all aluminium engine requires smaller radiator ?
all aluminium engine tolerates smaller radiator ? If you compare it to a cast iron engine with the same power, does an all aluminum engine tolerates a smaller radiator ?
Last edited by jeejee; Sep 8, 2008 at 05:29 PM.
On The Tree
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I replaced my SBC with a 402"LS2 and it will maintain 180* as long as the fans are on and my SBC would go to 200* Using the same radiator fans etc.both with modified thermostats. I know Bill Jenkins swore you wanted to run aluminum hotter for the ideal thermodynamics, he was speaking only aluminum heads, im sure the block in aluminum would raise the running temp even more for the most power.
probably not, the basic design is the heat generated from combustion is transferred away via the coolant running through the block and head, so the radiator needs to be sized properly to be able to get rid of that heat. I suppose, theoretically, that an all aluminum engine will shed heat better into the surrounding air than a cast iron engine and you could make the argument that the extra bit of heat shed is that much less the radiator needs to shed so you can use a smaller radiator. But for the power output of something like an LS1 the amount of heat shed into the air is probably negligible to that of what the cooling system and radiator handles.
and i wouldn't say- aluminum engine require smaller radiator. I would say "get away with using" a smaller radiator.
and i wouldn't say- aluminum engine require smaller radiator. I would say "get away with using" a smaller radiator.
Requires? No way. Permits? Maybe. If you like running
way hotter than thermostat in summer.
Aluminum heads lessen the temperature difference
between combustion chamber and water jacket. So
theoretically you can run hotter water and make the
same heat-throw with less radiator area and more
delta-T.
But you're still better off with more area and let the
'stat regulate it tightly, so you can tune tightly to
it.
way hotter than thermostat in summer.
Aluminum heads lessen the temperature difference
between combustion chamber and water jacket. So
theoretically you can run hotter water and make the
same heat-throw with less radiator area and more
delta-T.
But you're still better off with more area and let the
'stat regulate it tightly, so you can tune tightly to
it.
