C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tilting radiator backwards

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 02:44 PM
  #1  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default Tilting radiator backwards

Assuming electric fans on the radiator. How much could you tilt the radiator backwards (= to the motor) ? I think this might be usefull to gain clearance between the radiator and the radiator support on top to get a air inlet tube of 3.5" to pass through the opening.

Thanks
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 06:11 PM
  #2  
commander_47's Avatar
commander_47
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
Default

Kind of an odd question.

Your biggest issue initially is the fan and shroud. The fan on the motor only has about 1/4 inch clearance with the shroud.

Tipping it back then involves making sure enough coolant gets through the radiator.

Finally, in my humble opinion, you have to worry about sealing the area around the radiator. You still need to get as much air through it as possible.

I wouldn't think laying it down would help with cooling at all.

Just my 2 cents worth.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 06:16 PM
  #3  
Amorget's Avatar
Amorget
Pro
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 27
Default

The electric fans solve the fan/shroud issue (as he said, assuming electric fans).

Are C3s really that close to the tipping point as a far as overheating? And how would the angle of the radiator affect coolant flow? I've seen radiators mounted basically flat in some off-road trucks.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 06:23 PM
  #4  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default

Not sure, but I do not think tilting it backwards at the top approx. 1" makes a difference in the water circulating. This is a closed system with a coolant tank.

The limit seems to be the proximity of the A-arm bushings.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 07:16 PM
  #5  
74modified's Avatar
74modified
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
Default

I know you are looking at running the CAI to the front. If you don't mind changing a few things, here are a couple of ways that come to mind:
Lower the rad and tilt it back a bit. Maybe even a shorter rad but in aluminum to make up the efficiency.
Use a narrower rad and run the CIA to one side. Maybe just enough to have two 2" tubes, or an oval tube merge into your 3.5".
Of course you would need to make changes to the radiator core support, and have your pressure tank, (or some point), as a way to bleed air if the rad is not the high point of the system.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 07:47 PM
  #6  
7t2vette's Avatar
7t2vette
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Default

An easier option would be to use a cut down rad like the supercharger crowd uses to provide clearance over top of it. Like this:






Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 10:37 PM
  #7  
Lt1er's Avatar
Lt1er
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 1
From: Reno nevada
Default

I would tilt it back....... electric fans and some kind of cold air induction system. Look at what they do on real race cars?

The shorter rad is a novel idea
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 12:04 AM
  #8  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

It's ugly/experimental......but it works.......





But I like your idea and the looks of a rectangular induction plenum going over the top of the radiator to the air cleaner better.....and since Bubba already cut the top off my project-radiator-support........!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 03:56 AM
  #9  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
It's ugly/experimental......but it works.......





But I like your idea and the looks of a rectangular induction plenum going over the top of the radiator to the air cleaner better.....and since Bubba already cut the top off my project-radiator-support........!
Do you still have enough cooling capacity with that small radiator ?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 03:58 AM
  #10  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default

Originally Posted by 7t2vette
An easier option would be to use a cut down rad like the supercharger crowd uses to provide clearance over top of it. Like this:






that sure is interesting. Was it bought right out or modified ? Were is the radiatorcap ?

doesn't look like a direct replacement in view of the placement of the connections for the tube though.

I'm going to have a conversation with the radiator shop today about something like that.

What fans would you use with it ?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 10:18 AM
  #11  
Amorget's Avatar
Amorget
Pro
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 27
Default

I think that example radiator posted is for a C5. Not sure anyone makes a drop in one for the C3, though Dewitts could probably help you with that.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 10:40 AM
  #12  
7t2vette's Avatar
7t2vette
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Default

Originally Posted by Belgian1979vette
that sure is interesting. Was it bought right out or modified ? Were is the radiatorcap ?

doesn't look like a direct replacement in view of the placement of the connections for the tube though.

I'm going to have a conversation with the radiator shop today about something like that.

What fans would you use with it ?
That rad is for a c5 or c6 with a supercharger....but it is a pretty simple thing to have made by a place like Dewitts or a similar business.

As for fans, the dual 11" spals should work with a modded or custom shroud.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 07:34 PM
  #13  
Tom@Dewitt's Avatar
0Tom@Dewitt
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Default

That one is not ours (White epoxy) but we do offer cut down C5 and C6 radiator for the purpose of SC or turbo. We could do the same thing for C3 Rads if anyone wanted it.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 09:00 PM
  #14  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by Belgian1979vette
Do you still have enough cooling capacity with that small radiator ?
It's a stock SBC cools well with the custom shroud/aux electric fan inside the shroud that blows Only Ambient air onto the engine when it is running.

(Shroud, aux fan, extra ambient ductwork not shown in the above photo)


This is not something I would do to an original engine bay (since I acquired the car with no mech. fan or shroud--I tried the set-up below).........



There are two 4" ducts drawing ambient air into the round shroud.......hot radiator exhaust-air is diverted to the pavement with the downward vented shroud that is in front of the fan shroud. The only airflow in the engine bay is constant ambient air from the aux electric fan----all experimental at this time.

Last edited by doorgunner; Aug 20, 2014 at 10:41 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 03:27 PM
  #15  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default

I mailed Dewitts, but apparently the cannot do it or won't do it. I received no reply.

Any suggestions on an dual fan setup that is not overly expensive and that fits well on a stock radiator ?
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 10:31 PM
  #16  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Make sure the fans you buy supply at least 2,200 CFM or more for an SBC to prevent overheating problems.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2014 | 09:35 AM
  #17  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default

Not sure what a stock C3 1979 alternator has for amps but I assume I need to change to a heavier model as well ? Is there a stronger replacement that fits ?
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2020 | 03:52 PM
  #18  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 2,469
From: Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by Tom DeWitt
Won't the fan pull air through these vents before trying to pull through the radiator?

hi
i think you meant to reply to this thread

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-swap-2.html
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2020 | 05:21 PM
  #19  
Tom DeWitt's Avatar
Tom DeWitt
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,299
Likes: 416
From: Michigan
Default

[QUOTE=interpon;1602486262]hi
i think you meant to reply to this thread

I did, thanks

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Tilting radiator backwards





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:08 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE