999 Radiator ? - Ducati.ms

Keyboard · Jan 19th, 2012, 6:05 pm

Had anyone ever " replaced " there stock 749/999 Radiator with an aftermarket upgraded unit ?? If so what type and what kind of performance did you get from the change ?

Artistimo · Jan 20th, 2012, 9:25 am

There are RS-model radiators and oil coolers and you see them every now and then on special builds. Check out the Fila build thread somewhere in here for pics. However, they are uber-expensive and gains would be minimal unless you're doing a hyper motor build of some kind.

Other than those I'm not sure of any other aftermarket radiators.

ZDM · Jan 20th, 2012, 10:13 am

Your stock radiator is fine, leave it be. Just take it out occassionally and get all the dead bugs, stones chips and other debris out of the matrix. You would be surprised just how clooged that radiator can get. Looking at it on the bike will not be good enough, take it off-about a 2o minute job, and shine some light thru the back...if it's bad get a pick set and fin straightener and pick out all the debris, straighten the bent fins in the matrix.....good to go! A CoxRacing screen does wonders for protecting the fragile matrix on the radiator and more importantly the oil cooler...

Keyboard · Jan 20th, 2012, 11:39 am

Thanks ZDM....I have to take the front apart anyways soon as I have some new forks to install...might aswell do the rad while I am doing that. I have never taken the rad off so I can imagine how bad it is.

Cheers and thanks.

ZetaTre · Jan 20th, 2012, 1:20 pm

The one that gets dirtier is actually the oil cooler since is directly behind the wheel. The air cooler is up above and doesn't get as clogged up. Every now and then I just take the air compressor and blow it out or if I'm washing the engine, I soak it with simple green and then wash it out. Always blow it from the inside out.

ZDM · Jan 20th, 2012, 1:24 pm

That's my take on the radiator issue anyway. The RS radiators are a waste of time and money-they may look cool though, but are designed for a racing application, not a street application. It would most likely be overkill as the RS rads were designed to handle copius amounts of airflow at racing speeds, not at stop and go street use. IIRC Commonwealth Ducati made an aftermarket 848 radiator for street applications. AFAIK none exist for the 999. When I removed mine it was loaded with debris. I bought a pick set from LT.Synder's place and picked all the junk out of the matrix. Keep both clean and protect them with a Cox Racing screen and you'll be good.
My 999 has a 1038cc kit w/HC Pistal pistons, porting, etc., and runs nice and cool, no over heating issues. It was dynoed at 149HP, 86ft.lb. and extra HP hasn't caused any over heatig issues.

Italkart21 · Jan 21st, 2012, 9:50 am

This First shot is of the cooling system components behind the battery box. At this point the only thing removed from the system is the radiator and catch tank.

In order to get the maximum amount of weight savings everything must be replaced. I do not plan on using fans at all. Custom hardlines with provisions for temp sensors are required. Note: These shots have no electronics present in them.

Total weight removed is more than I was expecting. Total expense will be more than the cost of a good dirtbike.

This mod looks sweet but sets off a chain reaction of Major changes that might be overly complicated to justify its benefit for most people.

ZDM · Jan 21st, 2012, 10:52 am

That's one of the nicer 999R builds I've seen.....I was under the impression that the RS system neede more pressure or was pressurized to cool correctly? Everything on the RS' cooling system is larger, IIRC the water pump is also. But they seems to work well on the road going versions. It was my understanding that the RS radiator need the CF shrouds that mount on either side much like the stock shrouds that are built into the air ducts on the road going models. Thats why the EVR airbox is designed as it is with those shrouds....however it's a very cool mod.

ZetaTre · Jan 21st, 2012, 10:55 am

Italkart21: what's your plan for the coolant reservoir? I'm looking into installing CF runners on my 999S and I absolutely do not want to cut out the stock reservoir. So far my choice is for a aluminum reservoir from Bursi, but maybe you have found something even better.

Thanks!

ZDM · Jan 21st, 2012, 11:11 am

I had tried to CF air ducts and overflow tank from Bursi Evo. The ducts were way too long and were designed for the RS 999. So I sent them back and kept the tank. I bought another set of CF ducts from Motowheels but the left duct was warped which prevent my fairing from going back on. MW wouldn't take them back so I sold the tank and CF ducts to a guy who was going to use them under his racing fairings. I really didn't like the Bursi tank so I bought the ProMotion version...$30 bucks. That mounted up well and was inexpensive. I ended up selling that and going back to stock.....

Installing the RS radiator on a road going 999 is a fortune. The 999R above has the RS blue water unions which will probably set you back $5-600 to start...my blue RS vertical cylinder water union was $315 bucks....

..but it so cool!