Matty Dog
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| posted on 13/12/11 at 08:54 PM |
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Heater suggestions wanted - like the Mini one, only bigger
I'm building a sort of bloated Locost with a Lexus V8, and I'm looking for suggestions of what heater to use.
The old Mini heater ticks all the boxes, but I'd like something a bit bigger. I've got the space above the transmission, and if I can find
something that helps the radiator keep the engine cool, then that would be a bonus.
The Mini heater has the right sort of 1960's look, and is a convenient unit to fit. Is there anything from that period (1950's to
1970's) that is much the same only bigger?
Cheers,
Matthew
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 13/12/11 at 08:58 PM |
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link
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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dave r
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| posted on 13/12/11 at 08:58 PM |
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vw polo are small, easy to remove the bit you need and quite efficent
I'd love to give my imaginary friend a great big hug,
but this jacket makes it impossible.
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PSpirine
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| posted on 13/12/11 at 09:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by dave r
vw polo are small, easy to remove the bit you need and quite efficent
Between the heater and the rad.. do you just think that the Polo cooling/heater engineer at VW had started a Locost and couldn't afford the
bits, so designed the right parts for the Polo and then used them for free 
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Matty Dog
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| posted on 13/12/11 at 09:09 PM |
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If I had any sense, I would just install the Polo heater, but the Mini one looks the part, being a folded steel box with the fan motor sticking out of
it. Maybe I should use 2 Mini heaters, one for the drivers feet and one for the passengers!
Due to design shortcomings, I didn't leave much space at the front of the car for a huge radiator, hence why I'm trying to find a suitably
large heater to make up for it.
One option I'm considering to to use the radiator and fan from a motorcycle, and fold up my own box for it.
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PSpirine
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| posted on 13/12/11 at 09:17 PM |
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To be honest if you're after an old looking heater, just look at larger cars from the 50s-60s. There are loads that are the simple metal box
style you're looking for.
Don't expect performance that would be better than the polo though, heaters have come on leaps and bounds...
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MikeR
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| posted on 13/12/11 at 09:20 PM |
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If you want the little heater - instead of paying those prices, go to a computer supplies place and look at the water cooling solutions for
processors. It looks identical.
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Matty Dog
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| posted on 14/12/11 at 12:02 AM |
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Thanks for the suggestions.
The Mk2 Polo (as suggested) was never sold new in New Zealand, so they are pretty scarce here, and probably not worth the cost of posting one from the
UK. Same with the CBS heater, which looks good, but not so locost by the time it's landed here.
I'm now thinking of building a heater box around something like this:
which is the radiator and fans from a 750cc Honda motorcycle.
[Edited on 14/12/11 by Matty Dog]
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Simon
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| posted on 14/12/11 at 12:35 AM |
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MGB heater might be suitable - in fact any "BL" companies may have something similar - variation on a theme - to the Mini
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/ah/heater.htm
ATB
Simon
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Bare
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| posted on 14/12/11 at 03:28 AM |
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Nawww.. just route the exhaust tubings, catalytics and or mufflers under/near the driver's area.
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stevegough
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| posted on 14/12/11 at 08:03 AM |
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Or you could use a matrix, and build it yourself, locost - style. I made my own due to lack of space, but you could use the motorcycle one in the same
way to get extra engine cooling - however, you need to think of your own comfort - you don't want the equivalent of a fan heater blowing at you
in the summer months - lets face it - that is when your engine will need the most cooling.
Mine is a new mini (classic, not BMW!) matrix, with 2 folded sheets of ally......
 
Description
Then I attached a cut-and-shut blower off the Sierra. It works a treat!
 
Description
[Edited on 14/12/11 by stevegough]
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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Matty Dog
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| posted on 14/12/11 at 08:10 AM |
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That's a hell of a nice job, and roughly the sort of thing I've got in mind.
You're right about extra cooling being most needed when you least want a heater.
I wonder if I could set up a bypass, so I can shut off the hot air going to the footwells and direct it down into the transmission tunnel.
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