Fat or Wide?

[shynsy]

Hi Folks,
I am choosing a cooling solution for my +2..
What are peoples view of:
1) standard narrow
2) standard fat
3) wide

Car is standard tune, modern SPAL fan(s), normal road usage in the UK but also potentially some alpine passes in the summer heat. I have run the car with a standard rad and SPAL fan and seems OK in the temps at the mo (freezing!) but suspect the capacity is not too much higher. In the past i had a +2 with standard rad and temps would rise above 90 as speed increased above 70 on the autobahn (which was annoying). Baffling and foam etc will be renewed to optimse cool airflow..

Cheers
Tim

PS I should say that one of the things I cannot abide is a car that overheats!

[cliveyboy]

Tim
Buy an old full width radiator from an S3 or early +2. Get it rebuilt with a 2 core dense matrix and you will never regret it.
I have one on my Sprint with rear mounted Revotec fans. I have run it in 30C+ temps and it always stays cool.
Only time the temperature rises is when stationary, the fans then cut in and temp goes back down.
I know of various owners with same system who have done alpine rallies and very hot desert like runs with no issues.
Clive

[mbell]

I have setup mentioned (and designed/made by) Clive. I had no issue with heat even in Texas hot summers. It could idle in the garage in temps approaching 40c with fans cutting in and out at a reasonable duty cycle.

[shynsy]

Tim
Buy an old full width radiator from an S3 or early +2. Get it rebuilt with a 2 core dense matrix and you will never regret it.
I have one on my Sprint with rear mounted Revotec fans. I have run it in 30C+ temps and it always stays cool.
Only time the temperature rises is when stationary, the fans then cut in and temp goes back down.
I know of various owners with same system who have done alpine rallies and very hot desert like runs with no issues.
Clive

Ok sounds good. Just need to find an old carcass.. i have a bloke locally who recores old rads.
Tim

[mbell]

Just need to find an old carcass..

It a triumph spitfire rad with inlet/outlet rotated. So shouldn't be hard to find, just need to get the same changes made if its a spitfire radiator when you have it re-cored.

[rgh0]

I use the wide early Spitfire radiator in my Elan fitted with a 3 row core and with the inlet rotated and the filler relocated as was down when Lotus used it. Works in a 180 HP race engine at 40C on the track The fans only kick in when I come back to the paddock after a race

cheers
Rohan

[shynsy]

Had wondered.
I have a mk IV spitfire in the same garage. Will hunt down a carcass..
Tim

[cliveyboy]

Tim
I did notice you had a Spitfire.
I believe the Triumph radiator is slightly taller by about 30mm. But you just put a shorter core in. If using a Triumph radiator on a Plus 2 you will need to drill an extra fixing hole in the bracket about half way down.
Also the Plus 2 bottom hose can get very close to the steering column and rub. So make sure the outlets are orientated correctly. I have found on Lotus radiators that the orientation of bottom outlet can vary depending if it came off a S3 or a Plus 2. Only slightly. The bottom outlet points more upright as opposed to the outlet twisted slightly to the 1 O clock position as you look at the back. If you have no issues with your old rad then use that bottom hose orientation.
You could also take the opportunity to get a threaded boss soldered on to replace the Otter switch. That way you can use a modern fan switch and its less likely to fall out.
Clive

[shynsy]

Spitfire wide Rad acquired.
Tim

[MACCA.GLM]

Hi guys
Im at the other end of the spectrum.My Sprint has just decided to run cooler at around 65/70 degs when last week and since I changed the otter switch 4 months ago has been running at 85/90 degs. could it be the thermostat or has the otter switch failed in some way. The fan is on very early and dosent seem to stop. The fan does not run when the engine is fired up.
Any ideas.
Cheers
G