Split Front Mounted Radiators

[Presto51]

Video is that it's too short, but......

Very nice work, please keep us updated with you findings

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by Presto51

Video is that it's too short, but......

Very nice work, please keep us updated with you findings

Sorry for that, each time the video has been an after thought so someone ends up chasing the car as its driving away.
I will do a walk around this weekend after I finish adjusting the radiator plumbing a little more to where I am happy with it.

[Fraser D]

Well no leaks and no heating issues after a little spin around the block and a long run in the garage with the hood on and the hatch and glass installed.
Time to start mounting and modifying the hood.
The material for the wheel guards has not arrived yet so that will be next weekend’s task.
First go with the Go-Pro taped to the roof and an unsuspecting father-in-law who did not know that I was recording ;-)
The car is struggling to hook up well with the old set of 295’s on the back and a very rough chassis set up.

GOPR0023.MP4 - YouTube

GOPR0023.MP4 - YouTube

[Presto51]

Alright, Awsome, that's what I'm talking about

You have earned yourself a big piece of Raisin Pie and wash it down with

Keep up the great work

[Linxs]

Sweet! That's awesome!

[Fraser D]

Thanks Guys,
I am feeling like the real technical challenges of this build are coming to an end with lots, (read lots and lots and lots) of hours and effort still left to be put into finishing the project. It was great to be able to stand on it just a little and see that the turbo’s are generating boost at the upper RPM range where I wanted them to.
I think that I am going to need all the motivation that I can get to get through the body mods and prep for paint.
I will finish off the wheel guards and the trunk space on this thread then save the hood modifications until I have them completed.

[carbon fiber]

lookin' good! body work's not fun, but yields great rewards. stay motivated!

[VD2021]

Very impressive Dave. I always enjoy seeing the "not possible" come to fruition on the GTM builds. It's even more impressive when its done in one's home garage. Great stuff. Keep the updates coming.

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by VD2021

Very impressive Dave. I always enjoy seeing the "not possible" come to fruition on the GTM builds. It's even more impressive when its done in one's home garage. Great stuff. Keep the updates coming.

Thanks Vidal, It can get a little cramped in there.
I should have the tire guards, AC condensers and fans mounted this weekend with a photo update to follow.

[Fraser D]

Two weeks ago I found a couple of spare hours to get the AC condensers mounted but not plumbed up.
I need to find some fittings compatible with the Honda Civic DelSol condensers and make some hoses.
The lower driver’s side radiator outlet needs to be moved inboard as it rubs on the hood.
I think that I will try the stainless steel mesh as the tire guards as I was not happy with the aluminum honeycomb that I picked up.
Mesh spec from McMaster Carr
9253T482
Extra-Rigid Type 304 Stainless Steel Woven Wire Cloth, 1/4" Opening Size, .063" Diameter, 24" X 48" Sheet

There is still lots of work to do with securing the tubing and bracing and detailing the mounting frame.

[kabacj]

Dave,

What about using louvers. The benefit is the louvers would block 100% of the grit from getting thrown into the back of the rad, but you would still allow very good flow out of the slats.

I would think you could just mock up some quick and dirty examples from strips of aluminum then when you find the optimal shape and flow either make a nice set, or have somebody like Shane cut them for you.

Just an idea.

John

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by kabacj

Dave,

What about using louvers. The benefit is the louvers would block 100% of the grit from getting thrown into the back of the rad, but you would still allow very good flow out of the slats.

I would think you could just mock up some quick and dirty examples from strips of aluminum then when you find the optimal shape and flow either make a nice set, or have somebody like Shane cut them for you.

Just an idea.

John

John,

Louvers are my preference and I mocked up a couple of different ideas, (which failed in both the airflow and looks department) but you just made me realise another way which is profile cutting a sheet and bending out the slats. I will give that some more thougt and talk to a friend with a plasma table. Thanks.

[JCHRacer]

Originally Posted by Fraser D

John,

Louvers are my preference and I mocked up a couple of different ideas, (which failed in both the airflow and looks department) but you just made me realise another way which is profile cutting a sheet and bending out the slats. I will give that some more thougt and talk to a friend with a plasma table. Thanks.

Great work! I am interested to see how this works out for you....I like the concept.

