Auxiliary Radiator Delete

Post by **caldy** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:12 am

I got that itchy feeling again so with my car on SORN for the winter, I decided to have a try at installing a cold air feed.

This is what awaits you once you have removed the front bumper and plastic air duct to the radiator.

Upon removing the radiator, I discovered that there were 3 water inlet/outlets so I had a local radiator repair shop fabricate me a 20mm equal T with flared ends which enabled me to make the join.

Unfortunately, the hose from the secondary air pump to the air filter housing passed right across the air trumpet inlet. A trip to my local VW truck spares found me an unrelated but twisted hose that I cut to suit and which then routed the pipe away from the air trumpet. My car had already had the air flap removed.

I then attached a 1 metre length of collapsible trunking to the inlet trumpet and routed this to the front, finishing it off with the top of a funnel, cut and taped to suit.

It was a real pain to reassemble everything because the plastic air duct was previously mounted to the radiator. Also, with the new ducting in place, everything is a bit squashed but aided by plenty of cable ties, I got it all back together.

Thus my car now has a cold air inlet feeding a JHM silicone air intake, through a devaned, ported and polished inlet manifold, then exiting through a custom s/s exhaust with 200 cell sports cats. Should be interesting. Next step is to find a nice fine day and take some air flow readings to see how it compares to stock.

Post by **caldy** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:15 am

By the way, those of you who think that it would be a simple job to relocate the radiator elsewhere, think again. It's bigger than you think and there isn't any room!

Post by **S4Player** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:44 am

Good job mate black end on the pipework would look better! Did you relocate the rad or do away with it? I'm sure I don't have one

Post by **caldy** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:33 am

It's gone and I cannot see another place to locate it. Once you undertake a 'simple' job like this, you realise just how complicated a modern car is with clips, preformed hoses, brackets etc. There's no space anywhere to mount the standard auxiliary radiator - it would need to be a custom job.

I think I'll have to black tape over the funnel coz it looks 'off'. Couldn't find a black funnel the correct size.

Post by **sonny** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:56 am

Agree, Don't demonteaks sell the trumpets (or you could just paint it)? So is there any down sides to removing the Auxiliary Radiator, surely there is?

I was looking at installing a cold air feed, but wont bother if it involves removing the rads.

Great Job though

Post by **caldy** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:15 am

The only downside I can foresee is a drop in cooling capacity but MRC have tested at The Ring with a similar set up without any cooling issues. I suspect Audi over engineered the cooling system for all world markets, but overheating in the North East is unlikely to be a problem!

Post by **R33** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:27 pm

The other down side is how close it is to the ground for water intake. Drive carefully through big puddles, also at high speed in spray and heavy rain this might be a serious issue, and could at least clog and soak the air filter? I'm not knocking your handy work and I look forward to seeing the results when you get it on a rolling road.

Post by **P_G** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:38 pm

caldy's car never goes out in anything but sunny conditions for 4 days of the year, otherwise it is in his garage in bits whilst he does his Claudio Ranieri impression!

The only thing that will get sucked in to the air filter is an effing big bumble bee!

Post by **sonny** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:00 pm

LOL.

I remember reading somewhere that the temperature Coolant gage is programmed not too go over the halfway point. Is seems that most Audis run hot, a lot of customers where complaining, so Audi "fixed" the temp gage not too go over the half way mark. Any one else remember reading an article on this..or am I talking bo**oks lol If so removing the Aux rad may in fact make the engine run a lot hotter than what you think.

Post by **Doug_S2** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm

We are getting some larger aux rads made in ali - so you can replae the other side one. None have needed it so far - even the supercharged ones.

If you are getting mapped by us, you ca also remove the secondary air injection pump.

Did you remove the flap in the airbox?

Post by **caldy** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:20 pm

Doug_S2 wrote:Did you remove the flap in the airbox?

Already removed. I have ducted the pipe directly onto the air trumpet.

Post by **duud40** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:21 pm

funky manifold color

Post by **Revolution** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 1:21 pm

Drove Cadly's today and it feels noticeably quicker over 3,000 revs but couldnt push it too much because of traffic - but i would say its a job well done!!

He was talking Italiano to me though so P_G i think you have something there

Post by **P_G** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:26 pm

Ho capito che vuoi dire che Ã¨ notevolmente piÃ¹ veloce di quanto non fosse prima, piuttosto che sopra il vostro?

Sorry Glenn; what I meant to say was I gather that you mean it is noticeably quicker than it was before rather than over yours?

Post by **Revolution** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 3:00 pm

SÃ¬, sÃ¬, mi dispiace intendeva dire che sono stato paragonandola alla mia macchina - Ã¨ stato fantastico!!

oh sorry Graham what i meant to say was:
yes, yes sorry i meant to say i was comparing it to my car - it was fantastic!!

I take it Caldy is offline today.

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