Need some help w/ buying a new Radiator

Best technical articles on the forums. Send nominations to the admins. You can reply to topics but only admins can make new ones.

Moderator: Moderators

Need some help w/ buying a new Radiator

Postby jdmrh07 » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:55 am

Been having some trouble with my old 4 core radiator, and decided its time for something new.

"disclaimer:" I did a search on radiators, and found some good info--- but a lot of conflicting info as well--- so sorry if you've answered this before!


stats: 75 Monza, about 425 horse, (and closer to 500 this spring), flex fan: puller, and electric fan: pusher, no power steering, alternator swapped, and its a turbo 350. So, I want to know whats the best Radiator to go with: preferably bolt in & a good price.

Some say, Griffin, Be Cool, Ron Davis, etc. Whats the answer?


thanks ahead of time!!!
- Jonny Monza -

"Ya know... I've never really seen anything wrong with Bell Bottoms..."

'75 Monza Street Machine
'77 IMSA Starfire
'80 Monza Spyder
'85 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z
'88 GMC Kustom Van
'89 Cavalier Z24
User avatar
jdmrh07
 
Posts: 353
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:53 am
Location: Idaho


Postby cjbiagi » Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:52 am

I am very happy with the 400hp Griffin model for my 355. I don't think the 600 version will fit a 75 without modifcations. I am still running the stock 7 blade fan and have very little clearance, maybe 1/2". Cools great though.
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
User avatar
cjbiagi
 
Posts: 8608
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:37 pm
Location: Glenwood, Illinois

1975 Chevrolet Monza

Postby peterpan » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:58 am

i went with a griffin 600 horse monza radiator modified to fit my vega it will take a little tweeking to get it to fit the mounts but it looks great i paid $545.00 shipped

i put a monza lower core support in my vega and will be using a upper radiator mount from a monza wagon
User avatar
peterpan
 
Posts: 1786
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:51 pm
Location: rock springs wyoming

1972 Chevrolet Vega

Postby v8astregt » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:40 am

There doesn't seem to be ONE good answer for this.



That's why I'm going all out and cutting my core support out and fabbing a new mounting system for a 26"x19" 700hp 2 core radiator, and a Taurus dual speed fan. I still don't know what brand I'm getting. That's all I can't decide on, otherwise I'd have ordered it a month ago.



But I'm sure that's not what you're looking to do. I'm just pissed, and sick of dealing with cooling issues so if I have to cut the car up I don't care. What's a car worth to me if I can't drive it because it overheats in 2 miles?
75 Pontiac Astre GT: 406SBC/TH350, roll bar, S10 goodies, down to 11.47 so far, more to come later.
v8astregt
 
Posts: 2789
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 4:13 pm
Location: Gilbert, AZ

Postby jdmrh07 » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:55 am

hmmmm...... I dont know--- I've been looking at JEGS and SUMMIT and they sell a Be Cool Radiator for 500 bucks. It says its for 400 hp max.

Do these ratings mean anything? My old 4 core radiator has been cooling my monza for years--- so that Be Cool Radiator is probably more than adequate. so you'd think, alls you have to do is take some measurements and ANY aluminum radiator should work!

i dont know, what do you think?
- Jonny Monza -

"Ya know... I've never really seen anything wrong with Bell Bottoms..."

'75 Monza Street Machine
'77 IMSA Starfire
'80 Monza Spyder
'85 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z
'88 GMC Kustom Van
'89 Cavalier Z24
User avatar
jdmrh07
 
Posts: 353
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:53 am
Location: Idaho

radiator

Postby candipogo » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:13 pm

there's a company in iowa called universal parts. they also have an ebay store. they have a selection of aluminum radiators in the $165 range, plus shipping. they are 2 row with 1" tubes. they stand behind what they sell and were very helpful to me. i bought one recently for my 75 vega. i am cooling a 383 street motor est. 450 hp plus, with no problems. all these radiators are 19" high. they come in several widths. i had to do a little fabricating to make mine fit but it was worth the effort. and, the cost savings is considerable.
good luck,
phil
phil leadford
candipogo
 
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 5:40 pm
Location: hernando,ms.

