Radiator Air Inlet Size for Subarus, How Small Can You Go? |
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Radiator Air Inlet Size for Subarus, How Small Can You Go? |
DBCooper |
Apr 22 2014, 12:02 PM
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#1
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14's in the 13's with ATTITUDE Group: Members Posts: 3,079 Joined: 25-August 04 From: Dazed and Confused Member No.: 2,618 Region Association: Northern California |
We're learning as we go along. I originally intended to put a small block Chevy in my car, so bought the Renegade radiator. At the time they were considered the only sure way to cool a big American cast iron heat pump. So when my son and Jeff convinced me to switch to Subaru we had a big radiator but didn't really know what size inlet we'd need for the Subaru. I had an expendable dented painted bumper, so we used it for the experiment, cut a very small hole in it thinking if we had cooling problems we'd just enlarge it until we had a large enough opening.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1398189750.1.jpg) That first hole was 4 inches tall by 20 inches wide (80 sq in) and right in the middle of the bumper so it would align with the opening in the front panel to give the air a straight shot into the radiator. This is the front panel cutout: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1398189750.2.jpg) To my surprise we never had even a hint of cooling problems. The only time the fans came on were at the first stoplight coming down out of the mountains after thrashing the car. Or in the hottest part of summer coming down from freeway speeds into stop-and-go traffic. But drive it normally and the fans never cycled. I was surprised you could cool 250 hp with that little hole, but can't argue with the results so we never had to enlarge that original opening. It's not the best look though, and I've suspected we might be able to cool the thing just using the opening for the oil cooler in a GT bumper, so I bought a narrow bodied GT valance to mate with a cut-out in the original chrome bumper. I've had other things going on so it's been sitting a while, but then last Sunday my son insisted we put it on. He said he wanted to do it because he wanted to use my bumper and the air dam valance. Fair trade, so this is how it looks now, from the front: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1398189750.3.jpg) Closer: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1398189751.4.jpg) Straight on, from the front, low: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1398189751.5.jpg) And the significant one, from the side, low: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1398189751.6.jpg) I say that one's significant because it shows the real path of the air. If you only look from the front you don't have perspective so can only see the pressing holes in the front panel, and it doesn't appear that there's much opening at all for air to enter. But from this view you can see the space behind the bumper cutout and that panel, where there's actually about a 4 inch distance from the bumper to the front panel and those holes, so the air enters and is directed up and over those holes and into the big cutout above, then into the radiator. There's still what's effectively a 4 x 20 entrance for air, though it's not obvious and looks relatively small. So far I haven't seen any difference in the cooling. Totally stealth, and as the industrial designer son points out, that mass of chrome above the oil cooler hole is something that gives the front of the car some of its 914 "character". And it's also changed the overall look of the car, less boy racer with the air dam, now more understated and serious. If you ever read my earlier build threads you saw my little granddaughter growing her first two little teeth. She's big enough now that she dresses herself, though she still hasn't totally got the hang of that "style" thing. So what does she think about Grandpa's car? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1398189752.7.jpg) I like the new clean stealth almost-GT look. Fun and getting funner. . |
JRust |
Apr 22 2014, 01:02 PM
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#2
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,305 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Corvallis Oregon Member No.: 129 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
My radiator opening is very small on my suby. I was amazed as I have such a large opening on my v8 setup. It cools great though. My fans kick on about 200 & it doesn't get there. Unless it's 80+ out & I'm in stop & go traffic. I have the Renegade LE style valance & no cut out on the front bumper at all. Not a great view in this pic from Route 66. Closest I had of the front though. You can tell the bumper isn't cut though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Attached thumbnail(s) Attached image(s) |
BIGKAT_83 |
Apr 22 2014, 01:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,798 Joined: 25-January 03 From: Way down south Bogart,GA Member No.: 194 Region Association: South East States |
The GT opening is enough to cool a V8 if everything is ok with the cooling system. I've tested my SBC system by covering up the opening on a 100 degree day to see how small I could go. I had the fans unplugged and would let the car get to 230 on the side of the then drive at 50mph until it cooled down to 180 and then reconnect the fans. GT size hole on the blue car.
Bob |
Phoenix-MN |
Apr 22 2014, 01:27 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 927 Joined: 23-January 04 From: ST. Bonifacius,MN Member No.: 1,590 |
I would think you are getting a fair amount of air entering through the horn grills also
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76-914 |
Apr 22 2014, 01:46 PM
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#5
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Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist Group: Members Posts: 13,455 Joined: 23-January 09 From: Temecula, CA Member No.: 9,964 Region Association: Southern California |
Yep, I'm doing mine the same as DB has his. I pick up a paintable bumper at the G&R roast this weekend. If all goes well I will cut the CP bumper after testing is complete. I like that sleeper look.
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roachghia70 |
Apr 22 2014, 11:19 PM
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#6
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 48 Joined: 3-June 04 From: Santa Cruz, CA Member No.: 2,153 Region Association: Northern California |
That really turned out great!
