Aluminum Radiators
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: FL
Re: Aluminum Radiators (corvette4life)
I use a Griffin custom fit. Top quality hardware! You will pay big bucks but you will NOT be disappointed. My car runs about 140 degrees in normal highway cruising, 160 to 180 sitting in traffic (in Florida with the A/C on), and never, ever topped 200 in half hour sessions of road race track hot laps on a 90 degree day. Note my 1/4 mile time and you can imagine that these were very hot laps.
-Noel
-Noel
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Aluminum Radiators (shamby)
SmokedTires, what size is your Universal Griffin Radiator?? Was it a pain to install?
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mik...ans_in_car.jpg
[Modified by SmokedTires, 8:27 AM 5/10/2002]
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Aluminum Radiators (corvette4life)
Noel Carboni
If you are running 140F you better install a 180F stat or you will screw-up your engine big time. The perfect running temp for an engine is 190F to 200F and the other question re: Rad I run a stock 4-core rad in my 454 with air and I run 180 to 195 with a 180-stat, Just go to auto zone and buy a rad for your engine, it will work perfectly and outlast your Vette all this for $150 to $190 dollars
If you are running 140F you better install a 180F stat or you will screw-up your engine big time. The perfect running temp for an engine is 190F to 200F and the other question re: Rad I run a stock 4-core rad in my 454 with air and I run 180 to 195 with a 180-stat, Just go to auto zone and buy a rad for your engine, it will work perfectly and outlast your Vette all this for $150 to $190 dollars
Instructor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
Re: Aluminum Radiators (corvette4life)
I just put in a Be Cool and love it. Best price I found was from Summit. Just finished the restoration so I haven't been on the street much but it idles at 185 all day in the driveway.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Re: Aluminum Radiators (TerryN68)
I'm running a be-cool custom fit and I'm very happy with it. Cools great here in Dallas. It's pricey at $490, but quality is top-notch. I think you can't go wrong with either be-cool or griffin.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: FL
Re: Aluminum Radiators (73-454)
Noel Carboni
If you are running 140F you better install a 180F stat or you will screw-up your engine big time. The perfect running temp for an engine is 190F to 200F
If you are running 140F you better install a 180F stat or you will screw-up your engine big time. The perfect running temp for an engine is 190F to 200F
I have a lot experience with engines and I run this one very cool on purpose. I have been doing so for years.
Just one of several reasons for running it cool: High compression with iron heads. I prefer iron over aluminum for the strength; iron doesn't carry heat away from the combustion chamber as well as aluminum, but that can be offset by running the coolant at a lower temperature.
Bear in mind I have full control over fuel-air mixture and timing and have tuned it to run best at the temperatures I am seeing.
What, pray tell, is there to "screw up"?
-Noel
