Limitations of the N/A radiator on a turbo engine?

[253.Asmo]

Curious as to how much you can get or what the problems could be running an N/A radiator with a turbo engine. I wouldn't think it would be a problem at all, at least not without serious engine power, but I might as well ask.

Does doing away with the expansion tank pose any real risk? What is it's exact purpose?

Matt.

[dzx]

the radiator is a different size and it's good to have the expansion tank because it has all the plumbing to the turbo and what not. I ran a n/a radiator for a couple months when the sidetank blew out of the turbo radiator.

[cj91legss]

Ive been running an n/a radiator for over a year now with no problems. I also have somewhat of a heavy foot too.

[DLC]

Remember that most of the parts are made for worst-case scenarios. If you were living in Arizona or New Mexico and the temps were 115 degrees and you run the A/C all day with 20lbs of boost on a VF39, well, you'd be SOL.

You should be fine with the NA radiator.

[253.Asmo]

Remember that most of the parts are made for worst-case scenarios. If you were living in Arizona or New Mexico and the temps were 115 degrees and you run the A/C all day with 20lbs of boost on a VF39, well, you'd be SOL.

You should be fine with the NA radiator.

This was pretty much my thinking, well put. Thanks all of you for the input : )

For simplicity's sake, I'm going to leave the expansion tank off altogether. Somewhere I read, I'm not sure if its valid or not, the expansion tank is why we don't need a turbo timer on our cars?? Sounds questionable. I'm curious..

matt

[Legacy777]

Matt,

What are you looking to do? Are you swapping in a turbo motor? I've been running the n/a motor without any problems, and have had no overheating issues.

The cooling system is very robust. You have some options. The 2.5 Legacy had the same dimensions for the n/a radiator but was 2-row vs. 1-row. That would give you some additional cooling capacity.

Other item you could do is put the turbo legacy cooling fan motors on. They are slightly higher wattage motors and would spin the fans faster moving a little more air. I don't know if this will make a big difference, but it's an option.

Regarding the coolant tank. It does serve a purpose due to its location & height to help cool the turbo after engine shut off with convective currents.

[93forestpearl]

I had to run an N?A radiator for a little while two years ago. I kept the coolant tank, and just removed the spring from the cap on the radiator, and ran a hose up to the coolant tank from the small nipple. It worked fine.


The factory turbo radiator has such a tight fin pitch that is collects a ton of crap, and looses effciency over time. Mine was so plugged you could barely see light through the damn thing.

[253.Asmo]

I am swapping my 91 SS guts into a 90L body. Rebuilt the engine , have a TD04 to go in, 06 intercooler, Just trying to finish up all the plumbing and hoses for the turbo and coolant and such.

I already have a new N/A radiator that I purchased and installed. I'm using the fans from my turbo radiator. I can find a good mounting point and use the expansion tank if it really is worth the effort, just hadn't wanted to if it wasn't terribly necessary.

opinions welcome

[253.Asmo]

Bump.

Should I plumb the expansion tank back into the system, or can I get away running without it for now?

Pros/cons/ suggestions? I'm not worried about the radiator being at all a problem.

Matt