Stagnation point

[RobertSmalls]

Hmm, I don't think that's happened before: For a moment, I was contemplating going to a Chevy dealership to look at the inventory.

Where can I read about cars with radiators at the rear? I would love to seal the engine bay against salt, have finned cooling pipes running the length of the car, and have enough thermal capacitance on the cold side of the thermostat to complete my commute without any airflow across the radiator.

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by aerohead

If you run across a Corvette or Trans Am Firebird it'd be worth your while to crawl under for a peak.( be prepared to explain yourself to the owner ).
There might be some stuff on the web but there's nothing like looking the beast in the face.
The distance ahead of the radiator is a big issue,as is air-tightness.The thing won't work without the airdam and they ride very low to the ground.
Four-season driveability could be an issue.I've never 'lived' with one of these,don't know.
They cut the Firebird's Cd by 0.011 so it's something worth looking into,no pun intended.

My boss at work has a Camaro with this system. There's a wide thin radiator air inlet just ahead of the airdam and the radiator air is exhausted behind the airdam. It uses the high pressure ahead of the airdam combined with the low pressure behind the airdam to drive air through the radiator. He mentioned a friend with a Camaro who over ran a parking curb when parking at a store, breaking off the airdam, and then it started overheating when he drove it home afterwards. So the airdam is critical for the proper functioning of the cooling system.

[jimepting]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Hmm, I don't think that's happened before: For a moment, I was contemplating going to a Chevy dealership to look at the inventory.

Where can I read about cars with radiators at the rear? I would love to seal the engine bay against salt, have finned cooling pipes running the length of the car, and have enough thermal capacitance on the cold side of the thermostat to complete my commute without any airflow across the radiator.

It has had slight discussion here:

Corvette Style Front End/Radiator Setup?

I had some other sites, but seem to have lost them. Did get a look at neighbors C4 Vette and I must say that it is a very impressive setup. Front completely devoid of any openings. Big underbumper intake just in front of a thin air dam. extensive internal ductwork. I was impressed. The "Insight" question might be, "Is it worth giving up the really smooth front underbody in order to execute a bottom breathing arrangement?" The current arrangement may be just as effective, but interesting question.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Hmm, I don't think that's happened before: For a moment, I was contemplating going to a Chevy dealership to look at the inventory.

Where can I read about cars with radiators at the rear? I would love to seal the engine bay against salt, have finned cooling pipes running the length of the car, and have enough thermal capacitance on the cold side of the thermostat to complete my commute without any airflow across the radiator.

Robert,I would try a GOOGLE search for the Ford Probe-IV concept car.
That car was front-engine,but they piped the coolant to a quarter-panel located forced-air heat-exchanger which when under electric fan power,would actually propel the car to 4-mph.
The AC condenser was located on the opposite side.
Also,the coolant traveled to and from in an extruded aluminum heat-sink tube.

[jimepting]

Made an arrangement with my neighbor to take pictures of his Corvette this weekend. Now if I hope I can figure out a way to get them posted.