LDC Chicago vs Apten
Cooling Mod Kits
Comparing cooling mod kits from LDC Chicago and Apten
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 Figure 2 Apten Cooling Mod Kit, driver's side on the left, passenger side on the right. (click here to see a large format version of this photo) |
What they do
On the '03/'04 Cobras, only the cylinders on the passenger's side head have an outlet for coolant to exit from the head. The coolant that exits goes on to the heater core. There have been numerous failures reported of the rear two pistons on the driver's side (cylinders #7 and #8) on modified Cobra's. One of the most viable theories for these failures is related to the lack of an exit for coolant on the driver's side head. This theory is that coolant more or less gets stuck in a pocket at the back of the driver's side cylinder head and this causes localized overheating at the #7 and #8 cylinders. A probable cure for this problem is to modify the cooling system so that coolant can exit the driver's side cylinder head and join the coolant flow leaving the passenger side head on it's way to the heater core and then on to the radiator.
 Figure 3 Example of an undamaged #3 piston (on left) next to a damaged #7 piston (right) from the same engine. Source: SVTPerfomance.com forums |
Why this mod works
The flow of a fluid into any passage cannot be more than the outflow of the design will allow from that passage. Imagine the cardboard roll of any paper towel after the paper is used up. Hold the tube out of a car window at 60 mph, pointed in the direction of travel. Now, pinch down the exit end of the tube so that it's closed. How much air will flow through the tube? Virtually none. Open the outlet to the full diameter and air will flow through the tube like gangbusters. Same idea here, increase flow out of the head and you increase flow of cooled water into the head, and eliminate the pocket of swirling, hot coolant at the back of the head.
How these kits work
Both the LDC Chicago and the Apten kits are based on the same part, the stock Ford outlet for the passenger side cylinder head. The Apten kit includes a stock, unmodified version of this part (as shown in figures 4, 5, and 6 below). For both kits, you are expected to remove a freeze plug on the back of the driver's side head and insert the new outlet into the freeze plug opening. Then you will use the included heater hose and a plastic "T" fitting to connect the new outlet to the existing passenger side outlet.
NOTE: Both kits require that the transmission be removed in order to install the kit.
 Figure 4 This is the stock Ford coolant outlet for the passenger side head. This photo is of the unmodified part as it comes in the Apten kit. |
 Figure 5 This is the Apten setup (but on a Mercury Marauder not a Cobra--so the plumbing on the passenger side is different), the new stock Ford outlet goes on the driver's side head, and is mated to the hose coming off the passenger side outlet with a plastic "T". Source: ModularFords.com forums |
 Figure 6 This is the driver's side of the Apten kit on a 2003 Cobra. Note the plastic "T" fitting. |
The LDC Chicago kit includes two of the Ford outlets, both modifed. The driver's side outlet has a curved outlet tube (figure 7) that clears the EGR tubing without requiring any bending of the EGR plumbing. The driver's side outlet (figure 8) is modified with a right angle tube welded in to merge the flow:
 Figure 7 The driver's side outlet from the LDC kit. |
 Figure 8 The modified passenger side outlet from the LDC kit. Note the welded "T". |
 Figure 9 The LDC Chicago setup in place. |
Advantages and Disadvantages to the Kits
Apten Kit
Advantages
The Apten has one advantage, price. At $125 it's $39 cheaper than the LDC Chicago kit. But it's disadvantages probably outweight it's price edge. There's a reason the LDC Chicago kit costs more, as we'll see in a moment.Disadvantages
The Apten kit has four weaknesses:
- The Plastic "T" fitting is prone to failure--it appears that prolonged exposure to the 220+ degrees (F) of the coolant softens and weakens the plastic over time and the fitting can deform or burst. Since the transmission needs to beremoved to replace this "T", this is a major risk.
- The kit places the crossover hose very high, above the air bleed fitting on the stock crossover tube at the front of the engine. This can trap air in the system, making it very hard to "burp" the engine and remove all the air.
- Bending of the EGR tube is required. The EGR tube is made from stainless steel and is not easy to bend.
- You must remove the factory flow restrictor in the outlet hose in order to install the platic "T". This restrictor appears to function as a dampener, prevent cooling system pressure surges from damaging the heater core. The LDC Chicago kit allows you to keep the restrictor in place.
Figure 10
An Apten "T" fitting that failed after installation. The plastic softened and deformed. This required the transmission to be removed a second time to repair this.
Source: ModularFords.com forums.
Figure 11
Note the height of the crossover hose above the top of the bell housing flange on the Apten kit. This height can trap air in the cooling system.
Figure 12
Note the approximate distance the EGR tube must be bent in order to clear the driver's side outlet fitting on the Apten kit. Compare with Figure XX which shows the LDC Chicago kit's solution.
LDC Chicago Kit
Advantages
- The LDC Chicago kit has no plastic parts, the "T" is accomplished by means of a sturdy welded metal tube.
- The crossover tube is much lower than the Apten kit, hugging the top of the bell housing.
- No bending of the EGR tube is required.
- You can keep the stock flow restrictor in place.
Disadvantages
At $159 the LDC Chicago kit is $39 more expensive than the Apten kit. But considering that you get two custom, modified outlets and there are no plastic parts, instead of the Apten kit's single unmodified outlet with plastic "T", the kit is a much better value.
Figure 13
The LDC Chicago cooling mod kit has many advantages.
Figure 14
Note the sturdy metal welded "T" of the LDC Chicago kit. Also note how welding the "T" onto the outlet fitting tube allows the crossover hose to be much lower than the Apten kit's. This is helpful when bleeding air out of the cooling system.
Figure 15
The LDC custom driver's side outlet fitting keeps the crossover hose low and installs without any bending of the EGR tube.
We would declare the LDC Chicago cooling mod kit the clear winner in this shoot out.
More pics of the LDC Chicago kit:
 Figure 17 We'd put a little bit of sicone gasket sealer on the flange of the two outlets for extra protection against leaks. There's nothing wrong with the O-ring design, it's how the factory did it, but since you have to drop the transmission if there's ever a leak, it's quick and easy insurance. |
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