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Upgrade cooling system

Red99CSVT

CEG'er
Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Messages
437
Location
Gig Harbor, Wa
I recently moved to Phoenix and want to know what people have done to upgrade the cooling system. My car runs great and I have no issues right now but I'd like to have the car running cooler come summer time here. I am going to put a lower temp thermostat in but what about radiators, fan's, fan temeratures, coolant additives, high flow water pumps, etc.
 
The only thing I know available is to have a radiator that was originally spec for the mondeos shipped to the middle east. This is also known here as the SVT radiator now discontinued. It is thicker than the 1 inch thick standard radiator. If you have a genuine SVT radiator you can't get anything better. I'm not a fan of low temp thermostats but, I am from Michigan where we see many days with cool and even downright cold temps. Just remember if the computer sees colder than normal temp on the coolant I keeps the engine in warmup mode (think choke on carb) longer. Some people have sworn by waterless coolants because they fight corrosion better and can transfer heat better.
 
I do not agree with lower temp thermostats. The PCM designed to run within a certain temperature range. There are no alternate water pump options.

I would just make sure that the coolant is good and newer. Make sure the radiator is clean. other then that with a tune the fan set points could be lowered.

honestly the factory cooling system should function just fine.
 
For preventative maintenance, you can replace the original water pump with an upgraded metal impeller or newer plastic impeller. BAT sells the metal version, and you can source a newer plastic pump from the normal parts stores.
 
The SVT Contour came factory with a 3" thick radiator core compared to non-svt 1"core for those desert gulf and arizona enviroments. That to me means that it takes 10 minutes to get heat on my cold michigan mornings! lol
 
The SVT Contour came factory with a 3" thick radiator core compared to non-svt 1"core for those desert gulf and arizona enviroments. That to me means that it takes 10 minutes to get heat on my cold michigan mornings! lol

The SVT radiator core is only a little over 1" thick, the standard radiator is closer to 2/3 of an inch.
 
Good catch. Did the switchover begin with 98.5+ models?

not sure. best we could tell in the past 99's where ok. Most if not all 98s had the black impellar. By this time they should have all failed. It was only a matter of time anyway with the black impellar.
 
Instead of just focusing on the radiator...you could also add an oil cooler to help keep your engine "in spec" during hot days. My car came with one when I bought it from the PO, and I know I was thankful for it in Phoenix last Aug and Sep!! Hot as hell...

BTW...how do you like Phoenix? I may be moving back soon...
 
I will definetly look into a better engine oil cooler, I'm going to run a lower temp thermostat not sure what temp yet. I have a metal impeller water pump that was one of the first things I swapped out when I got the car. Although I need to replace it as it is leaking out the weep hole and summer id coming soon.
 
Reminder: All SVT Contours already have an oil cooler from the factory. It's a water/oil cooler sandwiched between the oil filter and the block. If you look its tight to the block with two water cooling hoses going from it to the water pump area on the drivers side of the engine block.
 
Reminder: All SVT Contours already have an oil cooler from the factory. It's a water/oil cooler sandwiched between the oil filter and the block. If you look its tight to the block with two water cooling hoses going from it to the water pump area on the drivers side of the engine block.

yes it is called an oil cooler but in reality it acts more like an oil warmer. The coolant will come to temperature faster then the oil. With the cooler in place the oil reaches its normal operating pressure and I believe temperature faster then without the cooler in place.

Now I am sure it does help to cool that oil also but I don't have first hand knowledge of how well it works.
 
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