Postby ColinOpseth » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:37 pm

'72 Vega with '93 Camaro LT1/M29 T56/12 bolt 3.31. 16" IROCs all around. Sanderson headers into duals with an H-pipe and Flowmasters. It's loud but at least it's faster than your grandma's Buick. pwned.
User avatar
ColinOpseth
 
Posts: 2887
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 9:33 pm
Location: Victorville, CA

1972 Chevrolet Vega GT

universal parts

Postby candipogo » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:41 pm

yes, this is the company i used. call me if i can help.


thanks
phil
901 550 1634
phil leadford
candipogo
 
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 5:40 pm
Location: hernando,ms.

Postby jdmrh07 » Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:01 pm

how much cutting are we talking about exactly?

there are plenty of universal radiators on jegs and summit for that price---

do the horsepower ratings those company's give mean anything?
- Jonny Monza -

"Ya know... I've never really seen anything wrong with Bell Bottoms..."

'75 Monza Street Machine
'77 IMSA Starfire
'80 Monza Spyder
'85 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z
'88 GMC Kustom Van
'89 Cavalier Z24
User avatar
jdmrh07
 
Posts: 353
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:53 am
Location: Idaho

Postby cjbiagi » Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:08 pm

My guess is that the HP ratings are pretty arbitrary. There are way too many factors involved. You are basically talking about a dual 1" core vs a dual 1 1/4" core. I notice on my Griffin that besides the aluminum construction and two 1" rows that there were quite a few more tubes than my custom 3 row one. I believe it was something like 35 vs 28 or there abouts. 7 or 8 more tubes is quite a difference. If you have the funds and you can fit the bigger one in there go for it, but on my 75 Monza there was not enough room for the additional 1/2" or so core thickness. That would have put it right about into the fan.
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
User avatar
cjbiagi
 
Posts: 8608
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:37 pm
Location: Glenwood, Illinois

1975 Chevrolet Monza

Postby djv8ga » Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:15 pm

There's no way on God's green earth that my "600HP" Griffin would cool a 600 HP engine except maybe at the north pole.
User avatar
djv8ga
 
Posts: 1456
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 6:06 pm
Location: Phoenix Az.

1972 Chevrolet Vega GT

Postby jdmrh07 » Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:11 pm

Yeah Clyde, I figured as much; gotta love marketing! And I'm right there with ya, I think a custom fit radiator is the way to go. I'm gonna buy that BE COOL one on JEGS for 500 bucks. I'll prolly be more than happy with it.

you know whats funny? they say their radiators are the best out there and guarantee a 20 degree temperature drop or your money back--- my stock 4 core already keeps it at 180... hmmm....
- Jonny Monza -

"Ya know... I've never really seen anything wrong with Bell Bottoms..."

'75 Monza Street Machine
'77 IMSA Starfire
'80 Monza Spyder
'85 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z
'88 GMC Kustom Van
'89 Cavalier Z24
User avatar
jdmrh07
 
Posts: 353
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:53 am
Location: Idaho

Postby cjbiagi » Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:55 pm

Well, I suppose it also depends on what temp thermostat you have in there. My 355 definetly runs cooler than with my custom 3 row radiator. I have been very happy with it. It also was a "drop in " affair with no real modifications required. I think the Vega one is smaller which is why there may be more of an issue cooling them.
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
User avatar
cjbiagi
 
Posts: 8608
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:37 pm
Location: Glenwood, Illinois

1975 Chevrolet Monza

Postby djv8ga » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:06 pm

Don't get me wrong, I love the griffin rads but to claim a 50 percent increase in cooling by increasing the tube size from 1" to 1.25" is B.S.
User avatar
djv8ga
 
Posts: 1456
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 6:06 pm
Location: Phoenix Az.

1972 Chevrolet Vega GT

Postby cjbiagi » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:36 pm

There are certainly calculations that are used to determine the required radiator size. But the fact is, unless you are willing to cut up your car you are pretty much limited to the size that came in it originally. There are also a ton of variables to be considered, and every engine is different. Climates are also different, grille sizes, ducting, fans, engine variables, water pumps, pulley diameter, actual radiator size..........I could go on and on. Best way to know is to talk with other people with similiar setups, keeping in mind that there will still be differences between applications. Don't they rate all their dual 1" radiators at 400hp despite the fact that not all the radiators are the same size? It's very arbitrary and just a general guideline in my opinion. However, I did notice a significant difference between my custom made 3 row (used my stock Monza side tanks and went from 2 row to 3) and the dual 1" Griffin radiator. It certainly works for me ...............
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
User avatar
cjbiagi
 
Posts: 8608
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:37 pm
Location: Glenwood, Illinois

1975 Chevrolet Monza

Next

Return to Best Of

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest