Radiator Options?
- Thread starter Daron
- Start date
4C FED
Absolutum Dominium
BigAl... said:
Yep, me too.
You'll have to make special brackets to mount it.
Might be best to buy it with the dual Spal's mounted to it.
I don't think you'll be able to hack the stock shroud up to make it fit. I started to, then gave up.
Ran about $900-$1000 with radiator, fans & all the wiring to hook it up.
One thing I remember though was that the heater core fitting on the radiator was located like a stock S-10. I had to send it back for them to re-work it.
Falco
Donating Member
Daron,
I just had to look through all the options we have radiator wise. I could find only one direct replacement from Griffin, but it's very pricey, close to a grand. I'm sure Mike can get you one if you want it. BeCool also has a radiator for us without the engine oil cooler. It's around $500, but you have to fabricate your own oil cooling setup. Beside this it's a direct replacement too... Both of these are two row alu radiators.
With more fabrication you can make fit one of the general alu radiators from Howe, BeCool, Griffin or even Summit. Their prices are from $200 to $500. The problem with them, that our radiator is 31"x16.5", or something like this. Most of the general units are either 16X27 or 19x31. I'm not sure the smaller ones will give you the performance you want and you can't fit the larger one without cutting up/replace the radiator support. You also have to fabricate your own tranny and engine oil cooler with the general units.
One more though. If you go to the custom way, it's a great idea to remove the tranny cooler lines and put the tranny cooler under the bed in the back. This came from BG, but Jesse (HuRyde) has a similar setup too, if I'm right.
BTW, that was too messy for me, so finally I ended up buying a factory radiator. That's it.
HTH,
I just had to look through all the options we have radiator wise. I could find only one direct replacement from Griffin, but it's very pricey, close to a grand. I'm sure Mike can get you one if you want it. BeCool also has a radiator for us without the engine oil cooler. It's around $500, but you have to fabricate your own oil cooling setup. Beside this it's a direct replacement too... Both of these are two row alu radiators.
With more fabrication you can make fit one of the general alu radiators from Howe, BeCool, Griffin or even Summit. Their prices are from $200 to $500. The problem with them, that our radiator is 31"x16.5", or something like this. Most of the general units are either 16X27 or 19x31. I'm not sure the smaller ones will give you the performance you want and you can't fit the larger one without cutting up/replace the radiator support. You also have to fabricate your own tranny and engine oil cooler with the general units.
One more though. If you go to the custom way, it's a great idea to remove the tranny cooler lines and put the tranny cooler under the bed in the back. This came from BG, but Jesse (HuRyde) has a similar setup too, if I'm right.
BTW, that was too messy for me, so finally I ended up buying a factory radiator. That's it.
HTH,
Daron
Active member
Welp, the origin of my question stemmed from the lack of clearance between a bigger turbo's intake and the stock radiator's heater core supply fitting. I had a local shop install a different end tank on the passengers side that not only deletes the tranny cooler ( got a nice external), but also doesnt have a barb for the heater core. Fortunately GM used similar radiator dimensions for many cars, and all it took was a measurement of the end tank and some time in a radiator replacement parts book to locate a suitable substitute. The whole deal cost me 80 bucks, for refurb-ing the radiator, cost of end tank and installation of it.
I just couldnt stomach 700 bucks for a Griffin, though they are likely worth it.
I just couldnt stomach 700 bucks for a Griffin, though they are likely worth it.
Ian Turgeon
Cascading Inspiration
post what application the end tank came from as well.
hamrhead
Donating Member
Daron said:
Hey Daron,
What I did w/ that turbo was notch out a section of the shroud so I could fit an elbow in there that went up, then a flex hose over towards the right side headlight(for the air filter). I also shortened the heater core supply fitting on the radiator - about 1/2 way. It was tight, but it worked for me. If you have any questions on how I did it just e-mail me ---> Hamrhead@netcarrier.com
Later
Daron
Active member
Thanks Mike,
I actually began to mod the shroud, but re-thought it over dinner and some alky.. The shroud still bears the scars.. :lol:
The next day I called around to the various radiator shops in the area and ended up on the phone with a GN owner who owns a radiator shop. Turns out he knew my truck, saw it at the track over the years. He ended up giving me the contact information to a shop that still does the old school stuff. I knew that the plastic end tanks are a cinch to replace, but wasnt sure whether there was an end tank out there that conformed to what I wanted.
I went down Bill Jr's shop and explained what I wanted, and we dug thru his radiator end tank catalog after measuring the end tank. Turns out our radiator end tanks will fit on corvette's and numerous other truck/car applications. The mid 80's corvette end tank he had in the trash bin is perfect if you want to retain the tranny cooler, except for a small mounting tab that can be shaved level. I actually dont know the original application of end tank I have on there now, as I just pointed to it and said "that one." I got the one with the angled neck, and the overflow barb that points toward the passengers side fender,, no tranny cooler and no heater core supply, to get all the crap out of the way.
I sent Greeny a few pix. For the cash, I think it will work out nice.
I actually began to mod the shroud, but re-thought it over dinner and some alky.. The shroud still bears the scars.. :lol:
The next day I called around to the various radiator shops in the area and ended up on the phone with a GN owner who owns a radiator shop. Turns out he knew my truck, saw it at the track over the years. He ended up giving me the contact information to a shop that still does the old school stuff. I knew that the plastic end tanks are a cinch to replace, but wasnt sure whether there was an end tank out there that conformed to what I wanted.
I went down Bill Jr's shop and explained what I wanted, and we dug thru his radiator end tank catalog after measuring the end tank. Turns out our radiator end tanks will fit on corvette's and numerous other truck/car applications. The mid 80's corvette end tank he had in the trash bin is perfect if you want to retain the tranny cooler, except for a small mounting tab that can be shaved level. I actually dont know the original application of end tank I have on there now, as I just pointed to it and said "that one." I got the one with the angled neck, and the overflow barb that points toward the passengers side fender,, no tranny cooler and no heater core supply, to get all the crap out of the way.
I sent Greeny a few pix. For the cash, I think it will work out nice.
