Barbs on rad up vs down

[cdn_Madrach]

What are the benefits/ problems with having your rad installed with barbs on top vs bottom? I'm thinking of redoing my loop and putting rad inside case instead of using rad box and was wondering which way would be best.

[cadaveca]

If your rad is vertical...it doesn't matter, as the water will flow up one side and down the other no matter where the barbs are(unless you have a single-pass rad)....if horizontal, you're adding a bit of vertical pressure the pump must deal with(all pumps have a "head" rating, or how high vertically they can pump), and you generally want to keep vertical tubing lengths shorter than the total head the pump can push. This also includes the vertical bits of the rad as well. The more vertical length, the harder the pump will have to work.

[3.0charlie]

No difference in performance. But having the barbs on the bottom of the rad makes bleeding a little more difficult. Make sure you move your case in all directions to clear the trapped air.

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

No difference in performance. But having the barbs on the bottom of the rad makes bleeding a little more difficult. Make sure you move your case in all directions to clear the trapped air.

I was thinking just the opposite.........

If your barbs are up top, you'd have to turn the case upside down to completely drain the coolant out of the rad. If they're on the bottom, the rad will completely drain so long as your drain point is below the rad.

[cdn_Madrach]

Thanks for the quick replies guys...much appreciated. I have the the swiftech 655 pump so pressure won't be an issue and I figured it would probably just be a difference in bleeding. Currently i'ts on the back with radbox and barbs up and was very easy to bleed. I will probably just keep the barbs up..just wanted a little input...thanks again

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by sswilson

I was thinking just the opposite.........

If your barbs are up top, you'd have to turn the case upside down to completely drain the coolant out of the rad. If they're on the bottom, the rad will completely drain so long as your drain point is below the rad.

Bleeding with barbs on top is easier, draining with barbs on the bottom is faster.