radiator core efficiency ?

[stevieturbo]

As I'm needing a new radiator...a query on design.

I currently use a 3 tube design like this ( Image kindly borrowed from Pace's site )
In general it does work great under almost all circumstances, so quite happy to get a new one made the same.



But given the same frontal rectangle area available, would an alternative core cool better ? Would a thinner single or double row core hold the same amount of water, but cool either better, the same , or worse ?
Or it might even hold more water ?



Much thinner, but internal fins would assist cooling ?



Thinner overall, but may hold more water ?



Pace's list of cores.

http://www.paceproducts.co.uk/public_html/php/prod...

[phumy]

I think surface area of the "tubes" is what will give you your answer, however cost of manufacture and strength might have to be taken into consideration. I would imagine that available space has a lot to do with the design you finally choose.

[stevieturbo]

Looking at the screen, my current 3 tube actually looks as if it has less coolant path area than the large single row.

But which will cool better ? Thinner cores are generally more efficient which makes the thinner core almost seem better in this case.

[PaulKemp]

More tubes, more surface area, more cooling.
Smaller amount of water in multiple cores which have larger exposed surface area will cool the coolant more

[chuntington101]

Speak to Pace and see what they recomend. If you can confirm the BTUs you need to get rid of and the area you have avalaible they should be able to advise.

From my understanding the thinner the ore the better as its easier to get the cooling air through the core. Also you have to think about the intercooler sat in front of the Rad.

Chris.

[stevieturbo]

I'm beginning to think radiator cores are being made from gold dust these days with the quotes Ive been getting for a new unit.

It has been 6 years, but so far the cheapest quote is double what I paid back then !!!

[PaulKemp]

Alloy more efficient and expensive than steel.
I paid £160 for a twin row 42 core Escort one for my 7 from Boston radiators
Alloy group 4 rads come out at £250
Space always an issue, ducting the air through helps
You can run multiple radiators, mor complex plumbing plus venting the hot air out of the engine bay also helps drop the coolant temp

[stevieturbo]

Dont imagine there would ever be a steel radiator...except in a house.

I'm getting quotes around the £600 mark ! The current one cost a little over £300, although I'm asking for a couple of extras to be welded on this time
£30 worth at most.

I can appreciate things do get more expensive, but this is a lot. And I cant get hold of the guy who made my original one.

[chuntington101]

Might be a daft idea but have you had a wonder around a breakers for oother OEM rads that might fit? Thinking somehting like a scooby or EVO rad as they are used in high BHP cars? How about a truck core cut down?

If thats a none starter, how about buying the core alone and getting a local firm to weld it up?

[eliot]

When I was designing my chargecooler I used the above named supplier as you steve. And whilst they were fine at making the cores, they didnt seem to have any idea on what the best configuration of tubes was for any given requirement and my questions were identical to yours.
Im sure there's someone quite experienced on the subject lurking on here - maybe it was max_torque

As for fabrication, the are easy to weld up - get yourself some ns4 ally sheet, form the tanks and weld them on.

[stevieturbo]

eliot said:

As for fabrication, the are easy to weld up - get yourself some ns4 ally sheet, form the tanks and weld them on.

You havent seen my welding lol.