MA61 compatibility issues with S13 Radiator

[Mick561]

Having problems closing my bonnet after installing an aluminium s13 radiator for my MA61. It's hight is above normal.

Anyone have this issue before. I remember other owners of MA61's installing this radiator and yet didn't seem to have this problem.

Help will be appreciated

[RA35GT]

How have you mounted it?

[Mick561]

I'm not really good at describing technical stuff. I will snap some photos!

[rob]

post some pics, i have one and its shoddily mounted on the stock ma61 bottom rad mounts and still clears

[mullett]

yeah, I've mounted two of them. The way I did it was to remove the lower mounts and make new ones from angle iron to suit the standard nissan rubber mounts. The bottom edge of the radiator needs to almost sit on the two castor rod brackets down the bottom, mine clears that by~10mm. Should be heaps of room if you do it like that!

[Mick561]

Here are the pics... I wasn't able to go underneath the car cause it's a bit difficult for me since I have a disability but if those pics arn't enough, I will go under and take proper ones.
The s13 radiator was installed on top of the original MA61 mounts without any modifications of any kind. They were installed by Silverwater Automotive Services in sydney.
I recently went back to SAS and notified them of the situation. They told me that since I supplied the radiator it isn't there problem. So they will no longer look at it.
The engineering consultant has advised me to fix the problem along with many other issues that also need to be rectified, otherwise he wont pass it for an engineering certificate.
As you can see in the pics, it's obvious that the radiator is to high preventing the bonnet to close. Even if you apply pressure, the bonnet just doesn't shut. The radiator is also having
heating problems, but I guess that's another topic altogether.

I'm suprised Rob's s13 radiator clears despite it being on the original mounts. Could it be that a small part of the old radiator was left that shouldn't be there?
Mullet's solution sounds pretty good. I don't mind removing the radiator out again but making custom mounts out of a Nissan is just to technical for me.
I would need someone in sydney that can do it for me otherwise, it's gonna be difficult.IMG_2589.JPGIMG_2591.JPGIMG_2592.JPGIMG_2594.JPGIMG_2596.JPG

[Mick561]

IMG_2597.JPGIMG_2598.JPGIMG_2599.JPGIMG_2600.JPGSome more pics...

[RA35GT]

That certainly looks like it's mounted really high!

Mulletts radiator.

[CELICASUPRA7M]

My radiator is a MZ20 item and just fits. Yours must be mounted in a strange (high) way unless the dimensions of the radiator are different to standard s13. You really need to remove it and see whats going on underneath it. I understand this may be difficult for you, maybe a mechanically minded friend could help out or take it to a more help full workshop?
That workshop should never have let the car leave if the bonnet didn't shut!

[Mick561]

Well, they did and just goes to show how incompetent they are in there work. The car has cost me a fortune and I don't have any funds left to throw at it any more. I have already paid the engineering consultant $750 and he has given me a deadline which is the 27th of May to complete the car and resolve all the other outstanding issues with it, which are many. He would probably ask for another $550 when everything is over. There is just no way I will be able to make it. I can't take it to any more workshops since they are not cheap. My brother might help me remove it and will take a look as to what is under there. I actually knew I was going to run into these issues, that's why from the begining, I wanted to buy a finished, converted MA61 with either a 1J or 2JZ engine already installed but couldn't find any. Actually, I did find a few on the Toymods forum but the owners refused to sell. I have always loved MA61's but for some odd reason, I seem to have bad luck with them all the time.

CELICASUPRA7M's radiator is pretty high as well. It's suprising that the bonnet actually shuts. Very close indeed mate.
Mullett's radiator is a perfect fit. You definately weren't kidding when you said you fit two of them already lol.

[CELICASUPRA7M]

me and a mate fitted a s13 ASI brand one with falcon fans ages ago, i just used a peice of aluminium angle 60x60x5 and bolted it where the standard one was. then hole sawed for the rubber mounts to sit down into it. They must have added to the stock mount instead of removing it i recon

[mullett]

yup...If a workshop can't handle that, i wouldn't let them change my oil!

On a side note...my UZ powered MA61 is for sale

I also have some pre-fabricated radiator mounts if you'd rather do that...

-RM

[ivandude]

Mullett what are these pre fabricated radiator mounts

What rads do they suit exactly and is it only ma61?

[rob]

woah that radiator is way high

here is mine, also my mate naten's is mounted the same way



only option is to make your own set of lower brackets i would say

[rob]

also

engineering consultant?

what the fuck have they been doing to already charge u $750?

most engineers will just come have a look when you are done and if they arent happy tell u to fix it, then once happy do your eng report and then charge you (a flat fee that you have previously negotiated)

also why is there a deadline?

give us a run down on this engineer, he might be ripping you off.