If you have an old timer hot rod shop close by, you may want to see if they have a louver punch. If so you could lay out whatever patern you need and they could custom punch an aluminum sheet in short order.

[mendo]

Originally Posted by JCHRacer

Great work! I am interested to see how this works out for you....I like the concept.

If you have an old timer hot rod shop close by, you may want to see if they have a louver punch. If so you could lay out whatever patern you need and they could custom punch an aluminum sheet in short order.

if you draw it, Shane can cut it.

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by JCHRacer

Great work! I am interested to see how this works out for you....I like the concept.

If you have an old timer hot rod shop close by, you may want to see if they have a louver punch. If so you could lay out whatever patern you need and they could custom punch an aluminum sheet in short order.

I need a little advice in regards to air flow.
With the original stock 2000 C5 Corvette radiator I was able to get the water temp up as far as 220deg F without the hood on in my garage running with Peak glycol pre mix without much effort.
The two 3 row units with the same combined frontal area as the original radiator running distilled water and redline water wetter I can’t get above 205deg F with the hood on trying to bake it. Had to reset the fan on/off software temps just to test the new fans to see if they even worked. I have not been able to drive the car hard to see how it handles real HP generated heat yet.
So my question is how concerned should I be with flow restriction out the back of the radiator? If I use a louver punch, (very strong profile) it looks like I will lose between 40-50% airflow.
With a profile cut and bent louver sheet I will lose around 20-30% airflow.
By trying to keep the air flow restriction less than 20% am I being too fussy?
Air intake will be fully sealed and ducted.

[joncro55]

Originally Posted by Fraser D

Two weeks ago I found a couple of spare hours to get the AC condensers mounted but not plumbed up.
I need to find some fittings compatible with the Honda Civic DelSol condensers and make some hoses.
The lower driver’s side radiator outlet needs to be moved inboard as it rubs on the hood.
I think that I will try the stainless steel mesh as the tire guards as I was not happy with the aluminum honeycomb that I picked up.
Mesh spec from McMaster Carr
9253T482
Extra-Rigid Type 304 Stainless Steel Woven Wire Cloth, 1/4" Opening Size, .063" Diameter, 24" X 48" Sheet

There is still lots of work to do with securing the tubing and bracing and detailing the mounting frame.

I would watch out for Mcmaster Carr on pricing - they don't actually make this stuff, just buyers and sellers of this material - a few other places I might look for the wire cloth and wire mesh material might be ----

Custom Wire Cloth - Belleville Wire Cloth Co - Cedar Grove, NJ - Great selection in stock, 2 warehouses and competitive price

Grainger Industrial Supply - MRO Supplies, MRO Equipment, Tools & Solutions - sometimes the price here can be a little bit better than Mcmaster Carr

Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more - search for hardware cloth and check pricing.

[beeman]

Beautiful setup, I love it!!
What do i see taped on your roof? Targa? Sunroof?
BTW, I see you are making the light beer rounds...which one is the best for low back pain after riveting panels in a stooped over position for 3 hours?

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by joncro55

I would watch out for Mcmaster Carr on pricing - they don't actually make this stuff, just buyers and sellers of this material - a few other places I might look for the wire cloth and wire mesh material might be ----

Custom Wire Cloth - Belleville Wire Cloth Co - Cedar Grove, NJ - Great selection in stock, 2 warehouses and competitive price

Grainger Industrial Supply - MRO Supplies, MRO Equipment, Tools & Solutions - sometimes the price here can be a little bit better than Mcmaster Carr

Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more - search for hardware cloth and check pricing.

Very valid point!
In this case I was already purchasing some items and McMaster had exactly what I wanted so with freight it was basically a wash.

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by beeman

Beautiful setup, I love it!!
What do i see taped on your roof? Targa? Sunroof?
BTW, I see you are making the light beer rounds...which one is the best for low back pain after riveting panels in a stooped over position for 3 hours?

On a Houston summers day liquid refreshments all work just as well as each other as long as they meet two very strict requirements;
1- the contents of the can is cold
2- the contents of the can is beer
That is until it’s time for a Crown.
While I do love a beer I am actually saving the boxs for templates as the cardboard works a treat!
No Targa just the GoPro mount duct taped on the roof from my last video
Oh and thanks for the props.

