Radiator Sizing? Is There A Calculation To Use To Determine The Requi

[jacobs53 0]

Does anyone know if there is a equation or calculation to determine radiator sizing which is dependant upon engine power output?

 

cheers lee

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Does anyone know if there is a equation or calculation to determine radiator sizing which is dependant upon engine power output?

 

cheers lee

the calculation is essentially the same as that for domestic central heating radiators.

Essentially but the major difference in a car rad is the effect of forced air cooling both by the fan when stationary and the fan plus air driving through the radiator elements when in motion - known as the newtonian cooling.

Add to this the effect of various thermostats and I think you can see it's not so simple as "an equation"

Why do you think you will exceed the design limits of your existing radiator? Also heat generated in an engine is not neccessarily a linear function of it's power o/p.If this were so then all engines would be the same - thermodynamically speaking. For a given temp at the rad output to be reduced by x degrees then calculate the existing rad area (sq cms), measure current o/p temp and I/P temps subtract the 2 and divide it by the rad area.this gives you the temp drop per sq cm of rad.Then divide your required temp drop by the previous no. and you get the area increase required to achieve that temp drop in sq cms of rad. Add this to the original area and you get the size of the new rad.

This is only approximate though and the physicist in me says add 10%

Hope this helps

regards

Dave