L98 Aluminum Radiator

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Mar 7, 2003 | 07:45 PM

Fast_vette89

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Pro

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 638

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From: tampa fl

L98 Aluminum Radiator

It's time to upgrade this little POS joke of a radiator. I'm sick, and tired of it. I've cleaned it, flushed it....took it out of the car and had it in the kitchen sink and was cleaning it inside and out..... NO more. My friends Mazda Miata has a larger radiator...it's like a 1.8L 4 cyl. HELLO GM!!!! Does anyone have any tips on how to go about this....OE replacement style or universal?? a BeCOOL OE style is like $427. That seems to be the best bet for me.... yes it's an automatic....but I'm also thinking about putting on an external tranny cooler. GM really is getting on my bad side. i thought that seperate cooler was for the tranny....guess not...must be power steering. GM better wake the F up. "HEY LETS Make a sports car with a radiator smaller than a miata, but put a 5.7L in it...." (I guess they built our C4's "before" the anti drug campaines....) :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :boxing :mad

Mar 7, 2003 | 11:58 PM

jfb

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 54,124

Likes: 30

From: Cincinnati, Oh USA

Re: L98 Aluminum Radiator (Fast_vette89)

Cool down there Fastvette. Yes the C4 radiator is smaller and the engine was designed to run at 195 and at stoplights the temp will soar to 220 or so. These temps won't harm your engine and yes....the rest of us don't feel comfortable about it either, but it isn't harmful. My 87 has 180 k and the engine is fine. Also, the radiator at the bottom of the cooling radiator is for the transmission. A larger radiator will lower your stoplight sitting temps, but you will get added cooling if you will replace your water pump with one that has higher flow. I replaced mine with a Stewart and my stoplight temps in the summer with my toggle switch turning on the fan is 200 and it quickly goes to 195 (my factory stat) when I get underway.

Mar 8, 2003 | 09:35 AM

No Go

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 3,215

Likes: 6

From: Tampa Florida

Re: L98 Aluminum Radiator (jfb)

And another major factor is there is no engine driven fan...just an electric one that comes on at a high temperature-215 and 230 maybe depending on the year.

I have a very nice Griffin bought from Dewitt's (forum supporter). It is just plain huge, but I also do visit the road course somewhat often...

:)

Mar 8, 2003 | 12:17 PM

LD85

Race Director

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 12,772

Likes: 17

From: Indianapolis IN

Re: L98 Aluminum Radiator (No Go)

How tough is the less expensive NASCAR version to hook up, lots of trimming?

Also, does the NASCAR version accomodate the oil cooling lines?

Mar 8, 2003 | 12:34 PM

Fast Glass

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 871

Likes: 1

From: Westland MI.

Re: L98 Aluminum Radiator (Fast_vette89)

I've got the BeCool radiator in my '87. It is not a direct fit, as there is some cutting to be done on the shroud to make it fit. This thing is huge. I had to go this route when I put the blower on, and that huge intercooler sitting in front of my stock puny radiator would just send my temps sky high. Even with both fans running, the stock radiator couldn't keep my temps below 230. After the BeCool went in, my temps are right around 190-195 driving, and 200 at lights.
If your squirmish about doing some cutting, I would not reccomend the BeCool, but if you want cool temps I say go for it.

Mar 8, 2003 | 08:44 PM

UDLUV12

Racer

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 421

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From: Glen Burnie Md

Re: L98 Aluminum Radiator (Fast_vette89)

Just checked my records, and I see I purchased a new Modine Radiator, Feb. of 2001.

There were no problems with the install. Very straight-forward.

If I'm not mistaken, I had to take something off my 'old' radiator...to use with the new one...but I can't remember exactly what it was. Damn!!

So keep your old one until you get it installed.

My original radiator started leaking after 148K...so it was time to replace.

The part no. for this Modine was: MOD-2051.

Cost was $184 list. I got it for $143 through a friends Radiator Shop.

If I remember correctly, the new Modine was 'lighter in weight' then the stock '86 radiator'.

So far it has performed flawlessly.

Mar 9, 2003 | 01:51 AM

Swaney86

Advanced

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 50

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From: Crestview, Florida

Re: L98 Aluminum Radiator (UDLUV12)

I agree. Just replaced my stock radiator with the Modine. Purchased it through local NAPA store. The only modification that was needed was that I had to clip the end of the drain plug to fit. It is wider at the ends than the stock. Other than that, it was a direct replacement.

Mar 9, 2003 | 09:31 AM

BIG JIM 54

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 871

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From: Costa Mesa CA

Re: L98 Aluminum Radiator (Fast_vette89)

I live in CA so I didn't replace the thermo when I rebuilt the engine. I left it out. With a much hotter cam, 8 degrees of initial timing and the EGR removed it runs around town at 160-180F degrees. On the freeway at night the engine temp stays around 145F. With a lower fan temp switch the fans come on at 200F when I'm sitting in line at the drive-thru. It quickly cools to 180 and shuts off.

Oxides build up in the rad that can't be cleaned because of the AL construction. Just fork out $125 (on the Net price) and your problems will be over.