So you guys want a bolt in all aluminum 3 core radiator? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Justin89Formy · 03-24-2009, 06:00 PM

Ebay store LINK http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Reliable...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

I got mine today. Its a Champion brand all aluminum 3 core radiator. $240 on ebay. It comes with all the proper outlets and even comes with a coolant level sensor installed. Also comes with a radiator cap. I'll know tonight if its truly bolt in or not.

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Justin89Formy · 03-24-2009, 06:00 PM

3 more pics

toxik IROC · 03-24-2009, 06:16 PM

want to know too.

leo037 · 03-25-2009, 12:46 AM

Nice let us know how it works out.

gregsz-28 · 03-25-2009, 03:42 AM

You know what country it's made in? It looks to be of good quality.

85TransAm406 · 03-25-2009, 07:35 PM

And do you know the tube width? I've got a Griffin 2-row with 1" tubes, and i'm worried about cooling and the wider tube one doesn't fit too good IIRC.

Justin89Formy · 03-25-2009, 10:10 PM

Fits like stock! You just have to trim out the rubber isolators and it fits nice and snug. Clears my hood too!

It measures 31"wide by. 18.5"tall and a 2" thick core

Stippy17 · 03-25-2009, 10:26 PM

I cant seem to find the exact Radiator you bought off Ebay, mind giving me the seller's username or their stores link?

Thanks

Justin89Formy · 03-25-2009, 10:37 PM

http://stores.ebay.com/Reliable-Radiator

leo037 · 03-26-2009, 02:48 AM

Nice, looks like it fits better than the Summit radiator i got.

avro206 · 03-26-2009, 07:36 AM

interesting...

Timothayyy · 03-26-2009, 10:00 AM

Looks like a real quality piece. And at 240, the price isent bad either.

Guess if my radiator ever needs to be replaced, I know what to get.

I H8 WWD · 03-26-2009, 11:00 AM

DUDE DUDE DUDE great find, to bad for his low inventory I might not be able to pick one up in time, since we know they fit with very little modifications I think everyone might jump on these.

Justin89Formy · 03-26-2009, 11:13 AM

don't let his low ebay inventory numbers fool you! He has a lot more than whats listed on ebay

I H8 WWD · 03-26-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin89Formy

don't let his low ebay inventory numbers fool you! He has a lot more than whats listed on ebay

Come to think of it, it is probably how he sells them quicker, haha. Only 2 left...until I post more.

Ill probably pick one up after winter 2010. I need a trans first. Thanks again for the find.

Charged350 · 03-26-2009, 06:01 PM

and its a real 3 core ....any temp diferences since the instal.....im tryin to find one for my iroc after the turbo and the intercooler go in i dont want to over heat....

Justin89Formy · 03-26-2009, 11:59 PM

my car hasn't been started yet. Should get it running again tomorrow. New engine/clutch/exhaust/gears etc the car hasnt run in awhile lol

QuickStyle · 03-27-2009, 02:38 AM

not trying to shoot this product down, but griffin did a study on a 3 or 4 core radiator and found that excessive fan power was required to effeciently cool the radiator at idle, and they don't recommend more than 2 core radiators for street use.

do you know what size cooling tubes are in this radiator? they look to be about 3/4", anything bigger i would think you would need to run more powerful fans. i have a 31x19x3 griffin with 1 1/4" tubes and two s-blade shrouded fans, 170* thermostat and have yet to see it go over 175/180* and im pushing 500hp. but i had to do some cutting and welding to get all this to fit. it cost me $295 shipped from summit.

great find on a bolt in radiator tho. i know the griffin and becool direct fit radiators weren't exactly "direct fit" either.

Justin89Formy · 03-27-2009, 08:30 AM

griffin can do all the studies they want. Frankly I don't care. As long as it fits, and keeps my car cool, thats what I care about.

I H8 WWD · 03-27-2009, 11:27 AM

I'm going to have topradman on here make me a radiator of stock size and core and such just aluminum with fans and shroud and top piece. No bigger core, nothing thicker, nothing taller just new and aluminum. Mainly because I don't see me passing the 300hp mark anytime soon. Not until my....

