Radiator question, for thermodynamics/heat transfer experts Options

[bondo]

Hopefully I can get some input on this without too much of the inevitable "that won't work" (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

I'm cutting down a large tall radiator into a shorter one.. 1/3 the height to be exact. The 3 layers of radiator will be set up in a cross flow, sequentially. The hottest water will enter the rearmost later, travel across, then across again in the middle layer, and across yet again in the front layer. The idea is the hottest water gets the hottest air, and the coldest water gets the coldest air. This way delta T stays pretty constant.. I'm thinking of it as trying to heat the air as much as possible, which would cool the water as much as possible.

So I realize that cooling capacity will be reduced, as I will be dealing with 1/3 as much air. But then the cooling capacity must be more than 1/3, because it's 3 layers thick instead of 1. My question is what percentage of the original cooling capacity should I be expecting? Would it do me any good to do 5 layers instead of 3? (by adding 2/3 of a second radiator)

The original radiator cooled the same engine just fine, in a heavier car, with an AC condenser preheating the air. I will be running an electric pump, so I will have an advantage at idle.

[bondo]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions.. what a great group! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

While I'm thinking about it, Scott had mentioned the other problem with cooling was thermostat delay/runaway. Apparently by the time the termostat opens, and the hot water runs up to the radiator, cools, and comes back to the engine, it can already be too late.

My idea to solve this problem (and the problem of firewall interference) is to place the entire LT1 water pump assembly in the front trunk, with an electric conversion on it. For those unfamiliar with the LT1 water pump, it has a 2 part thermostat valve. A typical thermostat blocks the cooling water, with a small bypass for the heater. The LT1 thermostat is mounted on the water pump and continiuously circulates the water throulgh the engine. Once it gets warm the thermostat opens and it adds the radiator to the loop. The way I plan to set it up will have water continuously flowing to the front of the car and back.

Question 1. Am I correct in thinking that the return hose (from the thermostat to the engine) should be as small as practical so the cool water gets to the engine quickly?

Question 2. Where should I put the reservior/filler? I'm thinking it should be on the cool side of the radiator, so it can store a quantity of cooler water that will be immediately available when the thermostat opens. There are basically 6 choices. Either end of the radiator, just before or after the thermostat/pump, or just before or after the engine.

I'm just full of crazy ideas! The fun part is that if my cooling system doesn't work, i won't have the foggiest idea which part isn't right... hooray for too many variables!