Aluminum radiator

EricBay69 · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:46 am Post subject: Aluminum radiator

Hey, this is my first post. awesome web site by the way, pretty much exactly what ive been looking for. Unfortunately you guys are half a world away. I was curious, it looks like most of the radiators used are stock automotive radiators. I was kind of shocked when i actually examined the 93 Legacy radiator. It's about 1/2" thick and probably holds about a pint of antifreeze. Ive acquired a pretty nice Griffin brand aluminum radiator. Its 3" thick and is rated up to 500hp. I was thinking about using a rear mount radiator. Ive seen some deck lids (probably on here) with some pretty clean mesh/hole type sheet metal blended in. It seems that this would be adequate. It just seems maybe too unrealistic to have your radiator inches from the ground. Anyone have any input?

Here is the exact radiator i got...but MUCH cheaper.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRI-1-25182-X/#

Thanks guys!

ElusiveStranger · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject: Re: Aluminum radiator

Welcome fella Happy

EricBay69 · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:55 am Post subject:

just curious, why would the fan constantly being on be a problem? just the amperage draw? or fan motor longevity maybe?

Bigbadbugga · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:17 am Post subject:

ElusiveStranger · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject:

richbaker78 · Teacher of Padawans Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 1298

welcome....
since you live in california (im jealous!) i would certainly be looking for a very efficient cooling system....and whilst a rear mount one might be adequate it might struggle in your summer climate.

Cooling fans should really only provide you with extra capacity....if they are already on in normal driving conditions you need to think what youll be doing when stuck in traffic etc. most are also not designed for continous use which i would suspect you will end up using them for.

i would have a look at what the guys on aussie Veedubbers are doing as many of them live in a comparable climate to yours...i think youll find few (if any) are running rear mount rads - and favour a system like Elusive strangers on here.

hansend23 · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject:

i have a pretty big rad.here in the summer the fan never came on.the day i left for burningman i tried towing the trailer around town and the heat went up right away.the exrta load made it climb in temp.and the ecu fan came on for the first time.the the limo bugs weight is 2500lbs,same as a splitty.the trailer was 1000lbs.maybe this will help gage it some.
_________________
just do it!

EricBay69 · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:05 am Post subject:

hey guys, thanks for all the advice. First off i should say i work for a heavy equipment/ag diesel shop here in central california. That being said the sheer amount of useable items i find in the metal scrap container (imagine a train car with the top cut off filled with all kinds of great stuff) is awesome. Anyways, the bigger dozers use multiple core radiators. Imagine probably 6 or 7 vertical cores placed next to each other. These cores are probably 5x6 inches widexdeep and about 4 feet long. and the good thing about them is that they have inlet/outlet on the same end. So i figure these would give massive cooling if i did one or even 2 looped. and the dimensions would fit great under the bus. AND since it dumps/inlets out the back that means no BS dealing with 90 degree bends in hoses and really short coolant tubes which i also found a good deal of really quality hydraulic piping. Anyways, the gears are churning up in the ol' noodle which is good. so i figure more radiator is better... plus i get 5 gallon buckets of awesome premix coolant practically free. ill upload a pic of the radiator cores maybe if i can get em.

hansend23 · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:01 am Post subject:

my system holds 4 gall.its fine in summer but now that its cold the heat takes about 6 miles for the heat to work good.but my matrix is about 12-14 feet both directions.looking to do a rear matrix.
_________________
just do it!