Radiator and Fan selection

[cjperry81]

Im in the process of hot rodding my inline 6 and was wondering if i could get some advice on what type of radiator and fan set up I should go with. Ive heard some people say to steer clear of aluminum radiators not sure why though?

 

[2+2GT]

Aluminum is very fashionable right now, but the real advantage is weight, not cooling, cooling is a function of design, not material. Plus, of course, it's easy to repair a brass radiator, if it comes to that. A three-row brass with the V8 shroud (the I6 shroud is unobtainium) and 6-blade thermal clutch fan is the way to go. Not a non-thermal, and not a flex fan.

 

[brianj5600]

That is the first time I have seen that aluminum does not cool as well. If you only compare metals Al is not as good. Where Al makes up for less heat transfer is that the tubes have more surface area.

 

[10secgoal]

AL is much stronger also. Allowing thinner and more fins. For less noise and more HP I'd get a flew fan with a shroud.

 

[cjperry81]

Im not familiar with a flew fan. What exactly is that? And how does it differ from a clutch fan? Also are electric fans just not a good idea? Just asking out of curiosity.

 

[pyroman]

What kind of hot rodding are you doing to your 6? Turbo? Knowing this will help pick the correct combo.

 

[cjperry81]

Id love to turbo it but I dont forsee that happing anytime soon. So the setup with be a non turbo that im going with for the time being.