Noworries755
New Member
Hello.
This is my first post. I am currently rebuilding my TD5 90 onto a new chassis and I keep making small upgrades as I go.
Whilst waiting for things to be welded and painted I turned my attention to the heater matrix. On the blogs there are a million posts all asking how to improve the heat in our loved Defenders. The common problem is a simple lack of heat and performance. The Allisport heater matrix upgrade is a whopping £277 whilst the land rover replacement is £26 on Ebay.
I have a possible alternative which I would value your opinion on. It only takes a minor modification to the heater box which should it be unsuccessful means I can replace the original matirix without much issue.
I have replaced the land rover matrix with that of a VW Passat 73-88 for £19.30 from ebay.
Land rover core is 248mm x 152mm x 32mm with a volume of 0.00121m2
VW Passat core is 234mm x 155mm x 42mm with a core volume of 0.00152m2
That's an upgrade of 25%
The VW matrix also has much larger internal pipes because as we all know the land rover matrix is prome to clogging
Land rover Matrix
VW Matrix
The main issue is that the pipe connections are 16mm on the VW as opposed to the 19mm on the land rover but the land rover rubbers are 16mm but open to 19mm on the ends. If you cut back a little then they fit.
The other issue is the VW pipes are shorter and closer to the matrix so a small modification needs to be made to the box so the rubber pipes can be fitted. We made a small infill piece on the cold air side of the matrix and altered the top cover piece a little as the VW matrix is a little slimmer on the top
A small modification was made on the bottom cover piece also as the bottom reservoir does not quite fit inside the heater box.
I have no idea yet if it will improve the heat supply as I am still rebuilding at present. I just thought I would share my ideas and ask for your comments.
I am currently creating a new rear wiring loom with addition supplies as it would appear the last owner owned a set or gardening shears.
Andy
This is my first post. I am currently rebuilding my TD5 90 onto a new chassis and I keep making small upgrades as I go.
Whilst waiting for things to be welded and painted I turned my attention to the heater matrix. On the blogs there are a million posts all asking how to improve the heat in our loved Defenders. The common problem is a simple lack of heat and performance. The Allisport heater matrix upgrade is a whopping £277 whilst the land rover replacement is £26 on Ebay.
I have a possible alternative which I would value your opinion on. It only takes a minor modification to the heater box which should it be unsuccessful means I can replace the original matirix without much issue.
I have replaced the land rover matrix with that of a VW Passat 73-88 for £19.30 from ebay.
Land rover core is 248mm x 152mm x 32mm with a volume of 0.00121m2
VW Passat core is 234mm x 155mm x 42mm with a core volume of 0.00152m2
That's an upgrade of 25%
The VW matrix also has much larger internal pipes because as we all know the land rover matrix is prome to clogging
Land rover Matrix
VW Matrix
The main issue is that the pipe connections are 16mm on the VW as opposed to the 19mm on the land rover but the land rover rubbers are 16mm but open to 19mm on the ends. If you cut back a little then they fit.
The other issue is the VW pipes are shorter and closer to the matrix so a small modification needs to be made to the box so the rubber pipes can be fitted. We made a small infill piece on the cold air side of the matrix and altered the top cover piece a little as the VW matrix is a little slimmer on the top
A small modification was made on the bottom cover piece also as the bottom reservoir does not quite fit inside the heater box.
I have no idea yet if it will improve the heat supply as I am still rebuilding at present. I just thought I would share my ideas and ask for your comments.
I am currently creating a new rear wiring loom with addition supplies as it would appear the last owner owned a set or gardening shears.
Andy
