Anyone do this swap and have comments on the resulting cooling efficiency?

Given a certain coolent flow, air flow, and radiator size, it shouldn't matter what you do with the coolant as long as it goes through the radiator. Running it through twice means it's exposed to cooling air over twice the distance, but since it's traveling twice as fast, I'm not sure it makes a difference. Then again, in a single pass setup, the coolent might go down just a few of the tubes instead of spreading out evenly. A dual-pass setup in this case should improve things.

Anyone try it?

 

A two core rad will definitely cool better than a single core rad. I have had a two core in my ITC CRX for several years. Also gives some reserve cooling tubes in case you spring a small leak and need to pinch a couple off.

Not sure what you mean about coolant moving twice as fast??

 

I agree, but I meant dual-pass radiators, where the coolant travels through the tubes twice, or even three times.

 

Some Volkswagens are dual pass and the owner says its better than most aftermarket upgrades. Im talking about the original radiator.


Edo

 

The coolant does not travel twice as fast. Indeed, since there's more resistance, it'll flow a tad bit slower. And you'll have more fluid capacity.

You can certainly expect better cooling performance, but it's not anywhere near twice as good. In fact, you could probably expect an increase in heat rejection far less than 50%, really something more like 30-40% at best.

Are you positive it is the radiator? If it's anything to do with airflow (too small inlet, inlet not properly exposed to airflow, poor ducting/shrouding, etc) then it won't help you much.

 

You are right about the airflow, that's also on th list to deal with, the exhaust ducting for sure...

 

I don't understand the question?

Are you asking if a dual-pass radiator cools better than a single pass?

I have A TON of experience with racing cooling systems and will gladly help out but need to clarify the questions first.

COOL?

 

Yes. My question is if I take a single-pass radiator and modify it to be a dual or triple-pass, what is the effect on cooling capacity/efficiency.

 

OK...well 1st off I'd like to know how you planned on making your system a 2 pass system?

The design of a custom aluminum 2-pass radiator is made by welding in a baffle half way thru the radiator core splitting the tank in two separate chambers. One chamber houses the INLET from the motor & after the baffle but on the same side tank the OUTLET to the motor is welded on. The separate chambers allows the water flow to make one complete pass thru the core then another complete pass before exiting. Creating a 2-pass effect.

In theory & testing the 2-pass system does show an increase in efficiency because the water exiting a 2-pass system is cooler than the exiting temp of water thru a traditional single pass system. The capacity in all reality is the exact same.

Does that make since?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by R.S.AKIMOTO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OK...well 1st off I'd like to know how you planned on making your system a 2 pass system?
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If I use my existing radiator I'd go for a 3-pass set up. I'd put one divider 1/3 the way up one side tank, and a second divider 1/3 way down the other tank. This setup allows having the inlet and outlet on opposite sides. Hope that's clear.

 

That should work but I would not do more than a 2 pass set-up. In testing with Nascar we found that the restriction the third pass crated out weighted the benefit in efficiency.



Either way...good luck.

Also, just an FYI...I have a **** TON of SAMCO universal silicone cooling system kits that you might be interested in...they retailed for over $100 bucks and I'd be happy to get $25 a kit. Let me know if one of these kits would come in handy.

Thanks again!

 

Sorry...the kit includes 1.25" & 1.5" diameter pieces.