Radiator Requirements for Modded RV8

[roseytvr]

Currently having a JE 5.1 motor built which is estimated to throw out about 375 bhp. My current rad in the griff could do with a refresh but I am not sure whether to simply recore mine or upgrade.

Having mugged up in the Bible it mentions going for a three core or alloy rad but warns about over cooling and getting the set up out of the sweet spot ..... or words to that effect!!

What views are there - the engine will be specifically mapped once its in, do I just recore, go three core (whatever that means!!) or alloy?

Thanks in advance

[MPoxon]

I have a Radtec Aluminium Rad in my Griff. I thought the original rads where 3 core and the Aluminium one 4 core?

On special offer at ACT at the moment:
http://www.actproducts.co.uk/shop/ar002-tvr-griffi...

Cheaper than Radtec direct:
http://radtec.co.uk/products/322/Cerbera-Chimera-G...

Very pleased with mine I certainly noticed that the fans kicked in less when sat in traffic so I assume it is more efficient.

If you are concerned about engine bay temps, ceramic coating the manifolds may be a better shout.

[roseytvr]

Thanks Matthew - I have gone with ceramic manifolds and down pipes so hopefully the engine bay will be a lot cooler. I have to say I have had no problem with the cooling on my 275 bhp 500 but an extra 100 bhp may mean I need an upgrade hence the question. I dont particularly want an alloy radiator at approaching £500 unless from a performance point of view its warrented.

In the Bible Steve Heath comments on the potential of alloy competition radiators "lowering the cars temperature out of the sweet spot". Given the extra performance proposed and a fully mapable ECU I would think I am safe going alloy but do I really need to? Will a recore or a three core version do the same job at less than half the cost??

So many questions............

[MPoxon]

Certainly an interesting question. I would have thought the original system would be up to the job if in good working order but like you say it must have a limit and your new engine will output a considerable amount more power and heat than what the manufacturer originally specified.

The ceramic manifolds should certainly help the cause. It might be worth having a chat with some of the SC boys and see if they have had any issues. Most of the supercharged cars are running around the 400BHP mark.

[vjj]

Ali rads are generally 30% more efficient than steel ones - Allisport do them for TVRs at about 500 quid - built to order only though!

[clive f]

I kept the original radiator in my old griff when I fitted the ajp lump in, I had it recored with bigger cores, worked a treat with no problems, I didn`t go down the aluminium route as I had heard of many problems with leaks on fratured pipes.

[roseytvr]

clive f said:

I kept the original radiator in my old griff when I fitted the ajp lump in, I had it recored with bigger cores, worked a treat with no problems, I didn`t go down the aluminium route as I had heard of many problems with leaks on fratured pipes.

Clive, thanks - that's what I wanted to hear. A recore it is then

[Discopotatoes]

I had a bespoke alloy one made 60mm thick but deeper and shorter to fit the intercooler
My temps don't go above 87 degs even on full chat!

Edited by Discopotatoes on Monday 25th March 18:15

[ChimpOnGas]

Very nice indeed Rich

[Bluebottle]

If u are ceramicoating your headers and collector, I would defo go tripple core. I have the radtec in mine and it over cools a lot...doesn't really bother me as my car is track biased where it works perfectly. In winter and for long motorway journeys I have made up a radiator muff that covers half the opening, that I can easily slot into place quickly.

[roseytvr]

Bluebottle said:

If u are ceramicoating your headers and collector, I would defo go tripple core. I have the radtec in mine and it over cools a lot...doesn't really bother me as my car is track biased where it works perfectly. In winter and for long motorway journeys I have made up a radiator muff that covers half the opening, that I can easily slot into place quickly.

Thanks hamish. Yep coated manifolds now arrived and rad has been triple cored. What material is your muff, oh er misses!

[Bluebottle]

roseytvr said:

Thanks hamish. Yep coated manifolds now arrived and rad has been triple cored. What material is your muff, oh er misses!

its as basic as it gets...sheet of A3 paper laminated and hole punched..lol...it slips into the 2mm gap between the radiator and intercooler portrait orientation to cover one side, and is held in place with a re-usable cable tie around one of the top rad pipes.
Without it my rad stat snaps shut on cruise if the temps are anything less than about 12 degs