Performance Radiator - Explained

What is a performance radiator? How do racing radiators improve cooling? Performance radiators have many criteria used in order to create something with great cooling, no leaks, all at a low weight. The dimensions, fin density, number of passes, number of cores (rows), materials used, fan speed, coolant flow rate, and temperature differential all play a large roll in performance radiator design. This particular radiator is a Yonaka race radiator for Acura Integras. The radiator includes the shroud and fans.
Product Link:
Yonaka Race Radiator - www.yonaka.com/Acura_Integra_1...
Related Videos:
Cooling System - • Radiators - Explained
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[@Zildjian785]

Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for all your great videos. I never grew up around people who could teach me much about cars so I've learned a great amount from all your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@natgoboom]

I like how you cover everything in your videos and continue to go beyond what others would deem necessary. Thanks for everything you do :D

[@EngineeringExplained]

We shall see, that'd be awesome!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Awesome, best of luck! I hope to rebuild the Integra engine at some point.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thicker radiators won't be dissipating much heat once the air is warmed up, and still passing through the radiator, hence, having it as thin as possible is best (assuming it takes up a large area, which is not ideal).

[@jayshi1799]

But what if I have plenty of room in the engine bay?

[@EngineeringExplained]

Depends of course, on all of the factors I've described in the video, and many more. That said, it could easily be 50 degrees or more.

[@christopherfranko7873]

Really enjoy your videos. You are great at simplifying concepts without condescending.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@EngineeringExplained]

To learn, my friend!

[@talltomrich1]

Yes it would, i'd love to see it. The Integra platform and chassis is more than capable.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Cheers!

[@bilalcoaker9882]

Very good explanation on turbine engines, I give you two wrenches up!!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yep

[@yehudagoldberg6400]

Just wanna say you've taught me the most about cars. "With that being said" , im about to start my first restoration!

[@212025510]

Bravo! This guide is far the best video on topic I have found. Thank you evry much!

[@gquinonesjr3881]

Informative and adds to my understanding of cooling systems and build a car with an emphasis on cool temperatures. Enjoyed and the basic understanding leads to practical and better designed radiators for our cars. Thanks

[@MsSkip60]

i love the way you hold these mechanic parts

[@MaltaMcMurchy]

Very well explained. Thanks for including ample detail in your videos. I also like the whiteboard illustrations, when available. 👍

[@MrRoyalestCrown]

I like how there are positives and negatives in EVERY aspect of cars almost. Anything that has positives only is already implemented in most cars. Just goes to show how race cars are different to road cars. Thanks for the video!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Water and aluminum work pretty well together for transferring heat. Water is super cheap as well, and safe.

[@CJ-ty8sv]

One thing to touch / comment on is #5 (Material Selection). There is a common misconception in the automotive world which I see quite often when it related to material selection for a Radiator. This misconception is that what people often call a "Copper" radiator (which is really a copper/brass radiator) and it being better for cooling is not true at all. This is false because while Copper is a better conductor of heat energy, the only part that is copper in them is the fins. Everything else is brass (I.e., the tubes, headers, tanks, etc...) Brass has a lower thermal conductivity rate then aluminum to start with. So the heat transfer out of the water (coolant) is slower in since it has to conduct through the brass tube. The next issue is the "copper" fins are soldered to the brass tubes. The Solder also has an even lower thermal conductivity rate then the brass tubes. Essentially, the solder acts as an insulator between the brass tubes and the copper fins. With an aluminum core, the construction of the core is essentially 100% aluminum (Aluminum Tubes and fins with an aluminum based braze cladding) so the thermal conductivity rate is virtually the same throughout all components (which is higher then the brass for the tubes and the solder of a C/B (Copper/Brass) Radiator). It was a Manufacturing cost issue as to why for the longest time, the automotive manufacturing industry used C/B radiators. It was viewed as, "while overall, the aluminum unit will truly cool better, the C/B worked "good enough" and it was much cheaper to manufacture (much cheaper to stamp tanks and components and solder them then to fabricate and weld aluminum tanks". Plus aluminum brazing clad sheets (whats used to bond the fins to the tube) was not really perfected until the late 70's / early 80's. With technology advancements in Thermal Plastics and copper material cost rise in more recent years (last 20 years), it became more cost effective to go over to Aluminum cores which is why virtually every car sold new in the last 20+ years has come with either Aluminum core / Plastic tank and in some rare cases, 100% aluminum units (i.e., welded Aluminum tanks). Also, another thing to point out is that #8 (Temp Differential) is one of the few things (like #6) which explains why #1 is as stated ("better to have more frontal area then thickness) is desirable. As the cooling air enters the grill side of the core, it starts to absorb heat from the fins and tubes. This air gains heat on its way though the cores thickness (obviously)... This heat gained by the air means that the temperature differential between the air and the rear side (engine side) tube(s) is now lower so less transfer occurs from the tubes and fins to the air moving across it as Thermodynamics shows us that a higher ΔT (Delta T) means that heat is transferred (ΔQ) at a fast/higher rate between the two media's. Basically the first law of Thermodynamics tells us that an increase in in ΔT = an increase in ΔQ.... So the air entering the grill side of the core will be at ambient but the air in the middle of the core will be hotter and the air exiting the core will be even hotter then what it was in the middle. An easy way to say it will be that the ΔQ will drop as the air pass through the core's thickness.

