After market aluminium radiator, & performance intercooler, what brands?

[bob10]

Before we start travelling, I'm considering fitting both, along with the chipable ECU [ I have the first unchipable one] First of all, is it worth it? and what ones are recommended? Cheers.

[Tombie]

Factory quality Radiator, Aftermarket IC and a remap will be very nice.

The factory radiator with the cooling system up to spec is more than capable

[sierrafery]

Before we start travelling, I'm considering fitting both, along with the chipable ECU [ I have the first unchipable one] First of all, is it worth it? and what ones are recommended? Cheers.

About the bolded part, earlyer MSB ECUs are "chipable" which means the chip must be changed for a remap and the later NNN ECUs can be remapped via OBD port so they all can be remapped

[bob10]

About the bolded part, earlyer MSB ECUs are "chipable" which means the chip must be changed for a remap and the later NNN ECUs can be remapped via OBD port so they all can be remapped

Thanks, that is an area I know nothing about, as opposed to knowing just enough to be dangerous. I remember talking to our local LR workshop manager , some time ago. We were discussing getting the minimum "chip" to my ECU to facilitate better towing, my concern was higher EGT temps., which he said could be addressed with an aftermarket Intercooler. It made some sense to me.

[iPom]

I’m pretty sure these Serck Intercoolers from Paddock Spares in the UK are the best value.
Performance Intercooler Discovery TD5 Automatic | Discovery 2 | Serck Motorsport | Brands - Paddock Spares (http://www.paddockspares.com/performance-intercooler-discovery-td5-automatic.html)

[Tombie]

I’m pretty sure these Serck Intercoolers from Paddock Spares in the UK are the best value.
Performance Intercooler Discovery TD5 Automatic | Discovery 2 | Serck Motorsport | Brands - Paddock Spares (http://www.paddockspares.com/performance-intercooler-discovery-td5-automatic.html)

Also the one best known for cracking.
If they crack on Pommy vehicles I’d say Aussie corrugations will break it in no time flat.

[iPom]

Also the one best known for cracking.
If they crack on Pommy vehicles I’d say Aussie corrugations will break it in no time flat.

Strange that. I know two people that have had them fitted for over 4 years with no dramas.

[SPROVER]

Mine is still going strong after 3 years and 23 psi through it[emoji6]

[rangieman]

Strange that. I know two people that have had them fitted for over 4 years with no dramas.
Add another to your list [thumbsupbig]

I think some seem a little over opinionated on certain brands maybe due to interweb here say and not real world R&D in my opinion[bigwhistle]

[Tombie]

Add another to your list [thumbsupbig]

I think some seem a little over opinionated on certain brands maybe due to interweb here say and not real world R&D in my opinion[bigwhistle]

Turn it up Chris...

I manufactured Intercoolers for Defenders and Discoveries for a few years. Spent significant resources in testing different cores, different mounting and tank configurations. Some fatigue, some don’t.

I’ve seen Serck units bellowed out, and weld failures on a few... they sell under the Terrafirma brand and their finish isn’t something I’d put my name to, or accept.

One thing you’ll notice that is never shown is the core of the TF units :)

But that’s ok... what have you R&D’ for a Land Rover?

[Tombie]

Strange that. I know two people that have had them fitted for over 4 years with no dramas.

I know what you’re saying.

My fathers completely stock D3 hasn’t had a problem in 10 years either...
It’s had 20 services, 2 sets of tyres and has 30,000km on the clock. [emoji6]

It definitely depends on environmental factors and use as to how parts perform.

[rangieman]

Turn it up Chris...

I manufactured Intercoolers for Defenders and Discoveries for a few years. Spent significant resources in testing different cores, different mounting and tank configurations. Some fatigue, some don’t.

I’ve seen Serck units bellowed out, and weld failures on a few... they sell under the Terrafirma brand and their finish isn’t something I’d put my name to, or accept.

One thing you’ll notice that is never shown is the core of the TF units :)

But that’s ok... what have you R&D’ for a Land Rover?
Mmmm im happy with mine the finish and quality are good and it hasn`t failed :tease:and either has the sky come in falling due to a lot of other thing`s [bigrolf]

[Tombie]

Mmmm im happy with mine the finish and quality are good and it hasn`t failed :tease:and either has the sky come in falling due to a lot of other thing`s [bigrolf]

Come visit, I’ll take you to meet a work friend, Paul.

Paul never thought the sky would fall either. Until a person working in his area hurt himself.

Paul’s personal fine from Comcare was $40k.

If you consider the odds of that incident would be significantly lower than any of the potential ones for a vehicle then I’ll just continue to dot the “i”s and cross the “t”s and engineer as appropriate.


When you can contribute thermal performance curves, efficiency tests, flow test rates and bother to then produce a product for significantly less than the alternative back when TD5s were new then feel free to take the ****.