Let us know how it performs when you do get it started again.

Justin89Formy · 03-30-2009, 12:28 AM

just an update:

my buddy just installed his radiator in his car. When he went to hook up his automatic transmission lines he said they were the wrong thread. Not sure if its an isolated incident or not but once he retapped the threads he said it went together nicely.

tony_cogliandro · 04-29-2009, 12:01 PM

what size did he have to change it to? and did anyone else have that problem. and they are down to 214.95 plus 30.00 shipping. it sounds good.

Stippy17 · 04-29-2009, 12:07 PM

I ordered mine today, but I got his Rad/Dual Fan Combo for $400 + $40 shipping. We'll see how well it works on cooling a rebuilt 400.

darkeuphoria · 05-11-2009, 11:12 AM

what about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Row...Q5fAccessories

i need something better than stock radiator for my 383cid 86' Camaro.
help

tony_cogliandro · 05-11-2009, 11:17 AM

LETS SEE 400.00 for the one you found and 214.00 for the other one - yes i want to run out and pay 200.00 more for the one you found and blow off the 214.00 one.

darkeuphoria · 05-11-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin89Formy

http://stores.ebay.com/Reliable-Radiator

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony_cogliandro

LETS SEE 400.00 for the one you found and 214.00 for the other one - yes i want to run out and pay 200.00 more for the one you found and blow off the 214.00 one.

lol

I try to find the 214 one, but i can't see w/fans

Justin89Formy · 05-16-2009, 09:47 AM

This radiator has been in my car for awhile now. It won't go over 195*

1989GTATransAm · 05-16-2009, 12:36 PM

I have the Summit so-called direct fit radiator in my car. I'm very pleased with how it is performing. I can sit in traffic with the air conditioning on full and the temperature gage barely rises above normal.

However the Summit radiator is not a direct fit and takes some work to get it to fit. I believe if you can get a similar radiator that is a direct fit for $400 or less it would be a good deal and worth it IMHO.

Justin89Formy · 05-16-2009, 11:33 PM

yup. Try looking in the first post. DUH

oil pan 4 · 05-17-2009, 03:31 PM

My car came stock with a 3 core copper brass when it started leaking I bought a drop in replacemet 3 core copper brass from advanced auto parts for under $200 with shipping last year.
It was a "custom order".
The "stock radiator" that they had in stock was a$100 2 core aluminum.

Justin89Formy · 05-17-2009, 06:36 PM

the aluminum 2 core probably cools a little better, and weighs less. My car had the 3 core copper/brass but now has a 3 core aluminum.

oil pan 4 · 05-17-2009, 07:19 PM

I wouldn't go from a 3 core to a 2 core in my climate.
I don't see any point saving weight if I am going to over heat. From what I remember the 2 core replacement I found was a whole 1 inch thick and the 3 core is 2 inches thick. Saving weight had crossed my mind, but I passed.
I would pay $240 for that 3 core aluminum item.

Justin89Formy · 05-17-2009, 10:30 PM

I live further south than you...I know all about the heat. I'd still go with a 2 aluminum row over 3 copper/brass row. Aluminum cools much more efficiently.

crytical point · 05-18-2009, 04:56 PM

^^^^ I agree my LS1 radiator cools alot better than my old 3 core

oil pan 4 · 05-18-2009, 05:29 PM

The 3 core copper brass worked flaw lessly when I lived in texas.
I would have bought a 3 core aluminum when I need a new radiator but I could not find any thing as affordable as $240. I was looing at over a $100 jump to go from copper brass to aluminium. $240 is good.

Justin89Formy · 06-18-2009, 03:20 PM

just an update. I just took my car with 500 miles on it, on a 3k mile round trip for the Hot Rod Power Tour. It was decently cool out, and the car never saw north of 190* wether driving or in stop and go traffic in chicago.

