How to run 2g Aluminum/Stock radiator with a SOHC head

Review:

The difference between 7g and 2g radiators is the coolant filler neck (and minor size differences). The filler neck on 7g is part of the radiator while on 2g its part of the thermostat housing.

7g radiator

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...NEwwJEPi8oSnYp

2g radiator

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...N3MKaOyPdTW7uB

Making this work is very simple. You'll need 2g thermostat housing (just the upper part of it) and 2g radiator (aluminum or stock)

All you do is swap the upper part of the 7g thermostat housing with the 2g one. Its a bolt on, no modifications needed. Use some permatex (I have MItsubishi OEM grey kind) to seal the surfaces. Now its a good time to replace the old radiator hoses with brand new ones.

Here's the 7g thermostat assembly:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/HPIM1169.jpg

and the 2g upper thermostat housing

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/HPIM1168.jpg

The swap:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...HPIM1170-1.jpg

Make sure you grab the 2g cap, because its not compatible with the 7g radiator cap.


Installation pics will be posted later

why? I mean it looks good but....why? Is the 2G radiator more eficient or hold more coolant than ours?

The aluminum does, stock one does not

aluminum > crappy plastic, for strength and heat dissipation

Jeebus...SPAM!

any news on this? I need a new radiator and I was thinking about geting an aluminum one. I was just looking at the pics and I was thinking that it might put the hose in a bad bind.

And youd be able to route your intake pipe around the radiator hoses. 7g radiator and hoses dont allow to much room.

Ok I think I'm going to get a 2g aluminum radiator but the thermostat housing at autozone does not look like that. It looks like it would stick straight up. What year and trim is that off of?

95 -99 gst and gsx

is the bolt style of the lower portion different as the angle it would be at is really awkward. we use the same thermostat as the turbo cars and i think it would be best, if possible as i havent compared them, to swap both lower and upper portions of the thermostat housing then using stock 2g hoses and the minty fresh aluminum radiator, or else is is such a critical angle on the hose and u may have to make it work with something custom

the lower housing although it looks similar it is very different. 7g thermostat sit at the front of the head, and the 2g housing sits on the side.

Both housings point slightly upward, but since the 2g is little longer due to the filling neck, it looks kind of odd, but it still fits and will work.

main issue for people will be making the upper hose reach as the entrance to the radiator is directly in the middle unlike ours that is more torwards the passenger side so i wonder if the stock hose would reach

it will be necessary to put together 2 hoses which is very easy by the way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mko

it will be necessary to put together 2 hoses which is very easy by the way.

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i figured, just figured get that out there so they know when they attempt to do this. i wont be as im going DOHC but its great for the people who are SOHC turbo or looking for the bling factor in the bay