When you outlay $25k on tuning gear to being affordable upgrades to Australia.

Did you sit and work with Suspension engineers on damping rates and coil rates for Defenders and D2s?

I didn’t pursue the D3/D4s because the markets flooded now, and I no longer give a **** [emoji1]


Heck, Bob, ignore me... I’m just a dumbarse Birdy rate!

Chris is your man... the James Dean of the LR world...

[rangieman]

Come visit, I’ll take you to meet a work friend, Paul.

Paul never thought the sky would fall either. Until a person working in his area hurt himself.

Paul’s personal fine from Comcare was $40k.

If you consider the odds of that incident would be significantly lower than any of the potential ones for a vehicle then I’ll just continue to dot the “i”s and cross the “t”s and engineer as appropriate.


When you can contribute thermal performance curves, efficiency tests, flow test rates and bother to then produce a product for significantly less than the alternative back when TD5s were new then feel free to take the ****.

When you outlay $25k on tuning gear to being affordable upgrades to Australia.

Did you sit and work with Suspension engineers on damping rates and coil rates for Defenders and D2s?

I didn’t pursue the D3/D4s because the markets flooded now, and I no longer give a **** [emoji1]


Heck, Bob, ignore me... I’m just a dumbarse Birdy rate!

Chris is your man... the James Dean of the LR world...
Oh im flattered :Rolling:

[Tombie]

Oh Flattered.... misread it [emoji48]

[sierrafery]

I’m pretty sure these Serck Intercoolers from Paddock Spares in the UK are the best value.
Performance Intercooler Discovery TD5 Automatic | Discovery 2 | Serck Motorsport | Brands - Paddock Spares (http://www.paddockspares.com/performance-intercooler-discovery-td5-automatic.html)
Here is the best value i've ever seen FRONT MOUNT INTERCOOLER FOR LAND ROVER DEFENDER TD5 1999-2004 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/112886959142) but i dont know anything about it's quality

[County4.4]

So after all that what brand intercoolers were recommened apart from allisport or allard ???

[rangieman]

So after all that what brand intercoolers were recommened apart from allisport or allard ???

It is recommended A LARGER than standard but some are a touch favourable on brand and or manufacture [bigwhistle]

Allisport have had a couple of their alloy products fracture here on this forum in Aus .

With out being a professional engineer or turner ect i went with Serck which has worked for my needs with out issue[thumbsupbig]

[sierrafery]

I didnt know much about it then so i bought the britpart from here Performance Intercoolers - Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order. (https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/britpart-accessories-performance-intercoolers-c-152_2474.html) about 8 years(100K Km) ago and it's still going strong ... IMO Britpart is not that bad when there are no rotating or plastic/rubber elements involved

[PhilipA]

That one looks like a Serck to me.

Just on the point of fractures.
Many RRCs used to fracture their radiators on corrugations.
This was a big problem in Saudi Arabia, however I never suffered a fractured radiator despite lots of desert work.

IMHO it is easy to fracture radiators or intercoolers on corrugations as they are side mounted , although the RRC radiators were also bottom mounted. ( they generally fractured at the join between the side tanks and the core)

The difference is if you drive so fast on corrugations that he front suspension is bottoming all the time then you WILL fracture intercoolers and radiators.
I believe it is largely a driving style issue.
BTW my Serck is fine after about 3 years but I have not done a lot of corrugation work.
Regards Philip A

[rick130]

That one looks like a Serck to me.

Regards Philip A

I was thinking the same.

Interesting your thoughts on the fracturing.
AFAIK its not an issue in Defenders, as they are pin mounted top and bottom in rubber bushes so float.

[rangieman]

I was thinking the same.

Interesting your thoughts on the fracturing.
AFAIK its not an issue in Defenders, as they are pin mounted top and bottom in rubber bushes so float.
D2 is pin mounted aswell[wink11]

[Bohica]

I bought an OEM one, Glasgow Radiators, I think, from Roverlord. This was in January, I'll let you know what it's like when I fit it[biggrin]

[bob10]

All good advice, but I feel no wiser. [ I was a bit like that at school, too.[smilebigeye]] My concern with the D2 radiator is the plastic sides. That's where my first one leaked, just ever so slightly. I just recalled that MR Auto bought in a few fully welded aluminium ones from China. They were going to do a trial on them, but I didn't bother to find out if they were any good. I still have this anti-China bias, probably wrongly. Might just check up on them. Don't sell yourself short Tombie. Leave that up to the dibbies.

[sierrafery]

This Upgrade Aluminium Radiator for 98-04 Land Rover Discovery TD5 2.5L Diesel 1999 9140992492870 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Upgrade-Aluminium-Radiator-for-98-04-Land-Rover-Discovery-TD5-2-5L-Diesel-1999/253733555780'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) is what i have , not very old yet but after around 15K km is OK