mikstr

Well, after going to a rad shop with the cooler I picked up on eBay (a practically new one from a Honda EX400 ATV) and having the one inlet turned so it was straight, I finally managed to install the cooler last night. I ran into a bit of a hitch in fastening it but finally resorted to those handy little helpers, tie-wraps. She's on there good now and the cooler capacity now is twice what it was (twice the surface area). I went riding today (Spring finally setting in so I took the day off work) and put on about 150 miles and all is well. Not a big deal I guess but the additional cooling capacity surely can't hurt.

That's it....aren't you excited? lol

cheers

Hawkrider

So did you notice any difference in engine temperature or smoother/notchier shifting?

mikstr

Hard to tell because I have been making so many other changes at the same time (playing with the airbox, Flo-Commander settings, shifter changes,...). I did ride in town a bit and it seemed to not heat up as quickly (and cool down more quickly once underway) but it's a tough call. The test will come this summer when I ride in conditions that I know used to set off the fan very quickly.

I will say that the shifter linkage mods I made (based on what I read on this forum, but I went a bit further by moving the arm over by two splines and shimming the shifter arm pivot to take out some slop) work extremely well; the shifter throw is noticeably shorter and more positive (you hardly move it to pop it into neutral).

I must say I am extremely happy with the mods I have made this year (especially RC calipers, shifter, airbox/snorkel, Vista-Cruise but also the cosmetic stuff like the flush mount front signals, removing the hugger and installing an alum. chainguard, painting the Microns,...). Let's just say there aren't rough edges left on her now....

seaton001

Do you have any details of how they turned the inlet? I have an RC51 (4 levels) and a GSXR (7 levels) and the inlets don't line up straight. I really would like to know what they did to turn them.

mikstr

couldn't tell ya, although the guy at the counter did say that it was tricky and not just a matter of cutting and re-welding (due to small passages). What I thought was a very simple job (cut and weld) going in ended up costing me $75 but the guy did a real nice job on it (TIG welded, very clean, then re-painted). Sorry I can't offer more info than that but taht's all I know.
The cooler I have is 4 levels as well (virtually identical to RC but with different mounts).

seaton001

That's OK... It brings another aspect into it knowing that it can be done. I will see if I can get some more information on it and pass it on to others that may be interested.

mikstr

My cooler cost me $25 CAN shipped so I figured I had nothing to lose. Of course, I then had to add the other $75 but it really was brand new, the guy took it off and replaced it right away (not a scratch or bent fin on it). So, I'm out $100 but I am sure it would cost more than that new (and it still wouldn't fit due to inlet). For once I came out ahead, lol

KC-10ENG

We want Pics!!

shayne

Jokes aside, good to see you have it done! It will be interesting to see if you notice a difference when the weather heats up. I was always of the opinion that oil cooling provide about 20% of cooling on most engines, BUT my local ally radiator specialist reckons not. When I talked to him about a larger cooler, he stated I would be far better off with a third forward mounted radiator. Be intersted to see your results.

Did you end up doing my heim joint mod on your shifter?

mikstr

I would love to get a third rad (and did give it some thought) but I think that may be overkill ($$$$) in my case, maybe if I was racing but alas, I only ride on the street. In terms of the oil helping to cool, Suzuki obviously saw some value in it with the early GSX-R's. The later shift to liquid-cooling is evidence that oil alone is likely insufficient to cool the engine adequuately (although I think noise issues also played a part as there are definite noise reduction benefits to water jackets) but it can't hurt. Plus, with the exhaust beign right underneath (and quite close) to the sump, I can't imagine it doesn't help to heat up/cook the oil in low-speed riding. The way I see it, the added oil cooler area will help to counteract taht to some extent and may help to slow down the thermal breakdown of the oil.

mikstr

Update for Shayne and others who wanted to see how I was making out since installing the larger oil cooler.

Having had a chance to put some mileage on the bike Low-speed running, hot and congested traffic,...), it does seem to help keep engine temperatures in check better than the OEM cooler did. It doesn't heat up to the point that the fan kicks in as quickly and seems to cool down more quickly once you get moving (in low-speed and stop-and-go running). All in all it does exactly what I was hoping it would do and I would recommend it to others who were possibly considering it.

cheers

shayne

That's good. Something that the VTR needs if you are going to ride in traffic I reckon. Might have to look at it myself.

smokinjoe73

has anyone found a 3rd rad to fit? theres so little room, I mounted a zx-7 oil cooler (double the stocker) for city riding, seems to help but I think your always optimistic after a project is done.

skokievtr

to no avail for a 4 row oil cooler that will simply bolt up. The RC51 and 400 ATV will not.

Has anyone yet found one that will fit without major work?