VIPERRACING
New member
Just wondering what you guys are using for replacement radiators. Thanks.
What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
- Thread starter VIPERRACING
- Start date
Tooky
Serious about performance
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
I would stick with a stock replacement and the stock clutch fan if you want the coolest and most consistent temperatures. This site is a great resource for boning up on your radiator knowledge (even though it pertains to V8 S10s) https://shell7.tdl.com/~jags/Pages/Parts_S10-V8-Radiator.html
He's got photos of which designs work best, and how to identify them by looking at them, so you know what you're getting.
And above all, he agrees with me that a big aluminum "racing" radiator is actually worse for cooling then a stock radiator.
I would stick with a stock replacement and the stock clutch fan if you want the coolest and most consistent temperatures. This site is a great resource for boning up on your radiator knowledge (even though it pertains to V8 S10s) https://shell7.tdl.com/~jags/Pages/Parts_S10-V8-Radiator.html
He's got photos of which designs work best, and how to identify them by looking at them, so you know what you're getting.
And above all, he agrees with me that a big aluminum "racing" radiator is actually worse for cooling then a stock radiator.
Robert Lone
MUTANT
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
He's right and wrong.
For stock driving, the stocker is best.
For hammering, I would suggest a Griffin. Around $185 for any size radiator you want.
JMHO........ :tup:
"Opinion" on my part...Tooky said:I would stick with a stock replacement and the stock clutch fan if you want the coolest and most consistent temperatures. This site is a great resource for boning up on your radiator knowledge (even though it pertains to V8 S10s) https://shell7.tdl.com/~jags/Pages/Parts_S10-V8-Radiator.html
He's got photos of which designs work best, and how to identify them by looking at them, so you know what you're getting.
And above all, he agrees with me that a big aluminum "racing" radiator is actually worse for cooling then a stock radiator.
He's right and wrong.
For stock driving, the stocker is best.
For hammering, I would suggest a Griffin. Around $185 for any size radiator you want.
JMHO........ :tup:
cloneman315
Active member
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
99 s10 radiator is what i use at it works very well truck never goes over 160 ,but also have a edelbrock pump and 2 electric fans.
99 s10 radiator is what i use at it works very well truck never goes over 160 ,but also have a edelbrock pump and 2 electric fans.
Bad Ass Black Trucks
New member
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
On a V8 Application I would have to disagree. He did one conversion with a "big aluminum" radiator mounted right against the front of the motor. In the picture it looks like there is less than one inch clearance. Any radiator mounted that close to the motor would not perform well. There has to be adequate clearance for air to exit the radiator. With things that tight, there is very little pressure drop behind the radiator and thus very little motivation for air to go through the radiator.
I have a 3" Aluminum radiator in my 383 Sonoma. But I notched the core support for the radiator cap and was able to snug it right up to the AC Condensor. There is about four inches of clearance between the accessories and the radiator. It runs at 180 all day with two 12" pusher e-fans.
Now on a SyTy I am not an authority. You would have to have alternate oil and tranny coolers, which gives you an opportunity to upgrade but will increase costs. You should also keep in mind that the stock engine driven fan is huge, so don't skimp if you are converting to e-fans. I have a variable pitch 15" direct drive fan that I have sitting around that I'm going to throw it on at some point just to see how it does.
Tooky said:And above all, he agrees with me that a big aluminum "racing" radiator is actually worse for cooling then a stock radiator.
On a V8 Application I would have to disagree. He did one conversion with a "big aluminum" radiator mounted right against the front of the motor. In the picture it looks like there is less than one inch clearance. Any radiator mounted that close to the motor would not perform well. There has to be adequate clearance for air to exit the radiator. With things that tight, there is very little pressure drop behind the radiator and thus very little motivation for air to go through the radiator.
I have a 3" Aluminum radiator in my 383 Sonoma. But I notched the core support for the radiator cap and was able to snug it right up to the AC Condensor. There is about four inches of clearance between the accessories and the radiator. It runs at 180 all day with two 12" pusher e-fans.