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edwin |
Apr 23 2014, 02:56 AM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 321 Joined: 20-May 09 From: Australia Member No.: 10,384 Region Association: Australia and New Zealand |
Now to see how small a radiator can be used.
My mate is always hounding me to go Subaru power but I don't want to loose the trunk as it is. |
BIGKAT_83 |
Apr 23 2014, 06:21 AM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,798 Joined: 25-January 03 From: Way down south Bogart,GA Member No.: 194 Region Association: South East States |
Now to see how small a radiator can be used. My mate is always hounding me to go Subaru power but I don't want to loose the trunk as it is. 10"x26" Fluidyne double pass radiator. Leaves a little room in the front trunk. The large openings in the front are from a DAPO. I plan to redo this someday. |
CptTripps |
Apr 23 2014, 10:56 AM
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#9
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:: Punch and Pie :: Group: Members Posts: 3,584 Joined: 26-December 04 From: Mentor, OH Member No.: 3,342 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
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thelogo |
Apr 23 2014, 07:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,510 Joined: 6-April 10 Member No.: 11,572 Region Association: None |
My radiator opening is very small on my suby. I was amazed as I have such a large opening on my v8 setup. It cools great though. My fans kick on about 200 & it doesn't get there. Unless it's 80+ out & I'm in stop & go traffic. I have the Renegade LE style valance & no cut out on the front bumper at all. Not a great view in this pic from Route 66. Closest I had of the front though. You can tell the bumper isn't cut though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Call me crazy here.guys but I wanted.to use Subaru power in my teener too But I found out from renegade that the front raidiator setup was the only option I quickly reconsidered , it really put me off the conversion path I was thinking a rear spoiler radiator setup Or the boxster style split radatiors But was told it would not perform correct and would be prohibitively expensive. An how bout those Baja bug and or bus external oil cooler scoop Or gt layman style scoop right atop the hood see por gt1 ??? And for future discussion can I say radiator or aka heat exchanger Pics coming but everybody's seen the boxers " in his genius , misunderstood , as genius always is . " Ty Cobb |
thelogo |
Apr 23 2014, 08:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,510 Joined: 6-April 10 Member No.: 11,572 Region Association: None |
My radiator opening is very small on my suby. I was amazed as I have such a large opening on my v8 setup. It cools great though. My fans kick on about 200 & it doesn't get there. Unless it's 80+ out & I'm in stop & go traffic. I have the Renegade LE style valance & no cut out on the front bumper at all. Not a great view in this pic from Route 66. Closest I had of the front though. You can tell the bumper isn't cut though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Call me crazy here.guys but I wanted.to use Subaru power in my teener too But I found out from renegade that the front raidiator setup was the only option I quickly reconsidered , it really put me off the conversion path I was thinking a rear spoiler radiator setup Or the boxster style split radatiors But was told it would not perform correct and would be prohibitively expensive. An how bout those Baja bug and or bus external oil cooler scoop Or gt layman style scoop right atop the hood see por gt1 ??? And for future discussion can I say radiator or aka heat exchanger Pics coming but everybody's seen the boxers " in his genius , misunderstood , as genius always is . " Ty Cobb Has anyone see the nobles m12 I think it is ? " up in the moring to the risen sun , gonna run all day til the runnins done " |
bulitt |
Apr 24 2014, 01:23 AM
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#12
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Achtzylinder Group: Members Posts: 4,188 Joined: 2-October 11 Member No.: 13,632 Region Association: South East States |
I Plan on just trimming the lower edge of the bumper. Should allow for plenty of incoming air. The bulb lit for me when the C5 came out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) How the heck did they cool this motor? Wheres the huge gaping hole like my 70 Camaro had? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.roadandtrack.com-13632-1398324204.1.jpg) |
bulitt |
Apr 24 2014, 01:27 AM
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#13
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Achtzylinder Group: Members Posts: 4,188 Joined: 2-October 11 Member No.: 13,632 Region Association: South East States |
Now to see how small a radiator can be used. My mate is always hounding me to go Subaru power but I don't want to loose the trunk as it is. 10"x26" Fluidyne double pass radiator. Leaves a little room in the front trunk. The large openings in the front are from a DAPO. I plan to redo this someday. You do such nice work Bob (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) How's about some build threads????? |
CptTripps |
Apr 24 2014, 06:52 AM
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#14
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:: Punch and Pie :: Group: Members Posts: 3,584 Joined: 26-December 04 From: Mentor, OH Member No.: 3,342 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with Bob
I'm working on the radiator the rest of the day, so I hope to have it installed and ready tonight. I just realized that I may have it in upside-down though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) |
cwpeden |
Apr 24 2014, 08:56 AM
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#15
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Great White North, huh? Group: Members Posts: 916 Joined: 20-August 06 From: Victoria BC Member No.: 6,693 Region Association: Canada |
I've been looking through all the different installs as well, in preparation for my subie conversion autocross car. I had plans to install a fuel cell to help lower the CG a bit. Has anyone considered installing the rad where the original gas tank was? Only problem is getting the air out the bottom/side of the car, that could be done with wheel well cut outs.
Hood would look something like this with a cover over the valley aka hood scoop: |
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