[@GGrev]

Chris P you missed a big thing, aluminium is lighter while offering "close enough" performance to copper, i thought that should be the main point

[@luiscasillas9853]

Chris P dammm bro. Bible long ass comment. Ain't nobody got time for that.

[@plowboy5220]

I appreciate your informative addition.

[@chanakyasinha8046]

You are physics guy😀

[@JoshuaDeanHealey]

You said some parts are copper and some are brass... brass is a copper alloy...

[@ghettoflyer]

Great Job covering the radiator you did leave a pro and con out that I could see right off the stock plastic rounded tanks get better velocity than the square one because of the shape (nearly impossible to find round tank aluminum radiators not cost effective to make) although on older cars you can often get rounded copper tanks.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Hmm, good question, it really shouldn't change it too much. It may have a small effect, but ultimately both fans would be blowing the same flow rate (or the more powerful fan would do most of the work, if they were different). Increasing airflow would have a much greater effect.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Depends, it can certainly go both ways, and many times it is done from top to bottom so that as it cools it naturally moves downward. Different cars do it differently.

[@MrBat000]

Your video's are very educational and spot on! thanks for posting!!

[@td3046]

Greetings from Trinidad and Tobago. Keep up the awesome tutorials

[@boxer951]

i like all these video's cuz he explains everything in full detail.thanks for making these video's.

[@777weaponX]

great vid with very clear explanations

[@daviddowns7061]

Well explained and informative. Loved the video. Thanks

[@BenTvHowman]

Very well explained, I learnt heaps from this and your other vids

[@shadeofsound23]

For more passes, you get more pressure, which means a higher boiling point, which means (hopefully) less spontaneous air bubbles in the coolant line (if your engine operates close to tolerances like that). Plus, basically, you're compensating for the massive differential of specific heat between air and water when you increase the dwelling time, resulting in more effective overall cooling rates and ultimate cooling results.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Hmm, I'm not really sure. It may be designed that way, perhaps to fit within a certain area, or improve cooling.

[@TraxxasKing]

These are really interesting videos man, one thing to consider is to make sure you measure everything when setting this stuff up, my mate set up a water to air intercooler and found that by decreasing water pump speed it was working more efficiently, this is because when the pump was at max rpm it was causing cavitation and so the water flow was less than at a lower voltage. Plenty of head pressure to the pump fixes this though

[@mworx6446]

Often overlooked yet very important especially on some cars like my E46 M3, I have fitted 3 different types before I found the best setup using a pro alloy part, it has a 35 per cent greater efficiency and allows a bigger intercooler to be fitted for the supercharger. A better oilcooler fits into the front now too so everything is much better than it was. Even power went up to 557bhp cos the fmi is reducing the charge temperature more

[@nowayhunting]

what temp thermostat are you using? i am running about the same hp as you and parts store told me to use a 160 degree but i have always used a 195 in the past. i have an over heating problem. going to go all aluminum 3 row and need to know about thermostat to use.

