Closing off the top of the radiator opening?

[efnfast]

Is there any point in closing off the area above the radiator to try and keep air from escaping upwards into the engine bay, past the radiator?

[michael everson]

It cant hurt. Breeze automotive makes a panel to do just that. I make one for all the cars I build.
Mike

[Ray]

Alex,

That would (could) depend on where you live, the hp of the motor etc. Since we built our car in California's central valley and saw temp in excess of 110*F, I wanted as much air as possible directed through the radiator. Participating in a few parades, driving in stop-n-go traffic the upper rad cover did it's job. I would think that living in the cooler weather as you do, you could probably get away without one, but it does clean up the upper rad area and make the car look more finished.

Ray

[Bill_VA]

The Breeze panel is great. You want as much air as possible to go through the radiator, not around it. I took the Breeze panel a bit further and covered up the top of the radiator.

http://www.humtech.com/4bill/100_1027.JPG

[MPTech]

If you are aiming at an originality look, this is the next step. Looks great! (btw, this is not my build, I just thought it looked cool)

Check out my radiator tab (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/297888-check-out-my-radiator-tab.html)

12440

[AZPete]

Or paint it.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb180/AZPeteCobra/Radiatortopbaffle.jpg

[efnfast]

Alex,

That would (could) depend on where you live, the hp of the motor etc. Since we built our car in California's central valley and saw temp in excess of 110*F, I wanted as much air as possible directed through the radiator. Participating in a few parades, driving in stop-n-go traffic the upper rad cover did it's job. I would think that living in the cooler weather as you do, you could probably get away without one, but it does clean up the upper rad area and make the car look more finished.

Ray

I don't have any issues with cooling - when driving water temps are a solid 182-185, at idle the most it gets up to is 200 (t-stat of 180*, fans on at 195*). The only reason I question it because if it's a hot day outside and I idle up to 200* in traffic, then start driving, it takes a bit of time to bring down temps to 180* and get the fans off. It just makes me feel like the cooling is working, but not at its most optimal peak (I've got a ron davis radiator and dual 16'' spaal fans, so it's as cool as its ever going to be from a hardware perspective)

[CS14]

After I few month on the road I bought the one from Breeze but not because of heat problems. When air is forced up above the radiator and under front part of the hood it lift it a little at high speed and that didn't feel good. No problem afterwards plus it looks much nicer.

[Dan Babb]

The piece by breeze could help..but even if it doesnt, its not that much money, its easy to install and does look good. I have one in black and its a nice addition.

[efnfast]

After I few month on the road I bought the one from Breeze but not because of heat problems. When air is forced up above the radiator and under front part of the hood it lift it a little at high speed and that didn't feel good. No problem afterwards plus it looks much nicer.


Bought the Breeze piece - I was thinking about it and my hood does vibrate and lift a bit at higher speeds (~40mph ... I'm not using hood hinges so it'llprobably happen to me at a lower speed than you) which is probably the air going underneath it.

[CS14]

Efnfast, absolutely! When I started to drive the car more active and notes that the hood rised in front I decided to fix it a.s.a.p.. If you look up in the front opening with hood closed, it's a quite big part of the hood the air will be able to set pressure on. I must say, it feels much better with the gap closed.... It's a lot of air coming in via the front opening and especially with a fan shroud behind the radiator, fan it self, the air will flow the way with least resistance. The Breeze piece will prevent that. Regarding heat problems, I'm located in Sweden so in general we dont have any heat problems but it can not hurt to secure that the air flow goes through the radiator, not above.

[mikiec]

Is there any point in closing off the area above the radiator to try and keep air from escaping upwards into the engine bay, past the radiator?

I have no issues running that way. I drive all summer long here in sunny, hot Phoenix, and have done so for the past 11 years.

[Mesa Mike]

Russ Thompson makes a nice cover. I have one and it really dresses up the top of the stock radiator.

[Doug DiNunzio]

I installed the Breeze panel and it fit perfectly. You can see it in this pic. I wish I had done it a long time ago, maybe my hood wouldn't have flown off the car that day when I forgot to install the hood pins. Doh!

12538

[Tony Zullo]

That panel looks great!! Smooth touch