Radiator Guy In Texas; Upgraded unit???

[junglejustice]

Any ideas? - there was a guy working on a new "upgraded" Milano radiator in Texas that I heard of, but I lost the number...

Mine may need replacement and I am looking for something better, for less??? Maybe even two of 'em...

Any ideas?

[75evo]

Just order a 75 Turbo Diesel radiator from europe. Try okparts.net or some other alfa store.

If not I have a good used radiator for sale $50.

[nizam]

Dude ... "something better ... for less" ??

Sorry man, a custom radiator will most likely cost the same, if not more, than a stock radiator.

However, 75EVO is right, okparts.net will get you a 75 Turbo radiator for about the price of a Verde radiator except that it's bigger, and fits in your car with no modifications. You'll need longer radiator hoses, though (okparts.net can get you that, too).

[junglejustice]

....tell me that "poly" bushings isn't something better, for less or that an Ansa or a Stebro exhaust isn't something better than OEM, for less...

Debatable? Yes. At the same time, I don't think that it is unrealistic for one to expect "something better" (when comparing 15-16-17 year-old OEM parts) with current technology.

I also don't think that it is unrealistic for one to expect it for less when we're talking about obtaining said OEM parts from Ferrari of Seattle or Ferrari of-wherever for that matter... I am routinely able to obtain "better" quality parts (even if it is "just" more current technology in general) than OEM parts, for less.

So again, the questions are:
a) Does anybody know the name and number of the guy in Houston working on an aftermarket Milano radiator? (as well as for Spiders, GTV and GTV6s BTW...)
b) Does anybody have any other aftermarket options?
If the answers are "NO" then so be it.

The 75 Turbo option sound like a good idea; Thanks for the suggestions.

[nizam]

Quote:

obtaining said OEM parts from Ferrari of Seattle or Ferrari of-wherever for that matter

[Hit an Apex]

This guy is in Texas somewhere...

http://www.oldebottles.com/italiancars.htm

Greg Gordon i think.

[JoeCab]

I recently drove a Verde with a custom aluminum radiator. The owner spent some decent $$, had to fabricate brackets and a shroud, and didn't feel he got anything over the stock set-up. His goal for the project was to be able to run the A/C in traffic and not overheat, but the new radiator didn't leave enough room for his A/C components.

It looked really nice though!

A new, stock Verde radiator, with a working thermostat and fan actually cools pretty well.

Joe

[Hit an Apex]

alfa heaven also sells one, for 500 bucks.

[mkeith]

It's a friend of mine who's developing this radiator, but it was me who brought it up. Can't remember exactly why, but it had something to do with a thread I was replying to. However, I mentioned this in my original reply, & I'll mention it here again to remove all doubt: This radiator will cost more...ALOT more than an OEM unit. Final pricing has not yet been set, but expect something in the $800 range including a custom fan for the application.

The goal is for this to be a drop-in unit. It will be made of aluminum. It will be much larger than stock, & it will have a fan that moves a lot more air than stock. Also, the fan is much shallower than stock so that it will fit. A hot rod shop is building it.

Admitedly, this item will have a very limited market. There are only 2 reasons one might be interested in a radiator like this. 1- You have a highly modified racing engine which is producing too much heat for the stock radiator to cope with. 2- Like me, your Milano is your daily driver, you live in a VERY hot climate, & you have to drive in 95+ degree heat, 100% humidity (no exageration) in bumper-to-bumper traffic with the A/C going full blast on a regular basis. In such conditions, I figure I have 4 options: sweat; replace head gaskets every summer; get another car; spend $800 on this radiator. This past summer, I took option 1, but I hope the new radiator is ready for this summer. Option 2 is disconcerting, option 3 isn't an option; so it looks like option 4 for me. The 3rd production model of these radiators is mine.

Currently, my cooling system is as good as it can be. I have a brand new Verde radiator, all new hoses, new thermostat, new low-temp fan switch, fresh coolant 50/50 w/distilled water, Redline Water Wetter, & a new pressure cap. The only things I haven't replaced are the reserve tank & the heater core. It does good enough about 80% of the time, but it still can't cope with some of the extreme conditions we get here.

As for the radiator itself, my friend has the prototype in his car at the moment. He had a lot of problems getting the correct fan; kept getting a pusher instead of a puller. Also he's having the fan switch relocated so that it doesn't interfear with the cross-member, & he's having some other changes made because of interfearance with the battery tray. If performance & fitament goals are met, it maybe marketed through an Alfa parts vendor, but it's too early to say for sure at this point. At the moment, my friend is occupied with other matters; so this radiator project has been on the back burner. As there are further developments, I'll post updates to this forum.

As to the side discussion regarding getting updated parts that are better than OEM for less $$$, it can happen, but it takes a bit of resourcefulness. For instance, I had an industrial hydraulic shop make all new power steering hoses for me (reusing original hard lines & banjo fittings) for $40. Obviously very cheap, & the material is far superior to OEM. They'd make a concours judge recoil in horror, but for day-to-day use, you can't beat 'em. Too bad my rack it leaking. On the flip side, an upgrade, even if it costs more, can be worthwhile if it adds usefullness or longevity to the car.

[junglejustice]

Thanks for responding; yeah I think it was the industrial hose conversation that you and I were having and we split off into the radiator conversation.

It stuck with me, but I lost your number.

Cheers,
JvR