Custom Radiator Project

Send it to Mudder to "Review" lol

 

How much cooler do you think the ICE will run?

Do you plan on collecting data for the stock OEM radiator versus the custom aluminum radiator and share the data in this thread?

 

It will not run cooler if you keep the stock thermostat /

 

Unless, with the stock radiator, you were running it hard enough that the temperature exceeded the stock thermostat's fully-open temperature. That is a thing that can happen.

Not saying I have any idea how much cooler, if at all, it would run with this radiator. That would be a matter for controlled testing and instruments and reproducible data.

 

There you go Azusa, the only thing more predictable than cooler temps from an aluminum radiator are the answers from armchair engineers on Prius Chat.

 

Let's go with the assumption that the coolant temperature sensor is located at the thermostat. If it isn't then things can be slightly different.

Here's a real question so you can help everyone out. Explain to everyone how an aluminum radiator makes an ICE in a Prius run at a lower temperature on those hot summer days or inclines, when the thermostat is what provides temperature control? Are you saying a 180F thermostat knows the difference between an OEM brass/steel/plastic radiator and an aftermarket aluminum model, and can switch setpoints?

Explain what advantage there is to having "more coolant" and (more coolant weight) in a thicker radiator (with the same airflow) in a Prius?
What advantage is there having a 2 row radiator instead of the stock one row in a Prius? What about tube size and FPI?
What advantage is there to having "35-45%" more cooling when engine temperature is already being fully controlled by a thermostat and OEM system?
What advantage is there to replacing an OEM system that lasts 20 years and can drive in the hottest desert all day long with the AC full blast and never overheat, because it is completely within the OEM design capacity?

So for those hot summer days and any incline, the ICE will run cooler.
Feel free to explain this. If a car is experiencing this, then there is a defect in the system. There is NO aftermarket radiator that will make an ICE run cooler, if the ICE already has a properly operating thermostat controlled system.

Aluminum rejects heat almost twice as fast as brass, but it's irrelevant in an automobile cooling system that is already operating within its design parameters. Larger radiators merely have the ability to reject more heat (if needed) under extreme operating conditions to PREVENT coolant temperature from exceeding thermostat capacity.

Let's say Azusa has a 3 ton AC unit at his home with the thermostat set at 72F. It maintains temperature at 72F every day, even under the most arduous conditions. Azusa decides to upgrade to a shiny new aluminum 4 ton AC unit. With the thermostat still set at 72F, will the house now be 70F?

Just because something is bigger and shinier doesn't mean it's better for anything, and may actually have disadvantages. If you want to do a mod because it's shiny and pretty and gives you something that you think will impress people, then have at it and be honest about it. But once again, at least know what you're talking about and understand how a system works. Don't throw a bunch of BS out there, because some website trying to sell radiators or some jackweed trying to make a commission is blowing smoke up your mule.

 

Nobody’s gonna explain anything to anyone’s satisfaction

 

True that it cannot cool the engine any lower than the thermostat set point (180F I think?).

But would it help with lower coolant temps after the thermostat is open?
Made up numbers and scenario: With the stock radiator on a big hill in the hottest desert and the coolant is at 220F, but with this "better" radiator it brings the temps down to 190F, thats still an improvement?
Or maybe in more mild climates it keeps the coolant temp below where the electric aux fan turns on?

I guess this is where doing some test drives before and after with OBD2 to capture coolant temps will show what kind of improvement it can provide..