Crazy radiator idea

[Angelus359]

If someone doesn't want to do a mod this extensive, they could just build the underbody cover for near the front bumper, use a refridgerator backing, run the coolant through that, as its pressed against the alluminum plate, and then do the actuating front grill block mod.

[mopo3]

I like the idea. I was thinking of a similar mod that would use an aluminum hood with counter-flow pathways in it, so that the heat would rise giving better natural convection while stopped. I haven't done the math, but most radiators are specified based on surface area so your under car area would need to be around that range to compete with the original radiator. Another idea to allow the use of a radiator while reducing drag would be to place the radiator is such a place that the inlets could be 'NACA duct' shaped. I think I'd want it on the bottom as part of a belly pan for center of gravity and beauty reasons.

[endurance]

Originally Posted by mopo3

I like the idea. I was thinking of a similar mod that would use an aluminum hood with counter-flow pathways in it, so that the heat would rise giving better natural convection while stopped.

+1 Really like the idea. Much better way of dealing with convection to prevent overheating in the car in stopped traffic. The only problem I see is opening and closing the hood without kinking hoses and the weight of the hood full of 2+/- gallons of fluid (an added 16 pounds, plus the weight of the additional layer of aluminum and ducting), but the engineering challenges seem far better than the undercarriage. Obviously engineering it so the hood would fold, like an OEM hood, would remain a priority to prevent decapitation or passenger compartment hot steam injection, but again, I think these issues could be overcome with the right thinkers.

[Frank Lee]

The gain is what exactly?

[mopo3]

the gain would be to get rid of the grill openings. I think there are better ways to get around this, especially when the goal is hyper-milling, but if it were to be done I wouldn't make the hood hold the entire amount of coolant, but I would install a higher flow water pump to move the water faster. I'm gonna break out my heat transfer book and see what kind of cooling is achievable from a hood and under the car for kicks.

[Frank Lee]

The engine compartment needs ventilation, radiator or not. Heat, ozone, fumes, etc. kill all the non metal parts.

[mopo3]

not to mention that the car has to have an inlet for the combustion. I see your point.

[nimblemotors]

This has the problem of heat coming off the hood would distort your vision.
And how do you open the hood.

If the goal is just a grill block, you can make it actuate so its open when the fan is on, and closes with the fan off, much like a Porsche Spoiler raises up only when the car is going over xx mph.

Originally Posted by mopo3

I like the idea. I was thinking of a similar mod that would use an aluminum hood with counter-flow pathways in it, so that the heat would rise giving better natural convection while stopped. I haven't done the math, but most radiators are specified based on surface area so your under car area would need to be around that range to compete with the original radiator. Another idea to allow the use of a radiator while reducing drag would be to place the radiator is such a place that the inlets could be 'NACA duct' shaped. I think I'd want it on the bottom as part of a belly pan for center of gravity and beauty reasons.

[d0sitmatr]

ive been thinking of ways to accomplish something similar far longer than this thread has been up, but my thinking was more towards the AC condenser (I think that is what it is) thus no longer blocking the radiator, and allowing for better cooling from it.
there are several ideas I toyed with, but the one that I felt was easiest accomplished was by using 2 pieces for the condenser, and putting them on either side of the fender, with a series of small, thin vertical cuts along that portion to allow the air flow to pull heated air from them while moving, and maybe a low fpm fan for when stationary.
this would allow a much larger area of grill blocking since the air would no longer be blocked and heated from the AC portion that sits in front of it.
as far as removing the rad, and replacing it with a hood system, it could be accomplished in the same way.
to keep the engine bay cool and allow gases to escape, a couple of inverted slits along the hood itself would accomplish this, and all you would really need is a small slit in the front for air flow. I mean, look at that aerocivic, it has almost no frontal inlet for airflow and has no problems that I know of.

all in all, I think its a novel idea and something that could be pretty easy to accomplish
with just a little bit of ingenuity and some trial and error.
heck, you could do both if you chose, 1 part at the hood and 1 part in the undercarriage.