Hi all
Just looking for some opinions/advice. I am currently totally rebuilding my LC90 1KZTE and am thinking of changing the rad but not sure whether it's worth it or which way to go.
After doing all the work I don't want to have overheating issues and cracked heads/blocks etc. The block in the vehicle I bought from ebay with "some coolant" loss ended up having a 7" crack in the block behind the oil cooler.
The rad it came with was just a cheap aftermarket rad with a single core, albeit a large(ish) core and plastic tanks (Milners I think). I doubt it would even cool a lawnmower as the core is only 27mm thick and don't really want to put it back in. It's brand new though as the "chap" I bought the LC from had changed it trying to sort his cooling issues.
I went to an engineer shop today and they can build me a 3 core (57mm) copper/brass rad for about £280+VAT (£350ish inc VAT). I have also seen aluminium 3 core rads on ebay for about £165 + shipping but these come from Malaysia and not sure how well it would survive shipping from there or what the quality is like. The other option is a genuine Toyota rad which I am being quoted roughly £350 inc VAT.
Has anyone upgraded their rad and if so to what? Has anyone had a rad built and if so is the quote I have reasonable? The custom rad wouldn't come with the sloped top either side but just be a flat topped tank so worried this might have an impact on bonnet closing etc. Should I be wary of the cheaper Malaysian units or has anyone bought one and have an opinion on it? Is the genuine Toyota rad actually up to the job considering all the overheating issues so is it even worth me bothering to consider that as an option?
Are there any down sides to a rad upgrade and/or do I even need to do it?
Questions questions but I'd be grateful for any opinions/advice.
Thanks
Just looking for some opinions/advice. I am currently totally rebuilding my LC90 1KZTE and am thinking of changing the rad but not sure whether it's worth it or which way to go.
After doing all the work I don't want to have overheating issues and cracked heads/blocks etc. The block in the vehicle I bought from ebay with "some coolant" loss ended up having a 7" crack in the block behind the oil cooler.
The rad it came with was just a cheap aftermarket rad with a single core, albeit a large(ish) core and plastic tanks (Milners I think). I doubt it would even cool a lawnmower as the core is only 27mm thick and don't really want to put it back in. It's brand new though as the "chap" I bought the LC from had changed it trying to sort his cooling issues.
I went to an engineer shop today and they can build me a 3 core (57mm) copper/brass rad for about £280+VAT (£350ish inc VAT). I have also seen aluminium 3 core rads on ebay for about £165 + shipping but these come from Malaysia and not sure how well it would survive shipping from there or what the quality is like. The other option is a genuine Toyota rad which I am being quoted roughly £350 inc VAT.
Has anyone upgraded their rad and if so to what? Has anyone had a rad built and if so is the quote I have reasonable? The custom rad wouldn't come with the sloped top either side but just be a flat topped tank so worried this might have an impact on bonnet closing etc. Should I be wary of the cheaper Malaysian units or has anyone bought one and have an opinion on it? Is the genuine Toyota rad actually up to the job considering all the overheating issues so is it even worth me bothering to consider that as an option?
Are there any down sides to a rad upgrade and/or do I even need to do it?
Questions questions but I'd be grateful for any opinions/advice.
Thanks