Different radiator angles

[MIKEY_!]

Most cars in recent years have forward angled radiators to fit more radiator area in the same sidepod cross section (although ferrari now have the swept radiators). However why don't teams angle them in both planes to get even more area? I'm sure I have seen this done before in F1 but i can't find any pictures so if people do have some could they post them here to help explain please?

[skgoa]

First guess: because it would be a nightmare to design and manufacture. Second guess: because they want the air to take a straight path through the radiator to improve flow characteristics.

[riff_raff]

Most cars in recent years have forward angled radiators to fit more radiator area in the same sidepod cross section (although ferrari now have the swept radiators). However why don't teams angle them in both planes to get even more area? I'm sure I have seen this done before in F1 but i can't find any pictures so if people do have some could they post them here to help explain please?

Radiator cores can even be made curved, like those commonly used on GP and Super bikes.



Rather than using complex shapes and mounting arrangements they may just take the easier approach of using a slightly thicker core.

[marcush.]

definetely there are companys building radiators with angled tubes (up to 30°) to allow for non upright arrangement sof the radiator cores .
the question is in what form the flow is hiting the radiator surface-it could well be it does not even attempt to flow through but crossflows would start....just think of the extremely angled rads with the top of the ingoing duct maybe 200mm long and the bottom a good 1200mm no question there will be excessive shearing of the flow as some air will enter the radiator core already and adjacent flow tries to maintain speed to reach the core much later..

[marcush.]

http://www.google.com/patents?id=5A8dAg ... &q&f=false

also interesting ,fresh patent on radiator tube and core manufacture...