Be Cool Radiator is in!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Hesperia California
Be Cool Radiator is in!
Put the new Be Cool radiator in last week. No modifications what so ever to put it in! Fits great, and looks great!
I live in the Mojave desert and it has been around 100 for the past week. Driving with the air on and cruising around 60, its holds at about 195. (My stock radiator did that). Sitting in traffic with the air on, it slowly will climb to about 215-219 and seems to hold with aux. fan going (My stock radiator would not hold it there!). I have fans on manual switch. I guess it is doing what it is suppose to, however I was looking for a little better. A member in Arizona put one in and said that it held at 200 in 100 plus weather. I was kind of hoping for that!
If I can hold it there in stopprd traffic, I can live with that!
I live in the Mojave desert and it has been around 100 for the past week. Driving with the air on and cruising around 60, its holds at about 195. (My stock radiator did that). Sitting in traffic with the air on, it slowly will climb to about 215-219 and seems to hold with aux. fan going (My stock radiator would not hold it there!). I have fans on manual switch. I guess it is doing what it is suppose to, however I was looking for a little better. A member in Arizona put one in and said that it held at 200 in 100 plus weather. I was kind of hoping for that!
If I can hold it there in stopprd traffic, I can live with that!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
Likes: 62
From: San Jose Ca
I guess the '84-'89 is an easier job as I had to modify the rubber mounts "considerably" on my '94 to get it to fit reasonably well. And then there are the two $50 fan assy spacers to install... Glad it went well for you! 
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Originally Posted by MaxLean
I guess the '84-'89 is an easier job as I had to modify the rubber mounts "considerably" on my '94 to get it to fit reasonably well. And then there are the two $50 fan assy spacers to install... Glad it went well for you!
spacers?????? I have the B-cool in my 94 and i don't have any spacers. I had to trim the rubber mounts but that is about it. Do you have an auto? mabey it is diferent then the 6 speed
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
Likes: 62
From: San Jose Ca
Acording to Be Cool, these spacers are required as the radiator core is substantially thicker than the stocker. They span the length of the fan shroud assy top and bottom to space the whole thing about 1/2" back. Without them, the fan shroud hits the radiator core. I didn't try putting it together without them as Be Cool said they were necessary, but it might have worked without them (doubt it though as it looks like the shroud would have rubbed against the core eventially causing a leak). I have a six speed BTW. With the HD electric water pump, things are now VERY tight.
Well, I was going to insert a pic, but I've got it stored locally and it appears to require a web addy to post. Either that, or I'm clueless! I can email it to you if your interested.
As for temps, it runs around 180-190 with the fans set to come on at 185 below 25mph and 190 above 25mph. I suspect the cooling would be better with a mechanical water pump. It gets as hot as almost 200 with the a/c on with 90 degree ambient. Honestly, I didn't realize that much of an improvement over the stocker (which only had 45k miles on it). I was kinda expecting stable temps close to the t-stat opening point, but I guess a 383 requires more.
Well, I was going to insert a pic, but I've got it stored locally and it appears to require a web addy to post. Either that, or I'm clueless! I can email it to you if your interested.
As for temps, it runs around 180-190 with the fans set to come on at 185 below 25mph and 190 above 25mph. I suspect the cooling would be better with a mechanical water pump. It gets as hot as almost 200 with the a/c on with 90 degree ambient. Honestly, I didn't realize that much of an improvement over the stocker (which only had 45k miles on it). I was kinda expecting stable temps close to the t-stat opening point, but I guess a 383 requires more.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
I have the HD WP as well with no spacers and the thing fit perfect. The fanes set back in plenty from the radiator with 1/2" to clear. Heres a couple of shots, the best i could do at night. My car had a huge improvment over the stocker. 177 Hwy, 200 max In trafic 90 deg heat with the A/C. The electric WP is much better for trafic as it flows the same at idle as at 6500 RPM and the stocker will drop to min flow at idle. 
Here is the fan clearnce
Here is the fan clearnce
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
Likes: 62
From: San Jose Ca
Odd, that does seem to fit. It's not so much a cleareance issue with the fan blades but rather between some bosses on the shroud and the core. You may have also positioned your radiator closer to the condensor than I did. They must sell the spacers for something (other than emptying my wallet. They should come with the radiator). Look up the Be Cool radiator on summit and they have a foot note about these spacers.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Originally Posted by MaxLean
Odd, that does seem to fit. It's not so much a cleareance issue with the fan blades but rather between some bosses on the shroud and the core. You may have also positioned your radiator closer to the condensor than I did. They must sell the spacers for something (other than emptying my wallet. They should come with the radiator). Look up the Be Cool radiator on summit and they have a foot note about these spacers.
Now the bosses or vents that you refer to are extreamy close. I did getthe thing back as far as posible and the vents are up against it. Now that you mention the vents I could see where a 1/4-1/2" spacer could come in handy.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
Likes: 62
From: San Jose Ca
They sure know how to charge for them, though. I think they were $50 dollars EACH (can't say for sure, it was a Christmas present). You could EASILY make your own. They appear to be made out of Delrin (sp?), but just about any material would work ok. And even with the exorbitant price, some of the holes were off by 1/8". Be carefull, you don't want anything rubbing against the core. The tubes are thin and it wouldn't take much to wear through one especially if the radiator is mounted loose enough that vibration allows it to move a bit. I know mine isn't all that secure after cutting the rubber mounts to make it fit.
