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Topic: new radiator research (Read 3131 times) previous topic - next topic

new radiator research

hey guys i need a little radiator advice i need to change mine and i tought id go with something thats may cool and dissipate the heat a little better than the copper/brass one  now i dont want to pay a 400$ one my budget would be in the 200 ish  and all i seem to find is this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PLI-433556/?image=large

what do you guys think its made from aluminum but only has one row  how should it do

all comments and suggestions are welcome!!

also i had tought maybe a mustang rad from latemodelresto could do it

ps  i have an 86 3.8 bird

thanx!!

new radiator research

Reply #1 –
For the price it would probably work. I like how they mention modine style. not a modine just styled like it. If your staying all stock it should be ok.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

new radiator research

Reply #2 –
Brass/Copper is a better conductor for heat than aluminum, however aluminum is lighter.

Most aluminum aftermarket pieces are one row(some are two), but generally have bigger tubes to help them cool better and overcome the inherent differences in cooling ability vs brass/copper. 

FWIW -- you can purchase a brass/copper replacement 3-core radiator made by Visteon (the OEM supplier for Fox body radiators) for under $200.  I paid $160ish for mine.  Works VERY well.  I picked mine up from Pep Boys.

Quote
also i had tought maybe a mustang rad from latemodelresto could do it

I see they have an aluminum one row on there for like $140.  I would assume it would do the job on your application, but I personally am not a fan of plastic side tanks....
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

new radiator research

Reply #3 –
Quote from: V8Demon;278323
Brass/Copper is a better conductor for heat than aluminum, however aluminum is lighter.

Most aluminum aftermarket pieces are one row(some are two), but generally have bigger tubes to help them cool better and overcome the inherent differences in cooling ability vs brass/copper. 
....



absolutely right, not many really consider how large the cooling channels are when buying a new radiator. however, ill stick with the brass/copper rads for reliability and durability purposes.
it doesnt take a very large rock to make your new aluminum radiator useless:punchballs:
"Beating the hell out of other peoples cars since 1999"
1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
1984 Ford Mustang GT Turbo Convertible

new radiator research

Reply #4 –
this is the one that I bought and put in mine.its a little more than you want to spend,but a nice radiator

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-380451/

the v6 and v8 OE part #'s are the same.I originally had the 3.8 but now have a 302.you will have to do very little modification to the rad. hold down brackets but they do work just fine.

you will also need to buy an adapter kit for the trans. cooling lines.they are a diff. size on the new radiator.
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily: 
  [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily:
1983 base model,1969 302 (originally a v6),upraded c5,currently 30,441 original miles.

new radiator research

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Ductape91;278324
absolutely right, not many really consider how large the cooling channels are when buying a new radiator. however, ill stick with the brass/copper rads for reliability and durability purposes.
it doesnt take a very large rock to make your new aluminum radiator useless:punchballs:


Like I said -- mine's brass ;)
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

new radiator research

Reply #7 –
theres a guy that claims he had a garage and is having a blowout sale

he has a 2 row copper /brass for 75$ the brand is autokool but i wonder if i should get a 3 row or 2 is enough


btw do you recal whats the part number on yours V8Demon?

new radiator research

Reply #8 –
I have a Napa/Modine replacement Rad in my car. It's a single core alum with plastic tanks and end tank trans cooler. It was about $130 and has been great with my V8.
1988 Thunderbird
306 HO w/ A9P processor
AOD w/ Transgo Reprogrammer
Full Digital Dash w/ twin Cyberdyne A-pillar gauges 
245/50/16 Tires on Snowflakes
Engine swap - CA smog compliant

new radiator research

Reply #9 –
I can't remember it,but Rockauto has it listed as part #5563....

Price $287...
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

new radiator research

Reply #10 –
Quote from: 88BlueBird;278478
I have a Napa/Modine replacement Rad in my car. It's a single core alum with plastic tanks and end tank trans cooler. It was about $130 and has been great with my V8.

I bought a radiator (factory style replacement) a few years ago,and it got a hole in it.I have the lifetime warranty,and they (Aytozone)gave me the same kind as 88Bluebird,aluminum with plastic tanks as a replacement.It's been great,no worries,and the car stays really cool.Even in above 100 degree weather.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

new radiator research

Reply #11 –
I don't trust AutoZone's radiators/heater cores.  I spent the time putting in one of their heater cores in my old bird and a week later it exploded...i tore it all apart, got a refund and bought a ford unit and never had another problem....I used to work for them and know what's junk and what is okay...I'm still a little jaded.
Project 3G: Grandpa Grocery Getter-'85 Crown Vic LTD 2-door, 351W with heavily ported/polished GT40 heads, heavily ported/polished Typhoon Power Plus upper & lower intake, Comp Cams 265DEH retarded 1*, FAST EZ-EFI, HD T5, 8.8" 3.73 trac lock with extra clutches, 3G alt. swap, '99 CVPI front brakes, '09 CVPI rear disc brakes, '00 CVPI booster&m/c + wilwood adj prop valve.

Parted & Gone-'88 T-bird Sport, 351W swap, ported GT40 heads

new radiator research

Reply #12 –
i know a lot of parts that are sold at Autozone are made by companies that supply O'Reillys,and others.It still works great in the Sport with zero issues.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

new radiator research

Reply #13 –
I have the stock radiator (yeah the 21 year old one :hick:) with a  180* thermostat and a 5.0 Mustang police interceptor fan clutch. It cools my T-bird fine even in traffic when it's 95* and I have the A/C on. The temp gauge never gets past the half way point.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

new radiator research

Reply #14 –
if you want the biggest radiator for your car-visteon, who
in the 80's was a ford  supplier has a 3 row all metal [no
plastic tanks] radiator, part # 138--24x 18 x1-9/16. my
cost on it is 215.00. list is 315.00. this is through my
supplier. i put one in my cougar even though there is
nothing wrong w/the original.looks factory just a little thicker.
--irv:D