Best cooling system upgrades
 

Got the begi system in and already encountering heat problems on track days. Need to upgrade the cooling system but haven't found a thread with suggestions on where to start. Radiator first? Reroute first? Any brands preferred? Begi, 949, flying miata, others? I've searched but not found a good post on this.

My personals are that I have a begi S-3 right now running mild boost. Like it street driven but probably run about 12 track days per year in theCalifornia desert. I plan on increasing the boost to the 10-12lbs range once I sort out other upgrades in cooling and drivetrain.

What year car and what engine?

For WIN status = TSE radiator, coolant reroute(must have) and proper ducting. These are also necessary for street cars that idle in traffic with the a/c blasting :cool:

Edit: Gotta bust your balls on this. Saying you searched and didn't find any threads on engine cooling is just ludicrous.

1992 1.6 w a/c and power steering. Rest of the drivetrain is stock.

Bust away, I searched and didn't find it.

You definitely want a coolant reroute (can be done for under 150 using quality parts) and a large aluminum radiator, especially if you plan to use the a/c in stop and go traffic. Then of course ducting, ducting, ducting.

The TSE rad is godly. I'd recommend that even more since you are doing track days with the car as well.

Anyone written a thread on how to do your own cooling reroute?

Thanks for the tip on the TSE radiator, it looks awesome.

there are many. Have a stroll around.

You should be able to put together a reroute for $25 (GM hose, various tidbits)+cost of Kia neck.

Reroutes are cheap and easy on 1.8s.

As long as you're not using the rear, passenger side water plug as a sensor bung, then it becomes a huge pain in the ass.

IMO, the #1 coolant mod is *perfect* ducting. If every bit of air that comes in through the nose of the car is FORCED to go through the radiator, 75% of your overheating problems are solved. Of course, the radiator is pretty much a must-have if you're doing anything competitive, and the reroute is highly recommended on even a stock setup - but if you have absolutely no ducting, you'll overheat in the summer while cruising on the freeway, regardless of fans/radiator/reroute/etc.

^+1.

Two easy areas:
1. Openings in front of radiator top support. There are lots of aftermarket kits available to cover these holes, or you can fabricate your own.
2. Bottom of radiator does not seal against drip pan. You can close this gap with some foam.

Thanks guys, great tips.

Definitely ducting first, followed by a reroute, followed at the same time by a radiator.

With your power levels I'd honestly say you're on the verge of needing the TSE radiator. It's hard to say since ducting, a reroute, and a 2" eBay radiator is a gigantic leap above the stock setup. Although if you go the eBay route to save $2xx, you might have to upgrade again anyways.

Since you're in a hotter climate than I, I'd probably suggest going TSE and not looking back.

can someone go into more depth on the reroute? what hoses and where to/from?

thanks

M-Tuned is legit bosss. But you can build your own for about half the price using Begi parts and the GM hose.

I drove uphill on an mountain in Zwitserland. When arrived I switched off the engine and it started to boil. This was on a 1.6, not even boosted. Everything quite stock. The stock cooling is ok for mild climate and moderate duty. But not for any bit more.
So: coolant reroute, better radiator and good ducting for my car.