Radiators

  1. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 279
    #1
    I'm looking to buy a new radiator over the next few days for a mk1 vts but after looking on euro car parts, it's listing a bigger rad than the one that's already fitted to the car, eBay is showing 2 separate sizes. This could be down to being a 99 plate which I've been told was close to the change over year and after looking a bit more I've found that the bigger rad was used from 2000/2001.

    If I was to fit the (bigger) listed one, will it just be a case of relocating the grommets the radiator sits in along with the retaining springs or will it be a case of drilling new holes for it to sit in place?
  2. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #2
    Not sure about the size difference,but two other places to try are gsf car parts and 106 car parts.
  3. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 279
    #3
    Ah, I always forget about gsf, I'll check them and 106 car parts out soon, I think the nearest gsf to me is Southampton but I could get family to pick it up if it's cheaper. Seen them on ebay around the £30 mark which is fine but rather get it somewhere over the counter so any problems it can go back just as easy. Apparently mine is supposed to be 520mm in length but it's 390mm which is a vtr spec so hoping that when I try fitting the recommended one, I won't have any problems with having to drill holes etc.
  4. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #4
    all vts gti had the long rad........mk1 vts gti has a the rad switch/thermostat fitted to the the long rad.. if yours has a short one fitted now its the wrong rad for the car.
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  5. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 279
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by blackie_2k5 View Post
    all vts gti had the long rad........mk1 vts gti has a the rad switch/thermostat fitted to the the long rad.. if yours has a short one fitted now its the wrong rad for the car.
    I'm definitely changing over to the bigger rad, made me think soon as I noticed the bigger one was listed on all sites so far. I've only used the car for short runs so far so not noticed any cooling problems but guessing previous owner probably wanted a cheap fix for a problem so dumped the smaller rad in place.
  6. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #6
    Another one to throw into the mix are nissens radiators.
  7. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 279
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Another one to throw into the mix are nissens radiators.
    I had seen someone selling one on here, although I'd rather go new on radiators seeing they can be easily damaged, what are the benefits of those as all the ones I've seen look the same as the standard rads.
  8. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #8
    Nissens are slimmer and lighter.
  9. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 279
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Nissens are slimmer and lighter.
    I'll take a look into them before ordering anything then. Not too fussed about going lighter as the car will be a daily soon as it's back on the road especially as my little shed is just about dead, also 90% of the time will have my son in the car so won't be used to its full potential. Slimmer is good though, no one complains with more efficient cooling