From: Ken Acton
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 22:52:16 +0100
Subject: [imps] High Efficiency Rads
There seems to be continuing debate over the cooling system on the Imp. I am considering a front rad conversion on my sport as driving down a motorway in 30 degrees with the heater on with vinyl seats, is great fun.
The thing is I have a Clan which I'm not very keen on the idea of cutting holes in it to aid its cooling.
So I have the option of fitting a high efficiency radiator. But which is the most efficient option.
Years ago people raved on about four-row rads, but since then we have seen three row high efficiency rads.
And am I right in believing that I've heard of two row rads? The thing is which is the most efficient option? With a four row I presume that there is more water in a given space for the passing air to cool, but does a three row leave more room for more cool air to pass over it, if you see what i'm getting at.
Also I'm thinking of the idea of fitting an electric fan, not to replace the water pump driven fan, but to supplement it. I'm thinking on the lines of mounting it behind the radiator within the cowling, to drag the air through which is being pushed from the other side. Does anyone see any disadvantages to this arrangement, as in will it affect any areas of pressure which occur in the normal arrangement.
And whilst I think of it, I saw a product advertised in the Demon Tweeks catalogue, made by Redline I think, called water wetter. Its meant to break down the surface tension of water and and allow the water to be cooled by up to 15 degrees less than normal. Is this possible or am I being lured by pseudoscience as if Carol Vorderman was wearing a Lab Coat and performing a convincing demonstration, like the man selling Mer at car shows.
From: Nick
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 18:12:01 EDT
Subject: Re: [imps] High Efficiency Rads
i have a front radiator in my clan , i cut away some of the rubber bonnet sealing strip to let the air out around the edge of the bonnet , i also cut away some of the flat numberplate mounting area to let some air in . together with the scoop effect of the front spoiler it's just enough ...
Cutting the fibreglass is not too bad as you can always restore it back a lot easier than steel imp panels !
A big oil cooler helps reduce temp too by the way ,
Maybe fit the electric fan to a 25 row oil cooler at the rear in place of the water radiator , that's my next move ..( i have no fan at present)
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 00:55:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Edge
Subject: Re: [imps] High Efficiency Rads
Water wetter does work, many racers use it. I am slightly suspicious though. If you pour water over an oily surface it won't wet the surface all over, if however you pour antifreeeze over the same patch of oily floor, heypresto. What I am saying is that at an exhibition the makers of this product will probably perform this test with their water wetter, I would say that a good antifreeze contains this stuff in the first place. I notice a 5 degree drop in temperature if I use pure antifreeze instead of what I used to use (about 30% anitfreeze)