Quote:
Originally Posted by H-Man
The problem with bypassing the thermostat is that the engine's efficiency goes through the floor when cold. The end result of this coolant temperature micromanagement system would be that there would a drop in efficiency if it was to drop the coolant temperatures by any meaningful amount, so much so that any gains from drag reduction with the grill fully closed would be lost ten fold.
Coolant reservoirs don't have the contents circulated through the coolant system, it is merely draw upon when the system cools down and has fluid pushed into it when the system heats up (minimal amount, 100 ml on my Geo Prizm.)
What you plan to do is about as useful as an exhaust turbine driven alternator (read: unicorn corral material.)
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Let's say you forget the thermostat by pass, if I put ice water in my radiator, that will have no effect whatsoever on engine temp as it is regulated by the thermostat, so engine efficiency will not be affected.
Therefore if I can get all the coolant outside of the engine down to half it's temperature, the engine will only need to draw half the rate of flow and I could keep the grille fully blocked for twice as long and gain the benefit of reduced drag for that period.
Oh, and I think your suggestion of unicorn material on this idea puts the entire concept of grille blocking in the same place. As I said the gains would probably be small, but the theory is rooted in evidence of cooling system drag studies.