Airflow around intercooler to radiator...

750hp · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 07:16 AM

I'd like a little more air to get to my radiator. As is, I have a 4.5" thick intercooler blocking the way. Would there be any cooling benefits by using scoop to duct air around the intercooler tanks and into the lower half of the radiator (like my sexy arrows show

) ?

I'm concerned that only the top half is getting spilled air over the top of the radiator, and that there's just a mess of disturbed, still air not getting through the lower half.

750hp · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 07:20 AM

750hp · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 07:22 AM

The radiator and intercooler nearly touch at the base, so there's very little room between them in the lower 12". Would fresh air ducted into the lower front half of the radiator just stop any airflow that otherwise would have come through the intercooler?

wilf leek · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 09:46 AM

On a purely empirical (read guess) basis, I would think that, so long as you have panelled in around the rad, so that ALL air coming in through the nose opening has to pass through it, you won't gain any extra airflow doing as you suggest.

You may get some cooler air direct to the rad, but only at the expense of airflow through the intercooler.

Mind you, what do I know? I am only a rugby fan (now).

Rick Parker · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 10:13 AM

Your cooling will be more efficient if you are pulling air from behind the radiator instead of trying to push it through from the front. If you already are using puller fans then there would be no further benefit. Just a thought.

Rick

badrich · #6 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 06:12 PM

When I installed my Shelby motor I had problems overheating when the car got caught in traffic. I had a custom, closely fit radiator shroud built between the radiator and 16" puller fan. Your application is more complicated than mine, but the principle is the same. Good luck. Rich

cobrashoch · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 06:52 PM

Craig - With a liquid to air settup the guys at Vortec was addiment that the right way to handle a aftercooler in my case was come straight off the outlet of the radiator. It then becomes a radiator sizing problem. Seems they think that the back radiator, such as in your settup, will act as a air dam for the front radiator, creating a high pressure area behind the front radiator. And no amount of shrouding tricks etc. will alieve this. Unless of course you move the front after/inner cooler radiator to somewhere else, as most exotic midship cars have done.
With a liquid to air setup you will have to run a slightly larger surge tank to the inlet of the radiator to take the flow from the hot side of the innercooler. The results are lighter because you are using less stuff, work better and trust me, water coming off your radiator will work, quite well as a matter of fact.
And for heavens sake switch over your fans to a puller setup, complete with proper shrouding. Use a Spal fan setup, all the rest are junk in my opinion, though I don't know what's in Aussie land.
I was meaning to talk to you about this (about loosing all the hardware) a year back, but sorta forgot about it though. I know that is a air to air setup you are using, but the front cooler is in the same quandry I mentioned above. Maybe a switchover to a liquid to air setup is the right thing to do. The aftercooler I just recieved is about 2 foot (american) long, 14inches wide and 8 inches thick, with 1 inch water inlet holes. Weighs about 7 lbs U.S., cost me 1400$ U.S. and is coated with the same stuff that Vortec/Paxton pressure boxes are coated with. (chrome like) I plan on installing it just in front of the engine turning the supercharger outlet straight down directly into it. If you go this way you will have to loose all of that pretty tubing and that radiator block of whatever in the front of your car. I think you know this, but a liquid to air setup is MUCH more efficient. Laws of physics and all that.
The ricer guys I've seen around here, get around this problem of liquid to air setups by moving the front radiator/s to the side or above/below the radiator, sometimes using even 3 small radiators. All of the factory stuff I've seen is a joke though, for a mad dog hot rodder that is. Till later,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Wilf - sorta know what you mean. GO COLTS!!!!!!

cobrashock

750hp · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2004, 03:32 AM

Wilf - I thought you guys might have forgotten by now.....

Guys, I know only too well that I should have my fans as puller fans, but I've run out of room. The front crossmember is only a couple of inches away from the radiator, the accusump is nearly touching it, the steering rack is right on it, etc, etc

Thanks for the suggestions.

wilf leek · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2004, 06:50 AM

Craig - did you finally overcome the blower drive belt problems you were having?

cobrashoch · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2004, 11:12 AM

If you do away with that front exchanger you could move the radiator forward, and that will give you the room you will need for the rear fans. It will also free up the restriction in front of the radiator and help cooling. And you might even have enough room for a oil cooler if you want one. (not endorsed by cobrashock) BTW- nice location for your popoff. In the market for a good adjustible unit right now. Ta,Ta!!!!

Morris · #11 (**permalink**) 01-21-2004, 04:08 PM

750

On the Race cars we use to lay a cooler flat so that the air would pack into the opening and have 2 ways to get out.... one through the radiator or one through the oil coolers laying flat in front of the radiator..... It may work if you were to put some fans under the cooler as well if it is laying flat.....

At least you would have clean air going to both the intercooler and the radiator.....or you could pull it if you were going slow...

Just some thoughts....

But those were race cars...... ???? at speed all of the time....

Morris · #12 (**permalink**) 01-21-2004, 04:16 PM

Or ......

Put the Intercooler where the radiator is and lay the radiator down and allow the air to go out the flat bottom of the shroud....

BTW it worked well ....our radiator was only maybe 12" high.... we cut a Harrison radiator in half and made it short and long and used it on both sides of the shroud....

There's a huge amount of air that comes in at that point.

mattr762 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-22-2004, 09:16 AM

I know it might now be big enough but... what about adding a scoop similar the the Austin Healy?

OZVENOM · #14 (**permalink**) 01-25-2004, 04:19 AM

Hi Craig i was thinking about your probs as i do and think maybe an alloy slitter like the one on my cobra might help as you would increase the amount of air going direct t o the top part of the radiator. it helps with mine and does not affect the intercooler efficancy. see attached pic , not that you will need it i guess you will want it done when i get back from the U.S.
REgards scott.