Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Aluminum Frame Conversion (AFC)
A different kind of radiator question/discussion
SS109:
OK, can someone answer me this...
Why use the KX250F/450F radiators in the first place? Why not use the original KX500 (or whatever donor engine) instead? Is there a significant cooling advantage that I'm not seeing or what?
Look at this diagram I pulled from Benny's build manual...
In my opinion, the factory KX500 routing should be more efficient than the "F" routing as it forces coolant to travel through both radiators. The lower right radiator feeds the water pump then the lower left radiator is fed the hot coolant. From there it has to travel upward through the left radiator, out the balance/transfer hose at the top to the right radiator, then down through the right radiator until it feeds the water pump again. That uses every bit of cooling area provided by both radiators.
Now, notice how the "F" cooling system routes the radiators. Both radiators feed the pump and they both receive the hot coolant from the engine simultaneously and, in theory, should be equal between the two. However, that isn't how things always work in the real world. We all know that all forces (electricity, water, ect.) will take the path of least resistance. I would be willing to bet one radiator does most of the cooling thereby not getting the maximum efficiency from each radiator. The only thing I can see as an advantage to the "F" type routing is if you are low on coolant. If you have at least some coolant in the system then it will be most likely fed back to the engine. Maybe that is needed on a 4T but we are talking about installing 2T engines here.
I know, I'm probably way over thinking it but it just seems logical that the KX500's system of forcing the coolant through both radiators would be superior. I'm sure it probably isn't a big deal either way but with all the headaches associated with modifying the "F" radiators it might be the better option! Thoughts?
Motorrad:
Sitting around a camp fire in the Desert right now pondering solutions to my cooling woes... Will discuss when back in town in a few days.. Been here Rodin my K5 for 8days so far.. Heaven...
DeadRinger:
bet its coold there what desert u in?
Dutch-K5 Fan:
Mine opinion is that the Kx500 routing is better(that's wy I did it that way).
On the other hand the F routing is newer, and should be better.
Only "probleme" what I have with my radiatorguards, I had to make a alu bracket (like works connection make).
And from there a mounting point for the lower bolts, because mine ratiators don't line up with the radiators.
Mostly the F radiators come with the donor bike.
Dutchie
SS109:
I have always felt that just because something is newer doesn't necessarily mean better!
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