Has anyone ever done a V8 conversion using side mount radiators? Seems that most/all take over the front trunk for the radiator. So was wondering if anyone ever did one with side mount radiators (in the eng compartment with cooling scoops on the sides behind the doors) and kept the front trunk intact?

tom...

The plumbing would be a nightmare... I have seen turbo intercoolers mounted in the IMSA style flares just behind the doors. I have seen a inline 4cyl turbo use a radiator in the engine compartment sideways (like a early Audi 5000)

Honestly, there isnt much room in front of the tire for a radiator.



B

Where in Texas Tom ?

B

I had thought about that myself, but the front mounted radiator is used to offset the weight of the V8 in the rear. It is to balance out the weight distribution somewhat. Try it if you like, let me know how it handles.

Round Rock, right north of Austin.

Ah yes.. Home of Dell. I know it well.


B

Yep, I'm about three miles from Michael Dell's office

That will probably be downsized here soon since he is now more of a broker than a manufacturer. He even moved his sales to the middle east. So if you need to buy one or get service on one, you talk to someone in the middle east. I stopped buying Dells and I no longer recommend them to my clients.

That idea was attempted in the early eighties by Jaidecar (defunct) using two rabbit radiators in the sides of engine compartment. I even have an old typed instruction sheet vaguely describing it. They decided on traditional front trunk location. Most consider the front location better for balanced weight. The only other alternative location is Toy-jet.com's patented rear radiator system under a turbo whaletail for 911's.
Felix

I really like the toy-jet idea... Wonder how it would look on a 914...

C.

It would be a L88 hood scoop..................

Hmmm... just a thought, so feel free to shoot holes in it. How about using a 914-6 style engine cover and mount the radiator (with flex lines) to the engine cover with an electric fan to force air through. (be gentle, I'm a newbie...) I actually thought of that for a Subie conversion, but I don't know why it couldn't be done for a V8 also... but weight distribution might be an issue. Can we say "big freakin' battery WAY up front?

Brad

That idea may be possible but I'd think it would be a complex task to pull off. It would require a very custom radiator and obviously made out of aluminum to reduce weight. You would have none of the advantages of forced air cooling as you do with a front-mounted radiator. Your fans will have to do all the work and the air will have to move up to take advantage of convection. Then another problem is the radiator and fan shroud need to be slim enough to clearance the carburetor/air cleaner. But maybe someone like you is sharp enough to solve all the problems and show that it can be done.

Brad,
When I first got my car running in the early 80's, a guy waived me over and claimed to have built and sold his 914 V8 with a radiator mounted under the engine lid. He said it worked great. It seems everything has been done at least once!
Felix

Wish I had taken a picture of the 'sportsman' style truck at Willow Saturday. Giant radiator in bed of truck. Big honkin V8 in front so probably an attempt to balance. It was faster than anything else out there. But rad was mounted really low. That much weight up high would be a killer.