| Author |
Message |
mack00
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2005
Posts: 173
Location: marietta georgia usa
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 9:02 am Post subject: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
 |
|
Almost done with exhaust work. Planning radiator/cooling next. Looking for ideas and suggestions from those who have been down this road. 2.5 in a 69 single cab so belly mounted radiator is my only option i think. Radiator choices - crossflow/downflow? Inlet/outlet tanks on sides or front/rear? My plan is to weld up 1.5" exhaust tube routed along the frame rails with raditor hose making the eng. & radiator connections. I'll be using an expansion tank since the radiator will be lower than the engine.
All ideas/suggestions welcome. PM me if you would like to avoid the haters.
Thanks Jon |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50351
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
| I have toyed with the idea of putting the radiator up front just inside the skin and ducting the hot air downward as done on a Vanagon. For the inlet opening in the skin I was thinking about a cutout the shape of a VW symbol. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
68 Bay
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2008
Posts: 189
Location: FRESH coast!!!!
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
my bay is slammed and wouldn't work for me to run the
radiator underneath being so low so mounted the radiator on top
of my roof rack, running the cooling lines through the side vents of the bay
also had a guy make me a cover, which ended up looking like a cooler so hope that helps and this is what i mean.
https://youtu.be/1EZTz_ZwHaI |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mlesniak
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015
Posts: 350
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
Belly mount is your best bet, id use a dodge ram radiator, as it fits nicely between the rails and gives the best cooling you need.
I saw something about a barbed fitting for the thermostat housing...
http://subaruvanagon.com/tom/Cooling%20System.htm
This should explain it better than me haha .
_________________
Rosita the 73' Tin-top |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BusPriest
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2014
Posts: 420
Location: Denver, Co
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
| 68 Bay wrote: |
my bay is slammed and wouldn't work for me to run the
radiator underneath being so low so mounted the radiator on top
of my roof rack, running the cooling lines through the side vents of the bay
also had a guy make me a cover, which ended up looking like a cooler so hope that helps and this is what i mean.
https://youtu.be/1EZTz_ZwHaI |
Did Steve in Dallas make this for you?
Have you finished this set up yet to know if it works for sure?
_________________
1977 Champagne Transporter Custom Camper.
SOHC EJ25, tubbed, wagenswest
Work in progress build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619684
Not a Priest. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mack00
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2005
Posts: 173
Location: marietta georgia usa
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
[quote="mlesniak"]Belly mount is your best bet, id use a dodge ram radiator, as it fits nicely between the rails and gives the best cooling you need.
What year/model Ram are you referring to? Have you used this radiator? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mlesniak
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015
Posts: 350
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
Any dodge ram pickup, id stick with late 90s to early 00s since theyre available and affordable. And i have not used this but ive been researching conversions for a while... Its the 5.9l to be exact.
And also ive talked to lots if people with subaru conversions using the dodge ram radiator and the belly mount and there seems to be no better way... The guy driving his bus around south america (Argentina now... Has a forum posted on here) in his subaru baywindow uses the same setup. Very efficient and clean, im also going this route...
_________________
Rosita the 73' Tin-top |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16879
Location: sticksville, ct.
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
| mlesniak wrote: |
| there seems to be no better way..... |
custom aluminum. can withstand strikes. plastic tanked radiators and they way they need to be mounted appear to be issues waiting to happen.
plus, the weight of a radiator full of coolant, fan & fan mount don't do the side tanks and their shoelace seals any favors either.a radiator gets pretty heavy with coolant in it. ymmv...
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jokgel
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2015
Posts: 47
Location: North-Germany
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
like this maybe
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mack00
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2005
Posts: 173
Location: marietta georgia usa
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 3:32 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| mlesniak wrote: |
| there seems to be no better way..... |
custom aluminum. can withstand strikes. |
I never considered a plastic tank unit. Does not seem like a great option. I guess it would need some sort of cage/bracket installation.
