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Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable?

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sprigs
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2012/08/28 22:03:30 (permalink)
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Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable?

My radiator, a/c condenser and anything hooked up to them got smash up good. The wreck I'm about to buy is an 93 ADM spec, could I use its radiator till I find a replacement one? Also the A/C condenser, receiver dryer are they interchangeable?
My car is a gen 3 turbo import.
 
 
 
 
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    Dudeman
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    Re:Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable? 2012/08/28 22:59:36 (permalink)
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    I don't think there would be any difference in the condenser.
     
    On the other hand, the turbo cars radiator is larger. Not positive in which measurement but i think its thickness.
     
    At risk of being shouted down i'd think the n/a radiator would be 'ok' temporarily, Toyota likes to over-engineer most things and with that in mind the proper turbo radiator is probably designed to handle some pretty hard conditions.
     
    So in the meantime, don't track your car with an n/a radiator.
     
    Of course, I could be very wrong...

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    darius
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    Re:Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable? 2012/08/29 09:23:33 (permalink)
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    i can safely say my 96 NA radiator, is larger than the replacement i used from a 91 Turbo Radiator both in thickness and in dimension. Both seem to be fine but i'm haven't really tracked my car, if are going to use a different size radiator make sure to take the fans as well. My fans from 96 model dont match the 91 model. 
     
    Found it
     

     
    post edited by darius - 2012/08/29 09:31:11

    Runner Up Best Car in Show Al Palmers March 2011"
    "First place Best MR2 in Show Al Palmers March 2012"
    1997 Gen III 3SGTE SW20 GT-S - 211rwkw; MR2 Owners Club of Aust (NSW Branch) 


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    sprigs
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    Re:Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable? 2012/08/29 11:53:01 (permalink)
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    Well I wont be tracking it, I just need to drive it from A to B safely when the repairs are done, until I find a turbo one.

    Darius - I've been reading up I thought N/a radiators were smaller than turbo ones. Well it doesn't matter as long as it works when hooked up.
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    darius
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    Re:Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable? 2012/08/29 21:56:57 (permalink)
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    Might be based on age, earlier models having smaller radiators compared with later models
     
    minor adjustments to the pipeing will be required and mounting locations for the radiator will be required.

    Runner Up Best Car in Show Al Palmers March 2011"
    "First place Best MR2 in Show Al Palmers March 2012"
    1997 Gen III 3SGTE SW20 GT-S - 211rwkw; MR2 Owners Club of Aust (NSW Branch) 


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    scz
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    Re:Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable? 2012/08/30 17:24:35 (permalink)
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    When I read the post title I thought you wanted to use a radiator as the AC condensor!
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    Highlander
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    Re:Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable? 2013/11/28 23:47:08 (permalink)
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    Great information on this forum and the search function is your friend. Here is Darius' earlier post. Radiator I have taken out matches the one above. PWR matches the one below.
     
    i can safely say my 96 NA radiator, is larger than the replacement i used from a 91 Turbo Radiator both in thickness and in dimension. Both seem to be fine but i'm haven't really tracked my car, if are going to use a different size radiator make sure to take the fans as well. My fans from 96 model dont match the 91 model. 
     


     
    post edited by darius - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:31 AM
    Darius.What did you do with your 96 model fans? Looks like I'm now searching for later model fans or at least the fan shrouds if the fans are interchangeable.
     
    Anyone else have surplus late model fans?
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    Highlander
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    Re:Are the sw20 Radiators and A/C condensor interchangeable? 2013/12/07 18:55:05 (permalink)
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    The drama continues. Replacement smaller radiator received from PWR but it is different again to the radiator I have taken from my car. Found a 2005 reference via google as below which may provide the answer. As my car was originally a JDM car imported to Australia, it probably falls into this category. It appears to be the same width core as used in the AW11 but it appears that the SW20 radiator I have uses the shorter core but perhaps the SW20 header tanks as the position of the flanges are some 25mm lower on my SW20 radiator than on the AW11 radiator.Also the AW11 flanges are at a considerably steeper angle. Fitting this radiator without modifying the position of the steel lines would kink the radiator hoses. Definitely my SW20 radiator has the 572mm core. My car is a 3/90 JDM build according to the VIN. Have checked another Hardtop import with same build date and it has the larger radiator. What gives?
     
    As stated earlier the fan spacings are aklso different. Would suggest that anyone sourcing replacement radiators makes a careful check before ordering anything.
     
    From imoc.co.uk
    what's the difference between a UK-spec radiator and an import radiator?
     
    The quick answer is 4 inches. The shorter core used on the MK1 MR2 radiator was fitted to a few import MK2 car radiators. The normal MR2 MK2 UK spec, and some import radiators is 672mm between the metal water tanks on the radiator. the Shorter import model is 572mm in length.
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