new to the forum, lots of questions

arthur8804 · Wannabe Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4

Hello,

I'm settled on doing a subi conversion in my beach buggy. I have lots of questions, so I want to apoligize in advance. My main concern about the conversion is the radiator. I have very little room in the buggy for water cooling but wanted to bounce some questions off of you guys.

I was thinking of putting it here

The problem here is that I am not sure of the air flow. It would be the easiest location and also easiest for plumbing.

Second option is my favorite

I wanted to put into the side pods and put a vent kind of like ones found on a mustang or maybe the hood vent on a Cooper Mini. The plumbing should be pretty easy, but I would need a small radiator (what size is the smallest that I can go)

Third option is this one

I like this option. I would cut away the areas in the scoop and have to move the gas tank to the back (this would be good for the modifications needed to the tank). I could accomidate a bigger radiator here but am not sure if the holes that I would create in the scoop would provide a big enough surface for cooling and air flow. The downside obviously is plumbing.

Your thoughts and expertise will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Bigbadbugga · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:29 pm Post subject:

I like your second option.

a pair of long thin rads in the pods with some scoops would look good and be functional.
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Located near Liverpool.

Building a full custom 1972 Beetle with an EJ25 (n/a sohc),Porsche 944 IRS conversion and Rjes bellhousing.

arthur8804 · Wannabe Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4

I agree. The second option was my first thought and still my favorite. Any insight on what size radiators would be sufficient? I asume that if I went with two small woul not be an issue. Also taking into consideration I'm in California where the weather us always fair. I've been looking for scoops that I can use for this option and I am wondering what kind of opening would be sufficient. Many that I have found are a "slit" type. 10 inches long and maybe 2 inches wide max. Would this work?

Bigbadbugga · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:17 pm Post subject:

Providing the slits are open enough to allow enough airflow to cool the rads you should be ok.

Make sure you get a good seal between the pods and the outside of the radiators, that way the fan will pull the air through the rad without leakages.

There is a thread on here somewhere with different radiator sizes, have a look through and find something that will fit into the space you have.

Alternatively, try local scrapyards/vehicle breakers for suitable rads.

Here's the thread, something like the Toledo rads might fit your needs, not sure if that model is available over there though....

http://www.vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=768
_________________
Located near Liverpool.

Building a full custom 1972 Beetle with an EJ25 (n/a sohc),Porsche 944 IRS conversion and Rjes bellhousing.

ElusiveStranger · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:40 pm Post subject:

Have a look on Aussieveedubbers.com, there's a fair few buggies on there & they're a good crowd

Pete Wood, Buggy Brad & Wes are a few posters to look for
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