Hi,

I need a radiator for my indyblade, managed to get hold of a radiator of my friends v-tec civic, this is small enough and will go under the nose cone, but it doesn't have a temp sensor built into it, i understand this is needed as there isnt one in the blade engine.

What are my options?

I was going to buy a micra rad, does this have the sensor built in?

Cheers Mike

Yes it does, has the right size hose stubs too. MK sell them.

I think MK's radiator is a modified escort rad, that was my back up from a micra rad!

cheers mike

Do you mean a temperature sender, or a fan switch?

The blade has a temp sender in the top of the head (above the thermostat housing) for giving the clocks a temperature reading, but I dont think the ECU can control the fan so you do need a means of switching that on automatically, which is most commonly done with a fan switch in the rad itself, or in the top hose.

quote:

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Originally posted by mike smith1
I think MK's radiator is a modified escort rad, that was my back up from a micra rad!

cheers mike

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i need a thermo switch to switch on the fan

I used a Civic radiator as well. My website should be up in a few minutes, so you can see what I did. With this setup, it is important to note a couple things.

First, like Chris says, you'll need a fan switch inline with a hose. On mine, I had a bung welded to an ali tube that comes off the thermostat. I then tapped this for a fan switch.

Also, with the Civic rad, you cannot use the usual plumbing diagrams out there. The reason is, you need an expansion type tank, not a header tank. There is a single small bleed nipple off the top of the rad. This goes directly to the expansion tank. Everything else is closed up.

I've ran my engine for 15-20 minutes once and watched the fan come on and off a few times. It works well. I also really like the Civic radiator. Like you said, it is small, so I build an air dam the forces air through the rad. Oh, and the rad will have to be offset to the passenger side a bit for lower hose clearence. The hose OD on the rad is very similar to the 'blade hose OD, so no need to reducers, etc.

--HTH, Chris

Mine has a switch on the dash ( manually operated ) but can honestly say in the 2 years i have been running it i have only needed to turn it on once in a long, long, long line of traffic.

[Edited on 14/12/05 by Brooky]

Why not just go for the usual Polo / Golf rad? They are cheap (~£40 new), well proven in many kit car applications, and they have a threaded boss for a thermostatic switch.

you could just put one of those capillary type jobbies in it. That'd probably be the simpelist and cheapest....Oli.

for turning the fan on?

Many thanks for all ther replies!!

Chris (gamlin) any ideas were i can get a micra rad for £40 new as i was quoted £100 + when i rang round local motor factors, and i can get stuff at trade!

All help much appreciated

Cheers Mike

It will be £40 cos its not a Micra rad, its a Polo / Golf rad

Have a look at this thread here for some details, Andy at AB is really helpful and he seems to be the cheapest Ive seen.

[Edited on 14/12/05 by ChrisGamlin]

quote:

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Originally posted by ChrisGamlin
Why not just go for the usual Polo / Golf rad? They are cheap (~£40 new), well proven in many kit car applications, and they have a threaded boss for a thermostatic switch.

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http://www.nfauto.co.uk/temp_sender_housing.htm

Would this allow me to use the rad i have, as long as i buy the correct temperature sesor?

What is the correct size water hose for the blade and the correct temp sensor?

if link doesn't work can some one put the link in for me as i dont know how to do it!


Cheers Mike

That appears to be for a temperature sender for a gauge, rather than a fan switch sender which are usually a lot bigger than M10.
Even so, putting something like that in adds weight and complication (two extra hoses to leak etc) so I would personally look at replacing the rad you have with something that does everything you need it to, either a second hand Micra one like Hellfire mentions, or one of the Golf rads.

BTW the main hoses on the blade a 25mm, I believe thats one advantage of the Micra in that its also 25mm whereas the Golf rad is 32mm so you need step-up hoses to fit it - these are readily available though so its not a big problem to overcome.

Cheers Chris will look around

Thanks Mike

Hi Mike:

Did you manage to have a look at my website? It has lots of 1200x600 pictures of what you're asking. If needed, I can email the pics to you, but I'll have cut them down first. It seems easier to look at the website. At least there, you get well-written, witty editorials

--Chris

[Edited on 15/12/05 by chrisf]

[Edited on 15/12/05 by chrisf]

I've looked and they are helpful mate, thanks, what fan switch did you use??

I think thats the way i'm going now i have seen your pics, doesn't look to complicated!

Cheers Mike

Any ideas what temp the sensor needs to turn the fan on, on the blade engine?

Cheers Mike

I don't remember what switch I ended up using. Shortie (on this board) told me roughly the fan switch on/off times and I flipped through catalogs at the auto parts store until I found the one I needed. Maybe he'll pipe up with a suggestion.

Note that in my pics, I originally used a header tank from a VW Jetta/Bora. I later switched to the Japanese-style expansion tank. There is a big difference, so make sure you get the right tank and use the right plumbing diagram.

I have to agree with ChrisG, though. If you don't already have the Civic rad, I'd use the VW rad the other's use. These were not available to me in the US, so I used the Civic bit.

--HTH, Chris