[@mdev8846]

And what's brand -model ?.

[@PoorManMods]

great video man

[@itr_cloud]

In your explanation you mentioned that this is a top-down flowing radiator but I believe on Honda's the flow direction is opposite (bottom-up). The bottom radiator hose is connected to the thermostat housing where hot coolant is released going to the bottom radiator reservoir them moving up through the cores to the top reservoir before being pushed back into the engine via the head.

[@abdullahalansari2163]

i came here because I want to make my water cooling fan colder, bcz in iraq its really hot, i loved the way you explain the concepts you gave me very good insights, thanks a lot

[@TEEDEE550]

thanks man good and detailed explanation

[@joehentalack2443]

On my 1995 300ZX turbo,i modified my front headlights cleaning sprays to fix them directly facing on the intercooler,when needed,in traffic,it brings the temp down incredibly,and when rolling too,easy,i put a bigger tank and pump for fresh cold water only,when driving to Vegas,I add chunks of dry ice,because it has a tendency to overheat when stuck in Tfc.working on a ventilated hood with fans.

[@joepirelli9408]

Man that's a great idea, easier than installing a bigger radiator.

[@chilledboost1982]

As always your videos are top notch..

[@prashanthb6521]

Very well explained 👍

[@JobeMinacum]

Nice haircut, and thanks for these videos!!

[@kranthikuamr7779]

nice one Very Helpful video. Thanks

[@NolanryanDuncan]

Great job buddy leant ALOT

[@aventurandonaeuropa7768]

Thank you, it's clear for me now,!

[@billyh6872]

Love these video really helps me out :)

[@AsifSadiqShamrat]

Very Helpful video. Thanks

[@BigDette]

Damn dude, they send you soo much stuff! thats sweet!

[@ladjkaoz]

Great channel... keep it up.. bro..

[@_Epictetus_]

@Engineering Explained you should do one on flat fan shrouds

[@Lionchuu]

Just bought a Koyo N Flo for my FD RX-7. 👍

[@billrendina8177]

great job

[@kowalskielbeh7005]

Nice presentation of the subject .. well done

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@MrCbell57]

Thanks love your videos. It’s like having a virtual library full of encyclopedias. Do you determine what videos you put out based on other information videos you see that have been posted?

[@mastermat630]

omg those outlets welds ... looks crappy inside that outlet tube 1:01

[@sajsed2]

i thought i was the only one that saw that ha ha ha ah

[@Stonereraldi]

"Friday!

[@InitialDIYmods]

Thought the same thing LOL

[@charlesbeasley9179]

There's always visible evidence of blow through during aluminum welding an experienced welder should be able to see this I can aluminum is one of my favorites

[@1godgodgodgodgod]

Probably mishimoto

[@glorious_help]

GREAT STUFF.

[@oldfartnewstart1928]

I have a '94 Fleetwood southwind motorhome, F53 ford engine. the radiator guy says I need a 2691 cbr. what do u thin is best radiator for my rig? thanks.

[@thekandza]

Should do how does biturbo works...it would be awesome!

[@ailireruf]

I think they are more efficient because the fan inevitably warms up the air its pushing. And if the fans are in front, the air that hits the radiators are warmer and hence less temperature differential than if the fans were mounted in the back. Also I think when the pulling fan creates lower pressure, air from all over the front is sucked it, while on the other hand, the air follows closely the geometry of the fan, meaning the air will be about the diameter of the fan, hence reducing area.

[@mtmasteroftalk5044]

Can i replace the cooling fins with radiator ? when i travel for a long time my engine always vibrate more than the same cc with radiator

[@braddavis4377]

Thanks for making these vids! Three questions: 1) Is it possible to have a push pull configuration for a radiator? If clearance is not an issue It would be cool to take a que from computers and have a push-pull fan setup for a radiator. 2) how would a multiple radiator setup work? Again I'm taking ques from computer building. 3) How does radiators behave or how do people get around debris issues in their radiators when doing thing like deep fording; I see vids of cars fording through flooded streeta for instance and of course I see tanks fording rivers, is there some sort of close-able flap and or a fan shut switch to permit fording? Keep up the good work!!

