Need new fans and radiator

Radiator: OEM style copper/brass.
Fans: The jury is still out for me... Either (1) more efficient pushers, or (2) a pair of pancake sucker fans mounted behind with the radiator tilted forward a bit.

This combo has never failed me in any condition:

There will be a little fab work to make a few brackets and such.
Pantera Specific Fluidyne radiator.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fld-fhp35-pan

26 x 15 Fan shroud assembly that is more efficient than just two fans zip tied to the core:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4851/overview/

MSD high current relay:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8960

I agree totally with Dave, all except the relay. That's one pricey relay dude... I go with these Bosch units. Much cheaper...never had one fail. My $0.02

quote:

Originally posted by Dave2811:
This combo has never failed me in any condition:

Pantera Specific Fluidyne radiator.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fld-fhp35-pan
26 x 15 Fan shroud assembly that is more efficient than just two fans zip tied to the core:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4851/overview/
MSD high current relay:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8960

NICE!
What/who's thermal switches are you using?

Here's a Fan & Shroud assembly that Wade (MarkIV/4280) fabbed up. The flappers over the holes let air through once you hit a reasonable road speed, and the flappers are sucked closed when the main (ducted) fan is running without "ambient airflow".

He did a nice job on this.

A good idea for you to consider.

Rocky

PS> (THIS IS AN AMUSING ANECDOTE - NOT A SERIOUS PROPOSAL)Did you ever see that radiator switch that had the metal paddle? When the car was moving, the paddle blew back and hit the limit switch - turning off one of the fans. It was on this board somewhere!

Shroud without flappers....

quote:

Originally posted by JFB #05177:
NICE!
What/who's thermal switches are you using?

Not using thermal switches. The fans are controlled by the FAST EFI computer.

Dave,

Are you using the 3 row Fluidyne or the 5 row Fluidyne?

Are the dual sucker fans that you are using the earlier model (2,600 cfm), or the newer 3,100 cfm model?

Just trying to clarify.

John

Larry,

Here's my 2 cents;

I have heard of Fluidyne aluminum radiators failing, they are then almost always throw away items. A brass radiator can be repaired by any competent shop. The aluminum usually has weight advantage, but key for cooling is the tube size, typically the tubes in an aluminum radiator are 1" or bigger, whereas 1/2" in copper. It is worth spending some time to compare the offerings and tube sizes the various manufacturer are incorporating, I have only heard good things when it comes to Ron Davis radiators.

Puller (sucker) fans are roughly 20% more efficient than equivalent pushers, I'd go that route again, but next time I'd get the highest cfm SPAL fans that fit and fabricate my own shroud for them.

I too made a stand off for my Flex-a-Lite fan shroud as mounting it directly to the radiator positions the fans too close (requires minimum 3/4" air gap) leading to a significant efficiency drop.

I think Johnny Woods was one of the first to discover that the Flex-a-Lite (and other) shrouds impede air flow at sustained high speed (allegedly 150mph in his case). He incorporated flaps that open via the higher air pressure at speed.

Julian

quote:

Originally posted by jb1490:
Are you using the 3 row Fluidyne or the 5 row Fluidyne?

Are the dual sucker fans that you are using the earlier model (2,600 cfm), or the newer 3,100 cfm model?
....

5 row Fluidyne and not sure of the CFM. I bought mine ~4 years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Joules:
...
I have heard of Fluidyne aluminum radiators failing, they are then almost always throw away items. ...

Full disclosure, I did have one start leaking at the fins into the side tank. Replaced it with the same. Summit has these in stock, and you can have one shipped next day if required. A 5 row core is massive cooling capacity. Fans do not run on the freeway.

quote:

5 row Fluidyne and not sure of the CFM. I bought mine ~4 years ago.

Thanks, Dave.

John

About 4 or 5 years ago Fluidyne changed from a 3 row core (FHP30-PAN) to a 5 row core (FHP35-PAN).

I have the 3 row core and dual sucker fans (2,600 cfm).

After 34,000 miles and just shy of 7 years, I have never had a problem with overheating or with the radiator leaking.

John