Radiator Tank Differences

So im looking at getting a new radiator and am cuiriouis if there is any performance difference with side tanks and top mounted tanks.
I know the side tanks use a cross flow pattern to direct the water. Are top tanks strictly cascade?
Call me vain but I prefer the looks of the side mounted tanks.....I know all about the stickys and how ma designed it right but I also prefer the look of aluminum ....The thought of having a modern looking engine with serpentine setup, a Sanden compressor, fuel inection and a radiator that looks like it would work in a 1940 Ford just doesn't appeal to me...
Thanks for the input!

Hey Mike, I believe the cross-flow radiator design is slightly superior. It's something about when the up/down flow radiators get pretty low on coolant (maybe a gal. low) you don't get any flow while the cross-flow ones still have 1/2 the tubes flowing coolant. I guess the cross-flow ones are "5% more idiot proof" since you'd have to never ever look under your hood to lose half your coolant and not know it.

If your total core area of the two types of radiators are identical, then the crossflow radiator is slightly better. However, a lot of times, it's not practical to put a crossflow radiator in a radiator support that was designed for a vertical core radiator. It's much more important to make sure that forced air gets through the grill and to the entire core. A big wide custom crossflow that can't get cool outside air, isn't going to do much if any better than a good large downflow unit.

Most cross flows that I've seen were also a closed system with a recovery bottle. As long as the bottle is properly filled the radiator level is where it belongs. Maybe another reason why the manufacturers went to this design.

One thing that comes into play when changing the radiator style would be mounting it properly. Too low it could make it difficult to get the air out of the system. Manufacturers have done this and it can be a real pita!

Thanks for the replies guys.
Im not above modifying as this is not a restoration, I know Ed has to do some mods on his core support to get it right for his set up.
I was curious about the efficiency differences...looks like I will be using a Champion crossflow w/ 1 1/4" tubes as it looks to be the best fit.
Thanks!