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Help Choosing Alloy Radiator. Pros/cons

robots

By robots,
in Engines & Forced Induction

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robots Experienced

robots

Posted
Posted

Hi!

I was offered a nice 3row 52mm alloy radiator for a good price.

And wanted to know if there are any real life benefits vs running a more common 2row.

Anyone running 3row one on their r32s/a31/s13 ? How well does it work with the clutch fan ?

Thanks!

salival Enthusiast

salival

Posted
Posted
Hi!

I was offered a nice 3row 52mm alloy radiator for a good price.

And wanted to know if there are any real life benefits vs running a more common 2row.

Anyone running 3row one on their r32s/a31/s13 ? How well does it work with the clutch fan ?

Thanks!

Hi Robots,

I actually build alloy radiators for a living, here's my thoughts.

I like big tubes, The wider the tube the more fin contact and the more heat gets pulled out/dissapated I would rather go with 2x27mm tubes over say 3x19mm tubes.

I dont like 3 row cores, All our cores are 2 row 57 thick, Which is 2 tubes at 27mm thick.

Our radiators will NOT work with the standard clutch fan, though, It's just too thick. I think a 42mm would be best for a street driven car that gets a bootfull every now and then.

Thanks,

Scott

Gav Mentor

Gav

Posted
Posted

Remember that a radiator needs air to flow through it to work properly. The factory shroud and clutch fan is a very effective setup and sucking air through the radiator.

There is a lot of work to ensure good flow of air if the shroud is not used. I would recommend staying with a good quality 40mm radiator which enables you to retain the factory shroud and clutch.

Adriano Grand Master

Adriano

Posted
Posted
Hi Robots,

I actually build alloy radiators for a living, here's my thoughts.

I like big tubes, The wider the tube the more fin contact and the more heat gets pulled out/dissapated I would rather go with 2x27mm tubes over say 3x19mm tubes.

I dont like 3 row cores, All our cores are 2 row 57 thick, Which is 2 tubes at 27mm thick.

Our radiators will NOT work with the standard clutch fan, though, It's just too thick. I think a 42mm would be best for a street driven car that gets a bootfull every now and then.

Thanks,

Scott

If your radiators dont work with standard fans, then waht do you use that works?

gotRICE? Veteran

gotRICE?

Posted
Posted
If your radiators dont work with standard fans, then waht do you use that works?

At a guess, thats up to the individual, he just builds the radiator :P

I have heard from a few people that have gone to AM radiators with electric fans that they have had overheating issues. That clutch fan and shroud is dam efficient! Takes forever to get to operating temp when bleeding the system. Ha.

daisu Mentor

daisu

Posted
Posted

Like was stated, for street driven/occasional track use the thinner core (which fits standard shroud) is good.

The larger core would probably be aimed at higher output engines, in which case they are probably using high quality thermofans and shrouds to suit, (not like some people I know who bought 2 fans from supercheap and cable tied them to his radiator).

Thermofans can work well when they are setup correctly with decent gear. For what it's worth, the EL-AU falcon thermo fan setup is a decent setup which can be sourced relatively cheap both brand new and 2nd hand.

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