Now on a SyTy I am not an authority. You would have to have alternate oil and tranny coolers, which gives you an opportunity to upgrade but will increase costs. You should also keep in mind that the stock engine driven fan is huge, so don't skimp if you are converting to e-fans. I have a variable pitch 15" direct drive fan that I have sitting around that I'm going to throw it on at some point just to see how it does.
4C FED
Absolutum Dominium
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
Yeah, I might disagree about the big aluminum radiator being worse.
In the Sy I have a Griffin 3" core with dual 11" SPAL fans. It was considerably more than $185, more like $900.
Last time the SY ran, I never saw any increase in temps with a 140 deg. thermostat & 2.5" core front mount air/air IC.
Yeah, I might disagree about the big aluminum radiator being worse.
In the Sy I have a Griffin 3" core with dual 11" SPAL fans. It was considerably more than $185, more like $900.
Last time the SY ran, I never saw any increase in temps with a 140 deg. thermostat & 2.5" core front mount air/air IC.
92Typhoon1679
Member
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
I dont know i have a big 3 core race radiator with dual 10" fans and my truck actually runs a little cool but when it comes up to temp its Great, ive had 2 Factory radiator split on the plastic sides. but the factory radiaor is good but if im spending money on my truck might as well upgrade.
I dont know i have a big 3 core race radiator with dual 10" fans and my truck actually runs a little cool but when it comes up to temp its Great, ive had 2 Factory radiator split on the plastic sides. but the factory radiaor is good but if im spending money on my truck might as well upgrade.
Don W.
Stab it and steer it
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
Interesting. Something that needs to be remembered and that nobody thinks about is sealing the radiator to the support especially keeping that rubber flap across the top where the hood sits. Reason being to prevent recirculation of hot, engine compartment, air back to the front of the radiator. Obviously reducing its efficiency considerably. May sound strange but if you're gonna modify the stock setup you need to consider this.
Interesting. Something that needs to be remembered and that nobody thinks about is sealing the radiator to the support especially keeping that rubber flap across the top where the hood sits. Reason being to prevent recirculation of hot, engine compartment, air back to the front of the radiator. Obviously reducing its efficiency considerably. May sound strange but if you're gonna modify the stock setup you need to consider this.
Tooky
Serious about performance
Re: What Is The Best Radiator To Buy?
Hey guys - thanks for posting your experiences. It definitely sounds like the aluminum racing radiators CAN be made to work!! However I'm still not convinced they are superior to a stock radiator. The hottest mine ever got (with the A/C off) was 181* after 14 minutes of constant road course racing at 40-120 MPH. It's a lot cooler during drag racing - 158-169*.
You guys had me second-guessing myself so I contacted my friend with the $3000 custom DeQuick HUGE racing aluminum radiator/A2A combo, and he said:
Those parts were professionally installed by a well known SyTy shop, but Don W's comments have got me wondering whether or not this shop did a proper job of shrouding the radiator...
The bottom line for me is that (in my opinion again), the stock radiator is guaranteed to work and to cool your truck properly under every condition I have experienced. Aluminum racing radiators can cost up to $900 (or $3000 with an A2A) and the performance is a crap shoot. Flame Suit On!
Hey guys - thanks for posting your experiences. It definitely sounds like the aluminum racing radiators CAN be made to work!! However I'm still not convinced they are superior to a stock radiator. The hottest mine ever got (with the A/C off) was 181* after 14 minutes of constant road course racing at 40-120 MPH. It's a lot cooler during drag racing - 158-169*.
You guys had me second-guessing myself so I contacted my friend with the $3000 custom DeQuick HUGE racing aluminum radiator/A2A combo, and he said:
Those parts were professionally installed by a well known SyTy shop, but Don W's comments have got me wondering whether or not this shop did a proper job of shrouding the radiator...
The bottom line for me is that (in my opinion again), the stock radiator is guaranteed to work and to cool your truck properly under every condition I have experienced. Aluminum racing radiators can cost up to $900 (or $3000 with an A2A) and the performance is a crap shoot. Flame Suit On!