Aluminum Pressurized Radiator EFI and standard????

[opelspyder]

I messed up a couple months ago ordering an aluminum radiator from GTSOurce that was made for the EFI setup instead of the standard one. It was the only one they had which requires a pressurized bottle. So now for my questions, as I am stuck using this radiator.
1. Why does EFI require a pressurized bottle? They used standard radiators.
2. The instructions have the bottle with 3 ports, one from the top of the radiator, and two for the heater loop. Why are they in the heater loop?
3. Can I cap off the heater loop ports, and just run this reservoir as an overflow? And if that is the case, is there a small canister anyone knows of I could use that would replace the bottle, as the bottle is too big.

This I do know, or have figured out...the bottle would basically be a radiator cap reservoir if I plug off the other two ports. I also know I can't really use an aftermarket overflow bottle, as they are not designed to be used to fill the radiator-remember, there is not a cap built in to this radiator. I would need some type of reservoir that could be filled, and have a pressurized cap on it.

Lots of questions, just the main one is, will it hurt anything to cap off the two heater curcuit ports to the bottle?
Keith

[wrench459]

What size tank are you after?
The closed system will need all three lines to properly bleed all the air out.
My thinking would be to mount the tank as high as you can. Also maybe a bleed line from the top of the t-stat. Most of the surge tanks I've seen has baffles. Humm engineers help because summer is coming soon.

[opelspyder]

Reservoir came with the setup, its a GM unit, more than likely from a German model. I don't think the two extra lines are for air bleed, but for circulation. Pictures of the tank are included in the GTSource interim catalog. Looking on Ebay at some pressure tanks, it seems that the extra lines would not be required, it just is easier to locate a reservoir for easy reach, as the radiator is covered up in many cars. The mounting is over near the driver firewall, and its all laid out, I just do not want all the extra spiderweb of hoses, when I do not think it needs them. Nothing will be changed about the factory hose/coolant routing, which I've never had air lock issues.
Keith

[markandson]

This system is installed on my engine, the small ports on the triangular bottle cause flow through the throttle body connections and if I remember correctly the upper large connection goes to the radiator and the lower one runs to a "T" that is on the water pump connection. I have a connection diagram at home. I don't see any reason that the bottle could not be used as a reservoir only. It seems as though your problem is space, have you looked at my engine to see where I mounted mine?

[oldopelguy]

If space is tight, use one of these:
Speedway Expansion Tank

Mount it somewhere handy and as high as possible (my vote would be on the front side of the radiator support, with the cap sticking up so as to just barely clear the hood), run the bottom fitting to the block side fitting and the top one to the radiator. Then hook your heater up to either the thermostat and water pump as per carbed cars or to a "T" off the block side fitting and to the water pump. No actual flow through the tank, but it lets water flow to the low point and air come back out the vent. Should be just the ticket, and the price isn't bad at all.

[opelspyder]

Turns out I will just do the swap out with GTSource, Dennis is taking care of me. I don't like the room it takes up, just a personal deep down issue I have. Ha.
Keith

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by opelspyder ... personal deep down issue I have. Ha. Keith

One of many Keith, one of many!

On the road again to Charlotte. I'm taking the scenic route!

Harold