I'm sorry but that foil looks like doodoo. I'm all for DIY, but not if it totally looks like crap. Especially at the prices you can get these for.

 

[QUOTE=gernby,Feb 8 2011, 09:38 AM] It really has more to do with your usage.

 

Honda is notorious for specing out their cooling systems small (ie. sufficient only for street use). During track use, the coolant absorbs way more heat than the OEM radiator can dissipate at 200 degrees F. The temperature will rise up to whatever temperature it needs to be for the OEM radiator to begin dissipating at the same rate that the coolant absorbs it.

 

I don't care what it looks like at all. I believe the reflective bubble insulation is more effective (much better seal) while also being lighter.

 

[QUOTE=racer_X_123,Feb 8 2011, 07:13 PM] I may also add a portion that reaches under the airbox.

 

A cooling system operates more efficiently when its hot. A heat exchanger becomes more and more efficient as the temperature differential increases. If your motor can take it, running it hotter will decrease the necessity for a large radiator and fans etc as the hotter radiator will bleed off heat much easier than one that is less hot compared to ambient air temperature.

The S2K cooling system might seem "light weight" but its proven on the track and in the real work. I personally wouldnt waste too much time wrapping things up. Maybe get a Moddiction heat shield or something, but leave it at that.

 

"Efficient" isn't the right word. Increasing the temperature of the radiator does not make it more efficient. If there was an increase in efficiency, then there would be a reduction in the temperature delta between the cylinder walls and ratiator fins. When an engine is at very high load, the efficiency will actuall drop, if anything, since the engine will develop hot spots where the coolant boils. This results to a drop in heat transfer and lower efficiency.

The right word is probably "Effective", since higher coolant temps lead to higher heat dissipation. However, since efficiency is not increased, the increase in dissipation is directly proportional to the increase in coolant temp.

By adding a "cooling plate", you are just blocking the path of air that would go over the radiator instead of through it. This definitely has a significant impact on cooling performance. The air coming into the front will tend to take the path of least resitance, so anything you can do to make the radiator be the path of least resistance, the better it will perform.

 

the picture above looks like it belongs on a riced out civic. not a fan of this diy, especially because cooling plates are cheap to begin with

 

I don't think you understand what "ricer" means. Ricers go for form over function (all show, no go). This DIY is all about function, and not about form at all.

 

My H22 Prelude never got over 190* with an all OEM set-up. But I never tracked it and I had the radiator fans kick on at 185*. From my reading, optimal coolant temp. is about 180*.

This is interesting stuff. I wonder how much a higher capacity radiator would help. Along with a vented hood to expel the hot air.