Subaru Crosstrek and XV Forums banner

Suggestions for hi-performance radiator

3.1K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  xvfan70  
Chances are you don't need a new one, at all. The radiator is designed to dissipate all the heat the engine generates, in the worst operating conditions, under full load + towing - with the same configuration sold in Canada, US, as well as Australia (which has a Nevada-like climate). Many issues are reported with Subies, but overheating is never part of them (unless HGs blow).

A quick check reveals that your water pump is 21110AA690 - fitting, from 2011 to 2020, the BRZ, the 2.5 Forester Turbo, the Impreza, XV Crosstrek., Legacy and Outback and....all across 2.0 and 2.5L engines. It basically means that, in the NA 2.0, it generates way more coolant flow (and thus thermal dissipation) than the little engine actually needs. Knowing Subaru (a little company making Lego-like cars with as much common parts as possible), it also likely implies the 2.0 radiator core has never been specifically designed to be smaller for this one engine. Bottom line, it's likely the engine has already a built-in overcooling capacity.

Get an OBD2 reader, and monitor your coolant temperatures, just to have a peace of mind, IMHO
 
Better safe than sorry! The fact Subarus don't overheat, and that our 2.0 cars are over-engineered for what they can do doesn't mean it's the case for all cars. Enjoy your desert trips!