| Author | Topic |
|---|
Location:
Illawarra
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Radiators - Bigger than standard is this good?
|
Mon, 24 November 2003 16:22
|
 |
If i wanted to upgrade my existing radiator, would getting a bigger one benefit my engine, or would getting a radiator the same specs as the original, but made from better material be a better option.
I know that if you are producing more power than the manufacturer intended then a bigger radiatior is needed, but say the engine is stock.
What is this in difference to an intercooler?
|
|
|
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2003
|
|
Re: Radiators - Bigger than standard is this good?
|
Mon, 24 November 2003 17:11
|
|
Installing a larger radiator has its pros and cons. Obviously the increased coolant capacity and the increased cooling area will keep the engine cooler, but the engine will in turn take longer to reach operating temperature due to the increased thermal mass that must be heated.
The material that the core is constructed of will determine how efficiently the radiator is able to transfer the heat from the coolant to the surrounding air. However radiator core material is generally limited to copper, brass and aluminium.
The more important point to note is the density of the fins on the radiator and the number of tubes. This all works out to how much surface area the coolant is exposed to inside the tubes and the surface area that the air is exposed to on the outside of the radiator. Modern radiators constructed of aluminium generally have a lot more 'effective' surface area for a given radiator size compared to older radiators. Hence these radiators could be considered more efficient for a given size.
In short, if your car is suffering overheating problems than a larger or more efficient radiator maybe necessary. If there are no problems then let sleeping dogs lie. There are no significant performance enhancements achieveable by simply fitting a better radiator.
An intercooler has a similar construction to the engine radiator. There are two basic designs; 'tube and fine' and 'bar and plate'. I wont explain them here. Do a search in Google if you want to learn more. Unlike the engine radiator, fitting a better intercooler has a lot more advantages up to a point where further increases in size produce minimal performance enhancements.
Hope this answers your question.
Tyron.
|
|
|
Location:
NSW, East Coast
Registered:
July 2003
|
|
Re: Radiators - Bigger than standard is this good?
|
Mon, 24 November 2003 23:08
|
|
Quality is heaps better to size.
How many turbo fwd have half sizes radiators to accomodate large turbos and fmic
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Radiators - Bigger than standard is this good?
|
Tue, 25 November 2003 07:01
|
|
|
Having a larger radiator wont make the engine take longer to get to operating temperature!! Remember there is/should be a thermostat that only lets a bit of cool water/coolant through when the engine is at operating temperature!
|
|
|
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2003
|
|
Re: Radiators - Bigger than standard is this good?
|
Tue, 25 November 2003 15:39
|
|
Sorry Cool1, I should have been clearer about that.
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Location:
melbourne.victoria.austra...
Registered:
June 2002
|
|
Re: Radiators - Bigger than standard is this good?
|
Tue, 25 November 2003 19:19
|
|
|
could always run an additional core. my ta22 with the 2T had a 2 core radiator. i put the 4AGE in and had a custom rad made with 3 cores instead. nothing like a bit more cooling capacity.
|
|
|
