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Thread: Ron Davis Radiator Update

  1. 04-04-2005, 08:26 PM #1
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    Ron Davis Radiator Update

    Finally finished the job today. I think it came out very well done, the mounts seem to be very beefy and strong. I used plastic stock and alen bolts to do the job rather than welding. Notice the mount on top of the radiator, I had to Jesse James that bitch to match the contour but it came out better than I was hoping it would. I also used 2 of these mounts on the bottom attached to the exsisting mounts, just had to bend them flat.

    The only issue I had was that this radiator would not sit flush agaisnt the sheet metal. In turn all the air coming from the fan was being blown out of the sides and top where the gaps were. A quick trip to Home Depot and $1.39 later we solved this problem with some copper pipe insulation. No air escapes the fins. If you have a radiator mounted fan than this will not be an issue for you. If your fan resides where the aux fan was like mine than this is the way to fix the problem. I like mine this way since the fins dont have to support the weight of my 16" Hayden electric fan.
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  2. 04-04-2005, 08:27 PM #2
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    Another one with the insulation
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  3. 04-04-2005, 08:28 PM #3
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    From the front showing the fan
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  4. 04-04-2005, 08:44 PM #4
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    Very nice CJ. I should have ordered one for the 2002. Oh well. I'll have to get in on the next one...
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  5. 04-04-2005, 09:18 PM #5
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    Pretty slick CJ. Nice install. Kudos for keeping it clean. I have a tendency to reach for the welder more often than not. I bet drilling that hole in the front clip was a little nerve racking. Can't wait to see the car in two weeks.

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  6. 04-04-2005, 11:58 PM #6
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    Looking magnificent! That 16" looks huge! I think im only running a 14 puller style
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  7. 04-05-2005, 12:51 AM #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by MattE21
    That 16" looks huge
    You know, girls always tell me that
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  8. 04-05-2005, 02:16 AM #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheNeek
    Pretty slick CJ. Nice install. Kudos for keeping it clean. I have a tendency to reach for the welder more often than not. I bet drilling that hole in the front clip was a little nerve racking. Can't wait to see the car in two weeks.
    Thanks guys.

    Nic you have no idea, I was like there has to be another way around this rather than drilling a hole in her. Believe it or not this is the FIRST time i have scared her since the rebuild almost 4 years ago!
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  9. 04-05-2005, 02:30 AM #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by blitzed310
    Thanks guys.

    Nic you have no idea, I was like there has to be another way around this rather than drilling a hole in her. Believe it or not this is the FIRST time i have scared her since the rebuild almost 4 years ago!
    How about folding that fine polished piece of steel or aluminum over the front clip. That little piece of sheet metal that sticks up (the one you bolted it to). With a coating on it to keep it from rubbing the paint. Then you could have just bolted it to that plastic block to keep it in place. Could have probably made it a tight fit as well, if you had some sort of rubber stand offs to support the radiator against the front clip.

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  10. 04-05-2005, 11:05 AM #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheNeek
    How about folding that fine polished piece of steel or aluminum over the front clip. That little piece of sheet metal that sticks up (the one you bolted it to). With a coating on it to keep it from rubbing the paint. Then you could have just bolted it to that plastic block to keep it in place. Could have probably made it a tight fit as well, if you had some sort of rubber stand offs to support the radiator against the front clip.
    Smooth move Nic you tell him this after he has drilled the holes.

    Nice install CJ. It was so inspirational that I printed/filled out the dimension sheet on Ron's site and sent off the measurements for the 323i.
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  11. 04-05-2005, 04:43 PM #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by RDAvena
    Smooth move Nic you tell him this after he has drilled the holes.

    Nice install CJ. It was so inspirational that I printed/filled out the dimension sheet on Ron's site and sent off the measurements for the 323i.
    My consultant fee is zero dollars Ray. All you have to do is call or IM me before you install.

    TheNeek envisions Joe talking to Ray in the near future about buying a Ron Davis radiator as well.

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  12. 04-05-2005, 05:09 PM #12
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    Cj, did u get a chance to measure the rad.? I still need to see if it will fit, but i dont think it will work out work me

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  13. 04-05-2005, 11:22 PM #13
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    Damn that thing looks good. Nicely done CJ.
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  14. 10-19-2011, 12:15 PM #14
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    Thread bump for relevant discussion.
    "The most important thing is balance." - KT
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  15. 10-19-2011, 12:24 PM #15
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    Ron Davis <3 They made a killer formula SAE radiator for me.
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  16. 07-09-2015, 07:41 PM #16
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    I will be doing this soon, great write up CJ.
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