[@ODIOPOWER]

this video can be also applied for pc with a water cooling system ;) very racing stuff!

[@aminovic08]

thanks for the video , i have a question about fans and there efficiency. does the finger guard decrease the efficiency and if this is true how and how much

[@HellDoggyjr]

Ty ee for another good vid

[@EngineeringExplained]

The internet, haha, there's not a one stop shop that teaches you everything, so I'm working on making it! I have a more detailed answer on my FAQ, link's on my About page.

[@H8TRHELL4U]

Great video! How would I connect this radiator to a computer PSU? Please help!

[@aliradhwan5241]

Than you for the great video, can you tell me please what is the ideal radiator temperature? is 102 degree C after 1 hour driving on the highway OK or do i need to change the old radiator in my car?

[@flyingfool]

I would assume you can get a higher energy dissipation via pulling because the mean velocity of the air is greater. This is because once the heat is dissipated, the air is still being accelerated in by the fan, whereas with a pushfan once the heat is dissipated it creates a small amount of backpressure as it is already decelerating.

[@injgeri]

Hi! Thank for you the great explaining :) If you have the time to make a video on how common rail diesel engines work, it`d be great! I`ve heard some feedbacks that that system is less reliable (fails more than a regular TDI or DI) - do you think that is correct? Thanks!

[@OTTOExplained]

very nice

[@EngineeringExplained]

To be honest, I'm not sure. But apparently it's capable of pulling more air through, where as pushing may cause the air to push out to the sides of the fan.

[@mdr46]

I noticed that the inlet and outlet necks of the radiator in the video are in line with one another. Usually on a downflow radiator, the necks are in opposite corners of the radiator so that the coolant has to flow through the entire core. I'm wondering if your radiator has some kind of internal baffles that route the coolant through the core? Can you see any baffles if you look inside the top or bottom tank?

[@Lavos1999]

5:40 I think another big thing the aluminum radiators have going for them is that they don't cause as many corrosion issues as the copper radiator.

[@PavanKumar-km8ke]

The video was totally informative and there was so much of knowledge to be gained out of it. I have an important question, you said its important to maintain higher temperature differential of coolant. But that's gonna demand more power or energy isn't it? Eg. Let's take two temperature differentials of delta X and delta Y, where del X is greater than del Y. Obviously, the former case needs more power to undergo cooling than later, which means the fan has to rotate at a higher speed to meet the objective. I think it's more simpler to have lower temp. diff than higher. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Cheers!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

You want a high temperature differential between the outside air and the engine coolant, so that you can take a significant amount of heat out of it.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yes, indeed, mine are electric from the start.

[@riceoobxg]

What do you think of Evans Waterless Coolant? Jay Leno advocates it. Are there any drawbacks or is it really that good?

[@jacobellis8135]

What about the effectiveness of air flow from electric fans being attached directly to the radiator vs. being attached to a thin shroud (1in or less) vs. a thicker shroud (3 or 4 inches thick)?

[@Dragoon876]

When picking a radiator for a swapped vehicle, should you select based on the vehicle or the engine? I would suppose the vehicle considering standard rad mounts but the in/outlet may not be in the same positions on the swapped engine originally. So which would you rather have, vehicle rad + swapped engine + custom rad hoses, vehicle rad + swap + modified in/out, or swap rad + modified mounts?

[@shadowkeeper0]

In stationary applications like liquid cooling on pc, pulling or pushing makes no difference in efficiency. Pulling is preferable though, because any dirt would be stuck primarily on the other side of the radiator which is very easily cleaned. If you were pushing air, dirt would be stuck between the fan and the radiator and it would accumulate over time. I believe that this is the reason car engineers select pull, also a pulling config may increase airflow due to the car's speed.

[@Packap]

Hey, just wondering what negatives and positives changing to a performance thermostat will make to my engine? I'm worried that changing to the Mishimoto thermostat to match my radiator and hoses will cause my engine to run too cold considering I have no power mods as of this moment in time (car is an Evolution 4) and the new Mishimoto thermostat runs around 10 Celsius lower than the OE one.

