Hi, for those of you who have already done the conversion to a 351w, I have a few questions I hope you can help with. I am guessing around 320-350 hp at the rear wheels. I need to buy a radiator. I have an automatic transmission too. As I have mentioned before we moved the engine back some and changed a few things around. I have plenty of space between the engine and fan. What have you guys that have done this been using for a radiator and are you operating at the same hp range and what altitude. I am in Denver and race at Bandimere at 6000ft. I plan on running additional trans cooler as well, but when I called to ask around at the places the all say that their aluminum radiator runs cooler-- well duh. When I ask if it will cool my engine they have no answer. We figure that the engine will be putting out about 500hp. Maybe lower. Desktop Dyno is not perfect but it is a starting place. Anyway I told them all about my setup and they all get dumb real quick and say well the aluminum cools better. Sure but will it cool mine. I don't want to buy a radiator then have to turn around and get another one. So WHO is able to answer the simple question -- What radiator to use? :confused: I would welcome your suggestions.
radiator Commet-man A friend of mine in California was going thru the same problem with a Camero, and he found the right combination of fins/core size and type of fan to use by going to the web sites of the various manufactures and contacting them via email. They have programs on heat transfer, RPM, and air flow using different size of fans, different pitch fan blades and different number of blades to the fan. By giving them the variables of of your car, engine size and vehicle weight, etc. the radiator manufactors will be able to make suggestions. They will also suggest the proper coolant such as ethylene glycol/versus proplene glycol and the correct concentration to use for proper heat dissipation. The size of the radiator tanks will determine the sizing of the cores and fins due to the volume of coolent circulating in the system. The size and shape of the radiator shroud is also important to ensure proper air flow/suction between the fan and the radiator. The cooling of the system can also be enhance by use of an air dam under the car to direct additional cooling air at the trans cooler. The model of the car also plays a part in the selection process of the radiator, as the areodynamic qualities of the vehicle sometimes enhances the channeling of the air stream to radiator. The type and size of the water pump will also need to be investegated as a high volume pump will also affect the cooling profile of the system. The size of the trans cooler will also have to calculated into the equation. Surface area of the fins and number of liters of fluid being pumped per minute will also determine sizing of the radiator and its normal operating temperature. Be sure to have them calculate the cooling effiecency of the system with the car idling at a standstill without the added airflow benefit of the wind. One last thing, check the ratings for the thermostat and pressure rating for the cap so these won't be the weak point in the system. Good luck Tony
