Idea for cooling system - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wildfire · 02-14-2005, 09:35 AM

I have a little idea I've been mulling over so I think I'll throw out here.

I've been wondering, is the radiator on a V6 camry better than a radiator in an I4? Started thinking about this after reading an article in one of my step dad's car magazines where I guy stuffed the radiator from a V8 into (I'm not sure about this) a Nissan Sentra SE-R. It got me thinking, what if I could get V6 cooling power into my 4cyl?

What I'm wondering is would the benefits be worth the time and money that would have to go into this? What would I need to swap the radiators if it's possible?

96CamrySport · 02-14-2005, 02:01 PM

I don't think the I4 radiator is a weak point. After my first autocross (one minute at WOT, 4000rpm-redline), the temp gauge raised only marginally. Don't know if my TRD 1.7 bar rad cap made a difference, but I seriously doubt it. I think it only got up to 205 degrees or so? it's really not much, and it only spiked after I rolled off course. Redline Water Wetter would be a much cheaper solution. However, the v6 rad should fit no prob, most I can imagine you need would be the radiator supports and universal radiator piping or something made to work. good luck.

jhbhatia · 02-14-2005, 02:04 PM

your i4 rad supports should mate well with a v6 radiator. You'll have much improved cooling by just changing your thermostat to a low temp one, i think that would be cheaper and less messing with rad hoses/and new radiator! What does ours open at 205, i've seen 180 before...

Toysrme · 02-14-2005, 02:29 PM

Haynes books says thermostat should start opening @ 190F and be fully open by 212F.

I could see swapping to a larger radiator if you had FI and raced the car, but I don't see any reason you would need more capacity, nor stand anything to gain by doing so.

wildfire · 02-14-2005, 07:13 PM

I was just curious about it. Really, I don't think I'd ever race my camry except for the occasional run at a drag strip. Even then I'll more than likely have something to help the cooling, like some of the things that have been suggested. Thanks for the info though, and I got some ideas for some things to do later too