20 valve 4age cooling

[DeftAnesthetik]

currently working on cooling system for this conversion, using sam q's fwd->rwd write-up as a guideline with a few changes - mostly keeping alternator in factory location. just had a quick question as far as the radiator goes. i am changing out a 3A and am wondering if the radiator will be sufficient, i assume that it is the same rad as a 4a-c. it does have the thermo switch in the radiator itself to acutate the fan (electric). if it will be enough to cool does anyone know if i should switch over to the thermo switch from the 20v (is it a different heat range?) i have changed the themostat in the water pump over to the 20valve part (Just in case). i will be getting the plate and other misc things i needed welded back from the machinist today and will post pics and description of what i did differently than sam. any input here would be great
thanks in advance

[KARNAGE]

It couldn't hurt changing it over depends on what you wnat to do further down the track with the engine, turbo etc. if so upgrade radiator is almost necessity

[Sam_Q]

good to hear someone else is finding my guide usefull, let us know when your finished and I might revise that article.

With the radiator I guess the question is this: even if the 3A radiator is enough why not upgrade it if it is so cheap to do so? Go to the right place and a Hyundai excel one is worth $60 or so and doesnt take all that much to install. If you have so far done part of the 20v conversion then you have more than enough skills to do it. Look into my worklog for more info.

Also I recommend using a 4ac thermostat, the 20V item would be made for the Japanese climate and from what I hear arn't appropriate for us here. Using the automatic switch is ok though.

[spectral]

Be careful with the thermostat. The 4AFE or 4AC thermostats are a different size than the 20V units.

Try your 3A radiator. If it works, thats great... if it starts to overheat then upgrade. Its worthwhile to trial and error before spending.

The stock thermoswitch is fine to control an aftermarket 12V fan. Remember though, that a lot of Toyota thermoswitchs earth when *not* hot, and break the connection when the temp is reached, so you'll need to stick a relay in to convert that around the other way if using a normal 12v fan from Supercheap etc.

[Sam_Q]

4ac ones are the same, I am using one

[Sam_Q]

well the same physical size anyway, more appropriate heat range

[spectral]

Hmm.. well when I switched to an AE92 remote thermostat housing, my brand new blacktop 20V thermostat wouldn't fit in the AE92 housing.

I had a new 3SGTE one spare that I used in the AE92 housing, that fitted.

Oh well, its not a huge issue, its only $30 if it doesn't fit, and if its does, cool

[Sam_Q]

thats strange, maybe the ae92 is a one off? I also have seen an ae82 one and it was the same

[limbo]

i used an oil cooler to keep the temps of the 20v down on mine. Just a sandwich plate and the stock cooler from an ae93.

Otherwise you could see a radiator specialist and get a larger core one modified to fit the conversion.

[psychofox]

spectral is correct, the 20V thermostats are different to the AE86/82/92 ones. There is no difference in the flow or cooling capacity of the 20V vs any other thermo, they are all 82deg C from factory anyway. Jap environment gets just as hot in summer as it does here, but in winter it get a fair bit cooler....

[Sam_Q]

well it looks like it points to me be wrong here, I better check my info

[DeftAnesthetik]

20v one fitted perfectly on 3a housing, just had to remove the rubber seal that was on it. just finished uploading pics on how this is comming along, will update later as it is time for me to go to work.

edit
got around to this its now on my ride thread here

[DeftAnesthetik]

Try your 3A radiator. If it works, thats great... if it starts to overheat then upgrade. Its worthwhile to trial and error before spending.

yeah im there, all of this has been "what do i have" and "what is cheap/easy to replace" radiator: drain, toss, upgrade (from wrecker of course)

It couldn't hurt changing it over depends on what you wnat to do further down the track with the engine, turbo etc. if so upgrade radiator is almost necessity

just a daily and something to show "muscle(car) heads" what can be had from a fourbanger