We all know that alloy radiators look nice, however I'm thinking I might go for a normal one as i've been told that over a period of 2 years
alloy radiators loose 25% of their cooling ability due to internal corrosion/furring up. this is why race teams only use them for a season.
I need a mk2 escort radiator for my build a radtec one is about £250.
I've found a company that will make me a copper cored one for £110, triple cored
so 3 cores of 41 rows, a normal mk2 escort has 1 core of 27
rows.
Does this seem like a good price? what would you go for? I'm thinking locost!
think locost, polo radiator, £35 brand new.
why does it have to be a mk2 escort one?
Fittings on the chassis are there etc. Also a polo one wont be able to cool the m3 lump.
Don't believe everything you read, for road use a 50% solution of longlife OAT antifreeze will stop corrosion dead.
If live in a hard water area buy ready mixed coolant or prepare the coolant mixture using de-ionised water.
The standard Ford rad used in Escorts, Cortinas and Capris wasn't exactly efficient as a heat exchanger. While new Escort rads don't ost a
fortune use a Polo or Nissan rad like everybody else it is a much more efficient heat exchanger.
i was told the same when sourcing mine.old chap near me could make either alu or copper ones but said alu ones are really just a fashion thing and if your relying on the material for cooling effects the rad's not up to the job.made copper one out of rangerover core's and ends off something else for £80.cools my motor with an intercooler blocking half of it .also he said the rad should be mounted at an angle so the air is forced into the cores at the back as well as the front if that makes sense,and the fan is far more efficient sucking from behind the rad.i have no reasons not to believe him!
on the northern radiators website, E36 M3 radiator, £110 +vat
550mm x 408mm x 42mm
VW polo diesel mk2 (or mk3, i forget) part number #VW38
£22+vat
525 x 323 x 32 mm
there's not much in it for the sizes. i think it'll be up to the job. i'd rather spent a tiny amount of cash to find out, than spend a
fortune where its not needed. adapting the mounts shouldn't be a huge job. sure someone's done it here many times
its down to packaging though.... I can't fit a radiator that big in. Surely a rad designed for a 1.0-1.6 ltr car isn't up to the job of a 3.0?
Isnt there a Golf one thats the same dimensions as the Polo one - only thicker?? As above - nothing wrong with the ali / plastic one from a Polo etc and at the price then you are quids in to replace it if it did ever go wrong.
I wouldn't bother getting a triple cored Copper job, ali has a very good rate of heat disipation so you're better off with a Polo one.
Or put it this way STM used to use their own fancy copper radiator for racing. Then I built my Locost in their garage and used a cheap as chips ali
one. Shortly afterwards they started doing the same.....
Nothing to do with the metal the radiator is made of all to do with the design of the core.
If you compare a 60s/70s Ford radiator with a modern radiator you will notice the the modern radiator has a much finer core, this means much more
water in contact with the tube walls and better use of the air flowing through the radiator.
quote:
Originally posted by franky
its down to packaging though.... I can't fit a radiator that big in. Surely a rad designed for a 1.0-1.6 ltr car isn't up to the job of a 3.0?
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Nothing to do with the metal the radiator is made of all to do with the design of the core.
If you compare a 60s/70s Ford radiator with a modern radiator you will notice the the modern radiator has a much finer core, this means much more water in contact with the tube walls and better use of the air flowing through the radiator.
obviously an alu rad's better at heat dissipation and it ultimately the best,but this being locost forum it depends on your budget as far as weight.the difference between an alu rad and a copper one,especially as most of the weight is the water inside it is probably the difference of having a dump before you go out!price difference may able you to save unsprung weight with say lighter calipers or something that would make a far greater difference.all depends on your wallet and priorities i reckon.
A polo radiator may keep a large engine cool on a track but surely never in traffic etc?
The weight is about 1kg more for the normal copper type core over the same spec one in alloy so its not worth it to be from a weight point of view.
The radiator sits at an angle to help cooling/airflow.
I didn't think £110 delivered for a triple core rad was too bad?
Franky, I fitted a small rad on my 24V, and it was hopeless, boiled after just ten minutes of running, and the fan just wouldn't cool it enough.
I then changed, and on the advise of the local rad repair people fitted a rad from the 2.5 diesel Landy, never had a problem with it since, mind you
it is mahoooosive. Cheers Ray
[Edited on 7-3-10 by Chippy]
as you are going to cool a 3.0 straight 6 engine i would fit the biggest alloy rad you can poss squeeze in franky.
sure you can prob source a triple core custom one for a reasonable price, imo the polo rad won't be upto the job, but maybe two will 
quote:
Originally posted by franky
Fittings on the chassis are there etc. Also a polo one wont be able to cool the m3 lump.
quote:
Originally posted by StrikerChris
i was told the same when sourcing mine.old chap near me could make either alu or copper ones but said alu ones are really just a fashion thing