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Radiator flow restrictor

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Old 10-29-2008, 02:21 PM
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Default Radiator flow restrictor

Looking for a flow restrictor to put inline with probably the lower radiator hose. I've seen them before on race cars, they're usually an hour glass shaped fitting that you install in the middle of a rad hose by cutting the hose and clamping it in. Anyone know of such an animal?

My 91 is doing better on these cold days with the new thermostat, but I wouldn't mind making it warm up a tad bit quicker.
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Old 10-29-2008, 02:27 PM
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why not just tie a sheet of aluminum in front of 1/4 - 1/2 the face of the radiator?
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Old 10-29-2008, 02:35 PM
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Heck... a piece of cardboard would do the job for a decent amount of time.

Personally though, I'd just deal with the slightly longer warmup time... than limit my cooling system.
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Old 10-29-2008, 02:40 PM
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I wonder what effect a restrictor would have on the water pump?
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Old 10-29-2008, 02:44 PM
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Throw a sheet of cardboard in the mouth and zip tie an old ragged bunny to the license plate holder like the garbage trucks do in the winter.
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Old 10-29-2008, 03:19 PM
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or a larger intercooler
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Old 10-29-2008, 04:26 PM
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My fluidyne doesn't allow my Integra to have a heater during the winter. Too lazy to deal w/ blocking off air.
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Old 10-29-2008, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by kenzo42
My fluidyne doesn't allow my Integra to have a heater during the winter. Too lazy to deal w/ blocking off air.
What the hell do you need heat for in Cali? If I lived out there I would have removed the heater core along with my a/c.
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Old 10-29-2008, 06:51 PM
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You don't want to block the radiator with a sheet of anything ideally. What are you doing? You are blocking air from flowing through it. What else will be blocked if you do that?

DING DING DING DING

Air flow through your intercooler.

Bad idea, or at least a compromise.

As far as damage to the water pump. No. It's not like the pump will be spinning dry. Plus you will still have water flow from the back of the head through the mixing manifold to the water pump.
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Old 10-29-2008, 06:58 PM
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If you find a suitable restrictor I am interested too. I might just make something though.
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Old 10-29-2008, 07:01 PM
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What about getting a cap rated at a different pressure, wouldn't that be able to reduce the overall efficiency of the cooling system for the winter months? I think Jay was referring to putting some extra stress on the pump, kinda like putting your thumb over the end of a hose and turning it on...increases the pressure/stress in the hose.
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Old 10-29-2008, 07:02 PM
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Maybe something on this page would work? Water Outlet Restrictors - summitracing.com
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Old 10-29-2008, 07:02 PM
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I vote you hack off the top of a soda bottle.
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Old 10-29-2008, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by KPLAFIN
What about getting a cap rated at a different pressure, wouldn't that be able to reduce the overall efficiency of the cooling system for the winter months? I think Jay was referring to putting some extra stress on the pump, kinda like putting your thumb over the end of a hose and turning it on...increases the pressure/stress in the hose.
Wouldn't that just allow more to blow off into the overflow tank?
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Old 10-29-2008, 07:06 PM
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Find a 1.25" fender washer, drill out the center how big you want it and jam it into the rad hose.
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Old 10-29-2008, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by paul
Wouldn't that just allow more to blow off into the overflow tank?
Not really sure to be honest. I just know people up the pressure to increase the cooling efficiency and that a bad cap can give you problems so maybe a lower pressure would raise temps in the winter? Could be way off , I'll see if I can't find any info from anyone that's ever tried.
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Old 10-29-2008, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by KPLAFIN
What the hell do you need heat for in Cali? If I lived out there I would have removed the heater core along with my a/c.
It's getting pretty chilly up here in Monterey.
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Old 10-29-2008, 11:30 PM
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are you a permanent resident now here in cali?
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Old 10-29-2008, 11:43 PM
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damn i'm gonna have to rethink my whole cooling system over. In Miami, its was only how cool to goet it (90/10mix, lower temp therm, etc), gonna be moving back to NY in a month...gotta think bout winter now too.....ugh and maybe storage, fawk
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Old 10-29-2008, 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Flippy02
are you a permanent resident now here in cali?
semi
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