Skills are saying have a custom aluminum radiator built?
jokgel that front end install looks great. What are you using for coolant lines?
68 bay. Nice setup on top. Another great option for a bus - not a pickup. Guess you might have clearance issues in some garages. Are you using 1.5 " hose for the whole setup? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50351
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
.
Nice job, very similar to what I had in mind. 
| jokgel wrote: |
like this maybe
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mlesniak
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015
Posts: 350
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
The "Theres seems to be no better way" comment was regarding the belly mount cooling set up... Not the dodge ram radiator, however many seem to have used it for their conversion. I was going to also ...but i just found this
All aluminum from a 98 grand cherokee
http://m.genesisautoparts.com/product/all41636x2335aa.htm?gclid=CJbuhIvIjMoCFVQYHwodaeQIUw
_________________
Rosita the 73' Tin-top |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
captincanuck
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2014
Posts: 730
Location: The Great White North
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16879
Location: sticksville, ct.
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 7:39 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
| mack00 wrote: |
Skills are saying have a custom aluminum radiator built?
|
loose lips sink ships. I went thru a lot b.s. on my swap. someone asked what radiator I was using so I told them and they ran the other way due to cost. that was the moment I decided that most guys won't spend the money or take my (very hard earned, expensive for me to figure out) advice. so why bother giving it out?
the only thing I would say is I have seen plastic tanks leak on a conventional aluminum/plastic radiators that were installed in the cars they were designed for. I feel laying them flat is a bad idea due to mounting configurations.
I spoke at length with webwalker about his layout and at the end of the day, his may not cool as good as he hopes.
I would use an aluminum radiator.
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jokgel
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2015
Posts: 47
Location: North-Germany
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
I use 32mm rubber hose with Amering . The first time I did a Citroen Berlingo radiator used . After mounting the winch I had to use a self-made .
Radiator from citroen berlingo you can rotate 90 degrees . And the two terminals are on one side . Passing between the frame |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jokgel
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2015
Posts: 47
Location: North-Germany
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
looks like this .
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jokgel
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2015
Posts: 47
Location: North-Germany
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 8:32 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
I still have a few old pictures found 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mack00
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2005
Posts: 173
Location: marietta georgia usa
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 9:53 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
http://webwrench.smugmug.com/Cars/VW-Bus-Conversion/i-2S2jS4q/0/X2/20141128_174154-X2.jpg
Something like Marshalls design is what I may try. I would tilt the leading edge down forming more of a ram air effect on top. Puller fans on the bottom. Seal of the sides & rear so a higher pressure is built on top. Don't like the idea of Marshalls design pulling the hot air up. But obviously I haven't finished and his design may work fine.
Skills I can appreciate you not preaching what works & doesn't work. I know you spent a lot of money and time figuring out a good system. Please don't go the way of Jake and let the haters drive you away. We/I appreciate your work. Can you suggest radiator style you found to work best. As in tank orientation/inlet/outlet crossflow/downflow?
This may be an option for coolant lines.
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.ph...tnum=24924
jokgel that is great setup. I imagine it works very well. Not sure I'm ready to tackle that much fab work. Thanks for sharing. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jokgel
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2015
Posts: 47
Location: North-Germany
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:20 am Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
| I know, a lot of work . I also believe that it is a good thing to put the radiator on the back of a roof Grind . |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thebusandus
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2014
Posts: 412
Location: Alaska
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru conversion cooling/radiator suggestions/ideas. |
|
|
The reason I went with the Dodge Ram is because the local Napa had it in stock, it was dual core, and the inlet/outlet were reasonable. If I had more time during my build Skillz radiator would be the way to go, all aluminum and better inlet/outlet. Mines been through hell on this trip but there's still more risk. Also I would I stall the fans on top like skills did as well, my radiator as a scoop doesn't work as well and makes the radiator hang down more.
_________________
2.2 Suby powered - 75 Westy - Rita
Panamerican Highway - 2014-2017 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
