Engine Mods Outrageous Builds, High-Horsepower Modifications, strokers, and big cams for the Corvette

BB radiator choice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 27, 2004 | 12:50 AM
  #1  
stinky's Avatar
stinky
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, Md.
Default BB radiator choice

I'm wondering what you big boys, 500+ cubes, are running for a radiator, my next purchase. Some have recommended a standard 2-row of 1-inch tubes and a few have said that for 600+ hp you should run 2-rows of 1 and 1/4 tubes...any opinions, examples in keeping it cool? thx. Mike
BTW, we're talking aluminum radiators of course
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2004 | 02:36 AM
  #2  
427Hotrod's Avatar
427Hotrod
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,018
Likes: 2,261
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

Obviously nothing wrong with aluminum....but my 540" '67 operates just fine in Houston heat and crosscountry summer highway trips with a stocl 4 row replacement radiator, stock shroud and a fixed 7 blade fan.

No reason to outrick yourself...just make sure the stock stuff is up to design specs.


JIM
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2004 | 08:14 AM
  #3  
ML67's Avatar
ML67
Burning Brakes
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 922
Likes: 164
From: Hudson NH
Default

Same here -- factory C/B 4-row radiator w/ factory clutch fan. No cooling problems idling, traffic or highway. I've found the factory foam seals to be helpful and I've added the AC rubber flapper to help direct more air thru the radiator.

Don't ignore the importance of your state of tune on cooling. SWC Duke has previously described the effects of tune, particularly ignition timing, on cooling. It has been my experience that a big block in good tune does not need any special tricks to maintain adequate cooling.

Good luck!

Mark
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2004 | 07:42 PM
  #4  
stinky's Avatar
stinky
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, Md.
Default

Thanks, Mark and Jim.
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2004 | 05:55 PM
  #5  
JoeC427's Avatar
JoeC427
Drifting
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Default

Here is a Griffin Part# for a Direct Fit 2 Row 1.5" Radiator.
6-874AF-BXX
You won't find it in any catalogs. Accoriding to Griffin they sell these to the 1000 H.P. and above Corvette people.
Summit quotes around 700.00 for it.

I'm not sure if I will make the investment or not. I run a Griffin 2 row
1" now, and because it's cooled off, she will maintain below 200 degree temps.

Over the summer it could not handle the high heat here in Florida.

Good luck,

Joe
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To BB radiator choice





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:26 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE