When to upgrade radiator?
11-04-2016, 08:53 PM
#1
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Car: '91 Firebird
Engine: 468 BBC w/ 8-71 blower
Transmission: Th400
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 2.77
When to upgrade radiator?
How big of an engine can you go before you need a bigger radiator? How much engine will a stock radiator with 4th gen dual fans handle?
11-04-2016, 09:23 PM
#2
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Car: 1985 trans am
Engine: 350
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: When to upgrade radiator?
Why does everybody want radiator replacements. If stock ones work fine why replace. Don't fix what ain't broke
11-04-2016, 09:54 PM
#3
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Car: '91 Firebird
Engine: 468 BBC w/ 8-71 blower
Transmission: Th400
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 2.77
Re: When to upgrade radiator?
I'm asking because I plan on dropping a blown 468 BBC into my bird...
11-05-2016, 02:43 AM
#4
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: When to upgrade radiator?
The more rows in a radiator (thickness) the more restrictive to airflow it is.
That’s why the stock radiator is even a competitor.
In your case, since you will have the perfect opportunity to arrange the fan/fans circuit the way you want it. Including relays and fan temperature controllers if you need them.
I would use the largest single fan you can find/fit with a high CFM rating with a shroud covering as mush radiator as you can.
This will make it a lot easer to have one strong fan coming on at the desired temperature.
I prefer a fan “on” temperature to be set at 180* with a thermostat at 190*.
What I would be shooting for is the sweet spot of 180* to 200*.
There are a few companies that offer fan switches in that range that plug right into the stock location. That would be very easy indeed.
IMO, you really cant improve on that configuration when using "any" radiator you go with.
The most important aspect is the fan “on” tem and the thermostat.
You can install a monster of a radiator with the biggest fan they make.
It won’t make a deferens unless you get those rights.
That’s why the stock radiator is even a competitor.
In your case, since you will have the perfect opportunity to arrange the fan/fans circuit the way you want it. Including relays and fan temperature controllers if you need them.
I would use the largest single fan you can find/fit with a high CFM rating with a shroud covering as mush radiator as you can.
This will make it a lot easer to have one strong fan coming on at the desired temperature.
I prefer a fan “on” temperature to be set at 180* with a thermostat at 190*.
What I would be shooting for is the sweet spot of 180* to 200*.
There are a few companies that offer fan switches in that range that plug right into the stock location. That would be very easy indeed.
IMO, you really cant improve on that configuration when using "any" radiator you go with.
The most important aspect is the fan “on” tem and the thermostat.
You can install a monster of a radiator with the biggest fan they make.
It won’t make a deferens unless you get those rights.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 11-08-2016 at 02:13 AM.
11-12-2016, 04:16 PM
#5
Re: When to upgrade radiator?
How effective a radiator is also depends on if you are using an aluminum head, aluminum pump, your compression ratio, spark advance, how quickly heat can be removed from engine bay, path from outside car to through the radiator fins, etc.
11-16-2016, 04:29 PM
#6
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Car: 89 GTA
Engine: 6.0L Procharged
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Re: When to upgrade radiator?
If you are just driving it on the street, you will never be under hard throttle for long enough duration to need a radiator upgrade. IMO, if you plan on doing alot of drag racing (less than 30min between multiple runs), autocross, or road racing, then you should upgrade your radiator. I have a stock radiator in my TTA (600+ HP) and it's fine because I just street drive it and occasional drag racing. On the other hand I HAD to upgrade the radiator in my 383 GTA because I road race it and am under full throttle for long durations.