43 replies to this topic

[Earwax]

Hi, In Australia (some? most?)radiators were manufactured using 16 cooling fins per inch - i think some of the english and aftermarket ones only have 8 fins per inch. (maybe i am wrong on this) so 2,3,or 4 core same makeup - but the air/radiator cooling surface area is twice as much

- a number of people use the new alloy radiators without issues but i recored my old 3 core 16 fin one for my new build.


so count your fins how many per 25mm or 1 inch?

[MRA]

Although not important for this topic..... 1" = 25.4mm

Have you guys ever tried the "hot climate" fan ? this is a 6 blade metal fan, now remade by Heritage and avialable from MSC etc....

[daenesh]

im in malaysia.. temperature during the day can reach up to 35 degrees celcius.. thats maximum in the city.. but normally its about 33-34 degrees celcius.. i have fellow friends here who have AC units and aren't experiencing as bad temperature as mine and their engines are old and clogged...hahaha.. anyways today i pushed the radiator closer to the yellow fan but no difference sadly so i've decided to change the radiator to my spare 2 and a half core rad just to see if its the radiator thats crap.. i currently have a 3 core rad and was told that 2 and a half core radiators are better? any truth to that?

[daenesh]

you guys have been very patient with me and i really really appreciate it.. i know about the 6 blade fan which is for hot climate but im not sure if we have it here... also in regards to the fins im not too sure but yes that can make a whole lot of difference to how fast it cools down.. will check on that and get back with an update as soon as i can..

[Earwax]

In response also to mra re hot weather fans

yes the 4 and 6 blade metal fans push good amounts of air (better than the 11 blade plastic), but they sound like windmills on steroids - and there is a cost factor - if you couldn't get temp under control with 'standard' these would be the way to go - the other thing is noise - not too many people can have an easy conversation in a mini at highway speeds but i like the noise from the motor to sound like a mini not a helicopter if i have a choice - but they ( the 6 blade fans) do a good job

[daenesh]

heres some updates.. i found my old 2 and a half core rad and compared the fins to my current 3 core rad.. heres some pics.. a lot of difference



this is my current radiator the 3 core one



this is the old original 2 and a half core.. the fins are totally different.. one is the old style and one is the new type..

im going to try the 2 and a half core and see if its any better than my current one.. fingers crossed.. but if it isnt then i guess as a final result of being not able to find the cause of the problem i might have to save up for an aluminum radiator.. a standard stage one engine on aluminum rad...lol

[Earwax]

Hi daenish. i am betting that the old radiator will run cooler - those fins look nice and dense to me (hopefully the squashed ones aren't too bad) but the honeycomb style of your new one does make it hard to compare

[daenesh]

Yeah I agree with you observation mate and I have fitted the old radiator and hopefully I'll see some difference tomorrow in the temperature when I take it for a test drive.. Wish me luck.. Will keep you guys updated

[daenesh]

hey guys thanks for waiting.. so it was raining really heavy this afternoon so had no choice but to test the car at night.. temperature outside currently is 27 degrees celcius.. so took it out to the highway with air cond off and blasted it for about 5 kms at 100- 120km/h which is about 60-75 mph... then exited the highway and immediately switched the AC on speed 2 so compressor was on continuously for about 5 minutes i was driving bout 60-70kms and then stopped at the side of the road for another 5 minutes to simulate a jam situation and then drove back home.. below i have the temperature readings from the head and from the bottom of the radiator..



this is the temp from the head/block



this is from the bottom of the radiator after it has cooled..

im not too sure if this is good but its slightly better than the old radiator.. next up i have to do the test when its the hottest in the afternoon to see if the temperature holds..

[MRA]

it looks ok, however as you say it has to be tested in the heat of the day.

[daenesh]

yeah i hope to do that tomorrow.. if it doesnt rain *cross fingers*

[MRA]

Oh how I wish it would rain.... and wash away the snow

Just respond on here when you find out how well it works.

[daenesh]

hahaha yeah will do..

[daenesh]

Okay i have good news guys.. i took the car out for a drive with the air cond on speed 2 and temperature outside bout 33 degrees celcius and got these temperature readings..



this is head temp



radiator temp..

i think its good.. well good enough i suppose.. would like to thank everyone who helped and thanks for being patient i really appreciate it.. also hope that through this topic, people from hotter climates can use this as a guide to troubleshoot their problems.. wish i was in the uk would take you guys out for some steaks and beers :) cheers