hey guys, i'm gonna upgrade the radiator, (big woop) I would like a fluidyne, BUT here's my question, i know the stock and all aftermarket rads i've seen have a drop on the upper end-tank bo make room for factory i/c ducts, i'm wondering if there's a radiator without it? or raised a bit? reason i want this is b/c i feel that drop reduces flow out of the upper end tank, and since i'm using a big a/m smic, i don't need that drop off so much. i'm making a sheet metal duct to go accross atop the WHOLE rad with a sealing structure to allow more airflow to the SMIC.


if anyone know any radiators like this... or would i ahve to go to a rad stop and get it cut and redone? Thanks!


Los

 

That "drop" only affects water flow, which is not a particularly critical factor in cooling in the FD radiators. The metal-to-air heat transfer is the hardest thing to improve.

 

wouldn't increasing water flow with the increase heat dissapation from a (i.e. Fluidyne) give the rad alot more efficiency?


Los

 

Not so you could measure, probably.

Seriously, did you ever have a car (or other device) that tried to modulate heater output by regulating water flow? It seemed to me that these heater-control water-flow regulators were more like on/off switches. That's why air flow dampers are usually used to regulate car heaters.

The same principles apply to the radiator - small changes in water flow (other than near almost complete shut-off) have little effect. That's why thermostats open so slowly to a pretty small maximum flow area, so they can regulate the temperature without excessive hot-cold variations.

 

i guess that makes sense. then i guess i'll just have to add a curve to my ducting for the lower part then =-) thanks for the input on that!


Los