Neon Radiator dimensions

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:09 pm

So long story short, I was installing a external trans cooler, unplugged the atx lines from the radiator, trans fluid came out like it should, couple minutes later coolant comes pouring out of the same holes, not supposed to happen. SO trans is fine for right now since it is on its own cooler but the radiator is leaking something fierce and its not from the holes where the lines used to be because I plugged them up. It more looks like its leaking out from the middle of the core. Idk what could have caused this but it seems like I will need a new rad. I have read about problems about this in the atx neons but my trans has been running fine right before this and it still runs fine right now. So my question is do the manual trans neons have any cooling lines that go from the rad to the trans or is that just for atx? And if they don't will that rad be able to mount up the two fans that the atx's have, cuz I believe the mtx's only have one fan. Thanks in advance.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:44 pm

An MTX radiator will work if the shroud tabs are close enough to mate up to each other. You may need an MTX lower hose tho. Some of the radiators have the lower hose in a different position.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:52 pm

Ehh but that is not a guaranteed that it will work, If I do buy a new atx radiator, nothing should come out of the tranny cooler holes since it is not connected correct?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:08 pm

Correct. Unless the internal cooler fails, then coolant will leak out. You could crimp them after filling them with epoxy. (Crimping before it sets) I can't say I would risk soldering, as it may melt the tank.

Or you could just use the MTX fan set up. Overheating is not a big issue.
Or possibly an SRT radiator may have the correct tab location. But there may be clearance issues if you go with a Mag IM.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:24 pm

Well my radiator may be different, the fittings that come on the radiator and trans are thicker and hex shaped instead of just being a fitting, so I don't think it can be crimped and there is no place I found that has plugs that can fit in those holes on the radiator besides the fittings that came on it stock because of the way it is shaped, it is hard to find a bolt size that fits in it properly.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:27 pm

You could always clamp on some neoprene vacuum plugs. I would trust those not to dry rot like the rubber ones.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:15 pm

Does anyone know the radiator dimensions of the regular atx neon 03-05 and the srt-4 radiator dimensions? From what I can see in pictures, the srt has two fans as well and has the same mounting points as the atx except for having no tranny cooler connections on it. It would be a big help to me. Thanks.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:50 pm

I don't have the measurments, but I do know that the core is slightly thicker on the SRT. It bolts in the same way as the one you have.

Somewhere on here are some pics of both side by side. I'll see if I can find them...

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:10 pm

IIRC, it was in a projct log.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:11 pm

Found it

CrashTeam wrote:Alright, So We got the motor out tonight, Wow, easier then I would have ever thought!

A couple things I wanted to bring up and ask about.

First, After reading the Sticky and no one really knowing for sure how different the Radiator is on the SRT, well I got a comparison picture of the cores.

Srt is a full 1/4 in. thicker then base

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:25 pm

Nice. Thanks OD & Dante

. So the core is thicker, so I guess that allows for more cooling. Now the thickness of the core shouldn't be a problem for mounting it as long as the dimensions of the entire rad are the same correct? I believe OD said something earlier about it possibly not fitting properly since I have a Mag IM.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:47 pm

Hmmm. The Magnum intake may be an issue. How much space do you have there now? I can't say how close it would be since the MTX fan is different.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:04 pm

Yea from what I can see there is space, but the ac line passes between the fans and IM. I forgot the a/c cooling system on the srt is different and the IM doesn't take up as much space as the Mag IM does. So it might not be in my best interest to get the srt rad. I guess I will just have to find something to plug the trans cooler outlets with.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:15 pm

Why not just use the plastic caps that come on the ports in the box? Well, they are a bit ugly. But you don't need anything special. Regular rubber caps would be fine. You don't even need to clamp them down.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:24 pm

On the rad I just pulled from my car, there are no ports, the fitting just screws into the rad and a metal hose gets clamped into that fitting with something that I would call an m-clamp since that is the way its shaped, its weird. My rad didn't come with fittings that have barbs on the end like I'm seeing other neons that have them.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:30 pm

So you just have the holes in the rad? In that case you would use some pipe plugs that screw into the radiator. If you take it to a auto parts store (a real one, not Advanced etc) they should have an assortment of fittings to choose from.

Another choice is some plastic hole plugs like what come in rebuilt rack $ pinions for transport.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:43 pm

Only place I could think of going is home depot since they have brass fittings, idk of any other real auto stores around here. Its just a pain since the holes are flared. But I will see what happens when I get a new rad since I talked to a guy at advanced today and said that they carry them but they are different now for easier connection, so apparently the fitting style for the trans cooler connections were changed along the way or something along those lines.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:48 pm

IIRC the holes are pipe thread. Try those at HD.

I can see it now...carrying a radiator through Home Depot.

Saleman: "Errrm, can I help you sir?"

You: "Sure! I have these two holes to fill..."

Saleman: "Security!"

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:52 pm

Me: I promise I won't take too long to fill them, honest!