. I dont really want to mount it to the front of the car cause i dont want to have to run ten feet of lines and stress out the waterpump and so on. I saw someone who cut out the luggage area behind the rear seat and flipped it over and put the radiator in there. Just wondering if anyone here has done that. Thats the one i was leaning towards. Because the rotary is so small, i will be able to have it partially in the line of air from the deck lid spacer. This car is mostly used for autocrossing so, driving 20-30 minutes out there, sometimes more and then driving 1.30 hard, driving home. Doesnt spend much time in traffic, but if i happen to stop for a minute, i dont want it to over heat at a stoplight. Sorry for turning this into a novel, but im sure yall understand, this is a big change and its my baby this is happening to, so i have alot to say about the subject. Thanks for any opinions/help.

[Rob]

I started with a rear mount, but decided to change it to a front mount.

Check out my website (in the sig below).



Rob.

[zen]

i'm not sure if it has been thrown out there before, but has anyone tried using 996/986 rads? albeit some of the same placement issues, i would expect the smaller size and split placement might be a slight advantage (cost wouldn't be in most cases).

[volkdent]

Rob,

Like the progress, looking very good.

About those pipes under the car, not such a good idea IMHO. You may want to run them in the channels where the body bolts to the pan or next to the pan under the running boards, but where they are is asking for a big ol headache. If this is just to try things out, please disregard. But if your planning on driving it like this for any length of time, I would seriously reconsider. One odd driveway entrance angle will crimp those guys closed and then you burning up a head before you know it.

Jason

[Steve C]

Hi

The best place for air flow is in the front, a guy on another forum (look for use name Baja Wes on http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com) I visit fitted a V6 Mazda motor to a Baja with the radiator above the trans, he has over heating issues at higher highway speeds.

On my old 1302 I ran 1.5 inch stainless tubes to the front of the car, they followed the chassis bolts under the pan, my car was pretty low and I never had an issue with them hitting the road.

Steve

[ricola]

These are my main and chargecooler radiators.

Unless you have a seriously good reason or a very small engine I woldn't even consider a rear mount radiator. There is NO substitute for natural air flow.

Rich

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Steve C

On my old 1302 I ran 1.5 inch stainless tubes to the front of the car, they followed the chassis bolts under the pan, my car was pretty low and I never had an issue with them hitting the road.

Steve, how did you mount the tubes ? Did you bend them to follow the lines ?
Got any pictures of that setup ?

Thanks,

Rob.