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Originally Posted by PieEyedPiper
are there specific rads that do respond really well?
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Don't forget that the BI rads all have shrouds built in - just with very little plenum - so adding a "shroud" is really just adding more plenum.
You do see a big difference when adding a shroud to a radiator with
no shroud - but then you are comparing the rad without any kind of shroud (so the fan is either right up against the fins and the only airflow is through the fins under the blades - or it's a ways back from the fins and the air also flows
around the radiator) to a shroud with a decently sized plenum. Of
course it works better.
If you were looking for something with more cooling capacity than the BI pro, and didn't have room for the BI pro II, you might think about the "classic" heater core shape 6"x6". This is often called the "chevette core" but, IMO you're better off with the core from a 70's vintage mercury montego (same fin size but you can just cut the inlet/outlet tubes off and use the stubs as barbs for 1/2" ID tubing). Coolingqworks makes a good shroud for cores of this size. Remember, though, that these cores are 2" thick and have significant resistance to air flow. If you're looking for an under-18dB PC, this probably isn't the way to go as you'd need more air pressure than most fans could generate at that noise level. Also remember that heater cores are, by their nature, a DIY solution - you have to figure out the right fan to use on your own.. When you buy a pre-assembled setup from someplace like Swiftech you are also getting their research to match fans with radiator air resistance.
Oh - also there's a heater core database (look through the stickied threads above). Currently (I think) you can only get this as an excel spreadsheet (other links are dead). There are a number of 1" thick heater cores listed - one of which might be the size you are looking for (no 6x6x1 ones, though or all us watercool-for-silence guys would be going crazy over it
)
Oh, and while you're figuring all this out, remember to have fun!