67Fast_V
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #91
I agree, the grille is a big ticket item. Great to know that top grill only gave 12-15F. Thanks for sharing. I have the upper and lower modified now but not installed. So maybe my calc's are conservative. Hard to estimate the increasing heat load when the cooling temps drop. That's my struggle. I hope I see your improvement level ... vs. mine.
Unfortunately when you increase the grille opening there is an Aero penalty. So I didn't want to take that hit unless I couldn't get there any other way. I will get one more data point (98% sealed) and then decide where to go w/ the grille. Can do the upper or lower only ... or both.
However based on my measurements, calculations, cruise data, and track data, the best knob in the system in my opinion is to seal the radiator. You get a huge cooling improvement and it helps the Aero too. So win-win. And its pretty easy to get 75% of it. About 4-6 hrs of work and $15. The last 25% in the front is not so easy ... but very do-able.
So for those that are experiencing cooling issues or just want lower temps for engine robustness, power, etc, I would highly recommend you spend the 1 day and go after the side and bottom sealing of the radiator. If someone wants some tips, can ask here or send me a PM. Glad to help where I can.
If you want to get a sense of how bad the factory sealing is, just take 5 mins and remove the 8 little push pins on the radiator top cover plate and look around ... you will see monster "holes" on the sides that are bleeding off the radiator airflow. Shocking size openings, really, with no attempt by the OEM to seal.
Unfortunately when you increase the grille opening there is an Aero penalty. So I didn't want to take that hit unless I couldn't get there any other way. I will get one more data point (98% sealed) and then decide where to go w/ the grille. Can do the upper or lower only ... or both.
However based on my measurements, calculations, cruise data, and track data, the best knob in the system in my opinion is to seal the radiator. You get a huge cooling improvement and it helps the Aero too. So win-win. And its pretty easy to get 75% of it. About 4-6 hrs of work and $15. The last 25% in the front is not so easy ... but very do-able.
So for those that are experiencing cooling issues or just want lower temps for engine robustness, power, etc, I would highly recommend you spend the 1 day and go after the side and bottom sealing of the radiator. If someone wants some tips, can ask here or send me a PM. Glad to help where I can.
If you want to get a sense of how bad the factory sealing is, just take 5 mins and remove the 8 little push pins on the radiator top cover plate and look around ... you will see monster "holes" on the sides that are bleeding off the radiator airflow. Shocking size openings, really, with no attempt by the OEM to seal.
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