Optimal Mounting Angle for Radiator?
08-09-06, 11:59 AM
#1
Optimal Mounting Angle for Radiator?
After the unfortunate loss of my radiator last week (https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...light=radiator) my replacement is due arrive any day now. In preparing for the installation I am considering whether the current mounting angle is optimum. I am running a large FMIC with A/C. At the extremes there are two possibilities:
1) 90deg, Vertical mount. This would seem to give the best air flow since the air doesn't change direction as it leaves the FMIC. However, the air exiting the radiator experiences more resistance since it discharges directly into the engine rather than over it as in the stock mount case.
2) ~30deg, Stock Mount. This case would seem to have worse airflow compared to the 90deg case since the air from the FMIC must change direction when entering the radiator. The benefit is less resistance for exiting air.
Which option is best? It seems the answer would be determined by which resistance is greater: air entering at 30degrees or exiting air blocked by engine.
Has anyone done any tests comparing different mounting angles for the radiator? There are a few other things to consider such as spacing from the engine and A/C coil, but this seems to be the most important issue. I have attached a picture to illustrate the idea.
1) 90deg, Vertical mount. This would seem to give the best air flow since the air doesn't change direction as it leaves the FMIC. However, the air exiting the radiator experiences more resistance since it discharges directly into the engine rather than over it as in the stock mount case.
2) ~30deg, Stock Mount. This case would seem to have worse airflow compared to the 90deg case since the air from the FMIC must change direction when entering the radiator. The benefit is less resistance for exiting air.
Which option is best? It seems the answer would be determined by which resistance is greater: air entering at 30degrees or exiting air blocked by engine.
Has anyone done any tests comparing different mounting angles for the radiator? There are a few other things to consider such as spacing from the engine and A/C coil, but this seems to be the most important issue. I have attached a picture to illustrate the idea.
08-09-06, 12:58 PM
#2
IMO, the real problem is getting air out of the engine compartment.
There is a lot of clutter in there, and anything you do to reduce the pressure in the engine bay; e.g., reduce the impeadance of the airflow OUT of the bay will produce the best results. There is still plenty of pressure in front of the radiator and not enough velocity for the 30deg change in angle to really matter, so I would stick with the slant since it does help engine bay volume. If you haven't already done so, remove the stock battery and tray to a remote location as this really seems to help air move around the engine and improves A/C performance.
There is a lot of clutter in there, and anything you do to reduce the pressure in the engine bay; e.g., reduce the impeadance of the airflow OUT of the bay will produce the best results. There is still plenty of pressure in front of the radiator and not enough velocity for the 30deg change in angle to really matter, so I would stick with the slant since it does help engine bay volume. If you haven't already done so, remove the stock battery and tray to a remote location as this really seems to help air move around the engine and improves A/C performance.
08-10-06, 11:21 AM
#3
Originally Posted by Speed of light
IMO, the real problem is getting air out of the engine compartment.
Originally Posted by Speed of light
If you haven't already done so, remove the stock battery and tray to a remote location as this really seems to help air move around the engine and improves A/C performance.
