PaulStewart

I need to replace the radiator in my 87 924S. Even on cool days at the track last year the temp gauge was just under the red line after a few laps. (I ran the heater at full blast to help).

I have the lower temp thermostats already installed in both the water pump and radiator and the temperature during street use never goes above the 3rd mark.

Has anyone fitted a 951 radiator into a 924S? What year is best?

Anyone have a opinion about the copper radiator PP sells for $400?

leonc944

Nope, won't fit. Turbo radiator is taller and thicker than non turbo.

Legoland951

If your cooling system is working properly, it should not overheat. I have run my 84 944 for 4 hours at Willow Springs at 100+ degree temperature and had no problems at all (did not go over 3/4 at the hottest time).

PaulStewart

Water pump is fairly new, belts are tensioned correctly, I have the reduced temp thermostats, fans work perfect, so since the radiator is original, I figured I'd replace it.

Just trying to pick the one that cools the best....

mavfan

actually my 88 924s on normal warmish weather always seems to go to the red if i'm sitting at a light for a while, always done that, so i flushed the radiator, ran water, cleaned it with some stuff, added the orange coolant at a 40/60 mix as sudgested by 924board.org guys and its a little better, but still does it... and i flushed it GOOD, and many times before refilling it with the mix. but changing the thermostat to a lower one just makes the fan kick in earlier right? that doesn't solve the problem. and its weird because my 944 never overheats at all, and is always around mid range temp. why so different?

Lemming

I agree, I put a lot of miles on my 924S at the track and never really had an overheating problem (and I live and drive in the hot and humid South). In fact, when I swapped the 968 engine into the car I kept the 924S radiator and it works just fine.

Could it be that your radiator is clogged and needs to be flushed?

PaulStewart

The car never overheats, or shows any signs that it is going to, other than the temp gauge is almost touching the red after few laps at 100+.

If you guys were buying a new radiator, what would you buy? I think I'll replace the temp sender too...

PaulStewart

Mavfan, later 944's have a different fan thermostat that has 3 states: fans off, fans low speed, fans high speed. This allows better control of the radiator temp.

It's best to always match the engine thermostat temp and the fan thermostat temp when changing them.

mavfan

too bad they couldn't have used late 944 parts instead of early on the 924S's. And thanks for the advice, will do.

Lemming

The temp shouldn't be going that high. Mine stays right in the middle, even on really hot days.

PaulStewart

Did you install the 3 pole 968 fan thermostat?

Mighty Shilling

Paul, next time you're out there, try slapping the top of the dash right above the gauge... I tried that, and it generally bumps it back down to the center.. I'm gonna disect my dash here soon and clean the contacts, make sure they're seating properly, etc. etc.

tod84944

Actually you can put a turbo rad in a early car or 924S. The turbo rad is approx 1" taller. Take out your bottom rad support. Take it to a machine shop, and have them make another one just like, but have them put sides on that are the same height, as the difference between the N/A rad and the turbo rad. You can then put it in, and bolt it up just like you had the regular rad in there. I have done this on a 83 track car, and I have done this on my nephews 84. You can then bolt up the 951 fan shroud and fans. If you don't have a machine shop that you can use, you can get some allum. parts at home depot, and put together a bracket at home that will work. The turbo rad will make a big difference in how it cools.

tod84944

Woops, I forgot to add. On the 924S, the sides supports on the car, has some tabs that on the bottom, you have to turn them down, and drill some new holes to bolt the new support on the bottom.

PaulStewart

Thanks! Do you have a 951 setup for sale?