[@KORTOKtheSTRONG]

great vid

[@bumshari_2286]

hey mate i really appreciate your efforts. .I'm doing a research on performance enhancement of a car radiator. and these days I'm looking for resources and references. . do you recommend me any! !

[@douglasaranda2010]

Hey dude! Will you do a performance air filter video? Like K&N? I know you did the cold air intake, that's why I'm asking!

[@sonerozgur]

Could you, please, make a video on various coolant types, and coolant compatibility with various materials ( iron, copper/brass, aluminum, plastic gaskets, etc. ). Dexcool vs G05? There are just too many choices...

[@pooptv679]

Can i ask you? What tools for closing the Wavy Radiator?

[@paganpoetprophet6441]

the coolant flow rate ? can i increase this with a high performance water pump ? novice here at modifying my 92 lx mustang any suggestions on the very best high performance high flow water pump ? good video thanks

[@murtaza6626]

thanks for the explanation i just wanted to ask why f1 cars dont have a fan?also i couldnt find a detailed picture of a f1 cooling system i would be grateful if you can direct me.......

[@Priotech]

I think the only thing extra you could have mentioned was about the ducting (?) holding the fans in place and how that is better for the cooling

[@KSIXRIDER]

Always enjoy the video's! So I hear the term "Core" and people saying I increase the number of "cores" for better cooling. I heard the explanation in the upper right quadrant but I am still confused about what the "cores" are.

[@EngineeringExplained]

They're the passage ways from one end of the radiator to the other, connecting the end tanks so the coolant can flow from one end to the other. It's very misleading to say more cores are better, the best would be one single core that takes up the entire width of the radiator. This isn't done, typically, because the core wouldn't be very strong, so 2 or 3 are used. Ultimately, you just want to maximize the surface area, which is what I was demonstrating in the top right quadrant.

[@ryanwilliams3369]

That's a nice unit how much is it and would it cool a v8.

[@khalidelhour942]

could you tell me please what is the necessary equations to make a radiator for high performance car !!?

[@christopherdelano2474]

But what about aluminum vs plastic? Aluminum tanks insulate less so they allow more heat to escape but it makes the engine compartment hotter right? So is there any performance gains worth the weight and cost, other than reliability?

[@CarsnStuff]

i can understand that if it would be able to retain the same amount of fluid as an oversized radiator. But form my experience, thinner radiators have never out performed my aftermarket ones on my cars and even dirt bike. With my thicker radiators im able to maintain a cooler running temperature compared to what i would with stock. I guess im just having a hard time understanding how a radiator that does not hold as much coolant as a thick radiator would offer better cooling.

[@hellzaid]

if i am right that is because of the material usually aluminum is greater in all application but still it changes temperature very quickly then S.S or cast iron that is y it also expands at lower temperatures then S.S and cast iron that causes blooming in it and drag car tends to generate alot of heat because of high torque ratio then normal cars so fast increase and decrease in temp causes blooming and bloating in aluminum .. hope that helps !

[@AMRSAMIIIR]

does it get cleaned from inside like any other radiator ?

[@Khalsa-bt7jx]

Could you please make a video on how to calculate the size of the intake manifold. Like ideal runners length and diameter etc.

[@sity909]

No

[@genebf88]

How great is the temperature difference between the coolant once it is cooled? Lets say the coolant comes in at 200 F, what temp does it have once it leaves the radiator back into the engine? I'm just curious on how big that difference is.

[@ECLIPD862]

I have a 04 impala ss can you help me on what modifications I can do

[@teejayjimenez9682]

What is the difference of large and small radiator? Im thinking of replacing my car radiator from big into small one

[@wonniewarrior]

Do radiator manufacturers in certain hotter countries factor in where country drivers put fly screen or mesh in front of radiators or grilles to try to keep bugs and debris from clogging the fins or holing it. I try to get a large hole size that will still allow air to flow through mesh like say 3 - 4mm squares. I have seen some put 1mm square mesh and wonder how the air is getting through trying to push through.