[beeman]

As far as A/C condensors..
Do you feel like you need 2?
Have you thought about mounting the condensor anywhere besides radiator-mounted (engine bay, side scoop, etc)? Do you think radiator-mounted condensors may hurt your cooling (you are going high-HP, right)? I just wondered if you had thought outside-the-box for the condensor..

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by beeman

As far as A/C condensors..
Do you feel like you need 2?
Have you thought about mounting the condensor anywhere besides radiator-mounted (engine bay, side scoop, etc)? Do you think radiator-mounted condensors may hurt your cooling (you are going high-HP, right)? I just wondered if you had thought outside-the-box for the condensor..

To be totally honest the thought process did not get past wanting to keep the same condenser frontal area as GM had in the C5. The logical place at the time was straight in front of the radiators and it did not even enter my mind to look elsewhere.
As for the restriction the condensers will have on airflow I don’t know what effect that will have yet as the hood is basically closed off except for the bottom, (road) until I make my radiator openings and ducting.
With the condensers and fans mounted I really struggled to get any decent running temp into the engine on a 96deg day, (and that was trying to bake it). I am not seeing the engine temps that I expected to see yet, with moderate driving getting up on the waste gates regularly which are set to around 5½psi along with lots of running in the garage.
The engine long motor is a stock LS1 with plans to pull, freshen and cam up during the painting and detailing phase of my build. My trans is basically a stock G50-20 so as long as I have that my upper HP limit will not be too crazy.

[Fraser D]

I have made a bit of a step back from my original design layout.
Spoke to a friend who is all about air movement and he pointed out a fundamental flaw with my original layout.
It is called roping.
In a nut shell I was loosing approximately 1/3rd of the radiator area due to the boundary layer of air created by the tire's rotation.
That boundary layer in theory would push air back through the radiator effectively stalling air flow through that portion of the radiator.
This set up may just work but I am not willing to take the risk with the changes that need to take place with the body,
I had originally avoided cutting up the chassis to install a different profile cooling system but now all bets are off.
I will be installing a pair of AFCO Racing Scirocco-Style Drag Racing Radiators 80107N set at an angle.
The original set up will work for a lower HP setup but mine will be 550-750hp
More photos to follow as I mount the radiators,
Hopefully this will be the reliable solution.

[Fraser D]

Rev 2 Mounting completed. I have to break out the TIG to finish up the radiators then plumb them in. Still finalizing the fans and AC condensers.
I like these way better. A lot more work but......
There is a heap more photos in my photo bucket link below.

[ruff ryder 6]

I will have to agree that I am also liking this setup way better. Keep up the good work

[mendo]

if you run some kind of inner fender liner to direct the flow past the tire and out the vents on top of the fender, how about out the space just in front of the door too.

[CRAZYBOBDS]

Hey. Just wondering why u were doing the split radiators? It's cool but is there some goal? Storage, or room for something up front? Just curious. Thanks!!! Bob


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by CRAZYBOBDS

Hey. Just wondering why u were doing the split radiators? It's cool but is there some goal? Storage, or room for something up front? Just curious. Thanks!!! Bob


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

I am doing this for a few reasons actually but mainly for the storage space and I did not like the look of the front of the hood.

[Fraser D]

Originally Posted by mendo

if you run some kind of inner fender liner to direct the flow past the tire and out the vents on top of the fender, how about out the space just in front of the door too.

Now that there is a lot more space between the tire and the radiator that is something that I am thinking about. one big plus is that it will seal off the wheel well from the vent and stop dirt thrown up from the tire from covering the hood and windshield.
I am not sure if i can manage enough air flow though such a system, need to think a bit more about that one.

[Fraser D]

Radiators plumbed up and leak tested OK.
I used the material from the original set of radiators but later on I will replace the tubing assembly with single piece mandrel bent items.
Fans on order and I will enclose everything with aluminum sheet once I am happy that everything is running Ok.
AC condenser will be mounted in a novel place with photos to follow once I sort it all out.
I should have the hood mounting completed this Sunday.

[Demthios]

That's just some nice work there, liking this design better then the first go at it. Wanna see how you are going to do the hood now, have an idea with what you've said in previous threads just wanna see how you implement it.