[H22A_CD5]

Originally Posted by evertp1

would purchasing a smaller (smaller in terms of width not thickness) radiator to allow more air to flow into the engine bay be a good idea??

In my opinion, i dont think it would produce any noticable difference. considering the radiator produces much less heat than the engine block itself or the header/exhaust. plus the potential of losing dependability is not something i take lightly. Additionally you would have to fabricate mounts, re-route hoses, and if your car is an auto, you would have to work out something else to use as a transmission cooler (inside your stock radiator).

Rather than a smaller radiator i would consider putting a very small spacer on the bolts of the hood brackets. small enough just so it would break the rubber seal at the base of the hood (by the windshield). About a quarter or half of an inch would be barely noticable, but enough to break the seal. It does make a considerable difference. Example: leave your car, on a hot summer day, sitting in the sun for a long time with all the windows closed. then do the same with the sunroof cracked. the temperature will be 15 to 20 degrees cooler that the first. Then throw in the fact that the car will be moving, the increased airflow will make it even cooler. because with hood closed the engine bay is very much sealed against outside air, much like the vortex created in the bed of a truck. but if you give it a way to escape it will be much cooler. not to mention it allows the heat to escape from the hottest area of the engine bay. Making the rest that much cooler.

and that my friends, is my 3 cents.