I'm currently gathering parts for building up my 1380 engine to go into my pickup and currently I'm looking at radiators. Rough spec of the engine will be 1380cc with modified head, SW10 cam, twin HS4's, etc. so hopefully somewhere around the 100-110 bhp mark. Anyone had experience of the following various offerings from Minispares?
2-core super cool: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... A4443.aspx?
Alloy: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... A5000.aspx (I don't particularly like the look of this one with the fabricated header tank)
3-core race/road: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... P1106.aspx?
Or this original shape alloy one which seems to be too cheap: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... P1110.aspx?
JR
Radiator recommendation
- Minigman
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Re: Radiator recommendation
I’m running the 2 core fromjayare wrote:I'm currently gathering parts for building up my 1380 engine to go into my pickup and currently I'm looking at radiators. Rough spec of the engine will be 1380cc with modified head, SW10 cam, twin HS4's, etc. so hopefully somewhere around the 100-110 bhp mark. Anyone had experience of the following various offerings from Minispares?
2-core super cool: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... A4443.aspx?
Alloy: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... A5000.aspx (I don't particularly like the look of this one with the fabricated header tank)
3-core race/road: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... P1106.aspx?
Or this original shape alloy one which seems to be too cheap: http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... P1110.aspx?
JR
Minispares in my 1330. Never gets hot, even in traffic.
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- Yes, I used a machine gun

- Spider
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Re: Radiator recommendation
I've had best success from the original Leyland 4 Core (Tube) Radiators. Mini spares offer a copy, but it's design is not as good and out of the 1/2 dozen that I've bought, they all leaked from the core (not the soldered joints).
I know Aluminum are popular, but they are not as efficient at cooling as Copper is.
The best fan to use is the 6 Blade type.
I know Aluminum are popular, but they are not as efficient at cooling as Copper is.
The best fan to use is the 6 Blade type.
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Re: Radiator recommendation
Use minispares 2 core in my rally car, plastic fan and thermostat fitted, absolutely no issues except dodgy new thermostats.
There's a guy, David Ainsley I think, selling Japanese parts I might get a couple of thermostats off him at some point.
There's a guy, David Ainsley I think, selling Japanese parts I might get a couple of thermostats off him at some point.
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Re: Radiator recommendation
Before posting the question, my thoughts were between the 2-core and 3-core - I didn't think I could live with the look of the top tank of the aluminium one and thought the cheap one was just too cheap!
I was picking up some parts yesterday for me and kit of bits so had a look at the 2 & 3 core rads and asked for some advice from the guys at Minispares whilst there. They also recommended the 2-core which minigman and wantafaster1 have used. I also had one of these in one of my previous Minis and never had a problem with it.
So 2-core it is
JR
I was picking up some parts yesterday for me and kit of bits so had a look at the 2 & 3 core rads and asked for some advice from the guys at Minispares whilst there. They also recommended the 2-core which minigman and wantafaster1 have used. I also had one of these in one of my previous Minis and never had a problem with it.
So 2-core it is

JR
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Re: Radiator recommendation
Been using the Minispares 2 care rad for about 25 years. Never had an issue on anything. from 850 to 130 bhp race engine.
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Re: Radiator recommendation
oddly i have a minispares 2 core on my 1293...
however in traffic the gauge does start to climb, i was looking at putting an electric fan on the inner wing for such occasions, if i wasn't keen on the 'original look' i would look at getting a radtec.
however in traffic the gauge does start to climb, i was looking at putting an electric fan on the inner wing for such occasions, if i wasn't keen on the 'original look' i would look at getting a radtec.
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Re: Radiator recommendation
I run a 2 core from Minispares with an 11 blade plastic fan in my race Hornet, as Nick Swift uses in his cars with no issues at all. The previous ali one clogged up and was binned.