Another (easy) AE86 twin core radiator option

[parrot]

I have updated this with new shiny photo's and info after some recent interest.

Was trawling at pick and payless and came across a July 1988 VZV21 Camry auto V6 (2VZ-FE), with a twin core radiator for $55. Radiator inlet and outlet is on the same side as an AE86. Same basic design with plastic top and bottom tanks. You could look at it insitu and not even notice that it wasn't standard. Subsequently have noticed that the later V6 camry APPEARS to have the exact same radiator.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IM000438.jpg


Compared to a standard AE86 radiator, overall height from top of radiator cap to bottom of tank is identical, 470mm. Width of camry is 710mm whereas AE86 is 592mm. Thus there is about 59mm of radiator either side with out airflow. Now fitted, and it goes in nicely clearing the chassis rail on the drivers side and the battery tray on the passenger side Now that I have it actually sitting properly, the wiring loom still fits in its original location contrary to my original post.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IM000436.jpg

You need to relocate some lower locating brackets as the lugs are in a different position, although the lugs on the bottom of the camry rad are the same size as the AE86. I have taken the lower radiator mounting brackets from a ST162 and AE82 (drivers side bracket on these is a bolt on so easy to take off the donor) but make sure you get the rubbers too as these brackets have a bigger hole for the insulator to sit in. You do need to cut these brackets down to fit neatly to the AE86. You can still leave the AE86 brackets insitu as the camry lugs are a little inside so could refit the AE86 radiator if required. The top brackets do need to be relocated. Make sure you get the camry V6 jobbies as they have a D shaped moulding to suit the V6 rad, rather than a half moon shape found on everything else. I then extended these out by welding on a section of another bracket. Looking at this photo, the two inner bottom mounts are the new ones for the camry, the two outers are the original AE86 mounts.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IM000437.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IM000439.jpg

The inlets and outlets are placed about 30mm further over towards the drivers side once you centre the radiator. The standard bottom hose fits easily without modification. However the top hose would need to be altered essentially as the radiator outlet diameter on the top only is 34mm across compared to 31mm on the AE86. No big deal. I ended up using a top hose of a SA61 I think which was new and soft and fitted over the radiator easily. Just cut off the bit I needed. The camry radiator has a transmission cooler incorporated in the bottom tank as evidenced by two olived couplings which I have removed and plugged.

Of course this radiator has twin thermos fitted so simplifies that too. Have double checked it fits with the hood down as I have taken off a guard and could see through. I am going to try running it with just a single fan though, leaving the aircon fan off.

No smart comments re my (lack of) welding prowess thanks!

[CLG]

You may be lucky enough to find a new top tank withthe correct inlet sizing to suit the AE86 pipe - ask at a radiator shop, as you have thousands to shoose from. While the top tank is off, you can also have the radiator core rodded to guarantee that second hand radiator is absolutely free of blockages too!

[mrshin]

The pipe size won't be an issue, although I think I remember trying a diesel 20 series camry rad (it's thicker) in my sprinter and it didn't even come close to fitting... I may just be remembering badly though.

[parrot]

Edited above as now fitted. Will get some pics up soon.

[parrot]

Updated again, with photos.

[Negative Boost]

Top job mate. Good work with the photos too.

[parrot]

Sorry to dredge up an old post but have had a few queries on this lately and have updated the info and included some new shinier photos.

[Chrisso]

Many thanks to Parrot for this one. I did it a few weeks ago and it's running great. I can't weld/don't have a welder, so I didn't extend the top brackets but still got it on there.

Chris.