I think you might be right come summer I will have the same issue in traffic, this did not enter my mind as I was more concerened with the high track temps.

Before I started a had a new thermostat and completly flushed out the system lots of times plus the radiator is only a few years old.

If it stays at 190f whilest stopped in traffic I will make do. (maybe a real thermo fan will help not the non shrouded $15 item off a wrecked car I am currently using) if the temp stays at 180F whilst driving with no fan surely the cooling system is working fine and with a good thermo it should keep the temp down whilst stopped. I will have to wait and see.

I also forgot to mention that the "bash plate" is is definatly in use, I had figured that this was a integral part.

The insulation is called aeroflex I used 15mm internal diameter which is the same as what aircon guys use. you will be able to buy it at any plumbing supply centre.

oh and L18_B110 if you don't mind I was wondering if you managed to sell the ca18 1200 coupe. I would love to have got that car and raced it here in the sprints and later in ipra. I think those pics of it at mt cotton will stay in my head for a long time. maybe at another time I will have the oportunity to buy it
dreaming aaaaaaahhh.