On my way home it was around 85ish degrees and in stop and go traffic my car only got to 210*, and that is with one of my fans NOT working. I fully expect the car to run around 200 degrees in stop and go traffic in the southern summer heat.

Very good radiator...love it!

Justin89Formy · 06-18-2009, 03:28 PM

just an update. I just took my car with 500 miles on it, on a 3k mile round trip for the Hot Rod Power Tour. It was decently cool out, and the car never saw north of 190* wether driving or in stop and go traffic in chicago.

On my way home it was around 85ish degrees and in stop and go traffic my car only got to 210*, and that is with one of my fans NOT working. I fully expect the car to run around 200 degrees in stop and go traffic in the southern summer heat.

Very good radiator...love it!

Reid Fleming · 06-18-2009, 04:04 PM

Let us know how it works when you have the other fan working. 200° is what I run with the stock radiator and fans in Houston afternoon log jammed traffic. Granted, I'm also not running anywhere near 370 HP.

84 z28 · 06-18-2009, 04:31 PM

I just bought one of these today. For $200 plus shipping. There a killer deal.

bluegrassz · 06-18-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin89Formy

just an update. I just took my car with 500 miles on it, on a 3k mile round trip for the Hot Rod Power Tour.

I saw were the tour was stopping in Somerset KY, then to London to hit I-75 to got to Bristol. I live in London ky and had to miss everything.

Oh well, maybe next time.

Justin89Formy · 06-18-2009, 05:25 PM

Can we get this thread stickied?

Reid Fleming · 06-18-2009, 11:20 PM

I agree on the sticky. The pics are amazing. That really does fit in there quite nicely. I didn't know there was such a thing as a high perf. radiator that fit our cars. Radiators tend to rival long tube headers for install fitment. But yours looks great.

BadaPwned · 06-20-2009, 03:37 PM

I had ordered my rad last weekend, just finished installing my 3 core alum with the fan / shroud package. Total was $430 shipped. It was a direct bolt in. The only thing I had to do was take out the rubber mounts to make it fit.

But....I am still over heating......so....new rads cant solve everything.....

Guess im going to have to buy a new pump......

Reid Fleming · 06-20-2009, 04:07 PM

Do you know how many amps the fans use? Are they much noisier than the stock fans?

Justin89Formy · 06-20-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadaPwned

I had ordered my rad last weekend, just finished installing my 3 core alum with the fan / shroud package. Total was $430 shipped. It was a direct bolt in. The only thing I had to do was take out the rubber mounts to make it fit.

But....I am still over heating......so....new rads cant solve everything.....

Guess im going to have to buy a new pump......

sucks ur still overheating, but it sounds like something else is bad. Do you still have your air dam under the car?

BadaPwned · 06-20-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin89Formy

sucks ur still overheating, but it sounds like something else is bad. Do you still have your air dam under the car?

Ya, heres my new thread,

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/co...ting-need.html (Mild 355 Overheating, need some help.)

Another guy form a diff. forum had suggested maybe the wrong rotation pump is on. Thats what im checking into right now....

BadaPwned · 06-20-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reid Fleming

Do you know how many amps the fans use? Are they much noisier than the stock fans?

There rated for 80 watts a peice...you can do the math.

There probably not much louder then stock. I cant even hear them over my loud exhaust though.....

ponusa · 06-23-2009, 03:46 PM

http://www.radiatorexpress.com/produ...aia_id=1251795

Check it out and tell me what you think

1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM - 5.7 liter V8 RADIATOR All Aluminum Replacement

This OEM quality ALL ALUMINUM, WITH NO PLASTIC replacement radiator comes to you factory direct from 1 of 48 Radiator Express locations. It is guaranteed to fit and adhere to the standards for your specific vehicle. It comes with our Lifetime Express Warranty and is a great internet buy!
NOTE: This all aluminum is a 2 row capacity in all aluminum format.
CORE SIZE: 26-1/4 x 17-3/8 x 1-3/4

Your Online Price: $159.95
Retail Price $250.00

Justin89Formy · 06-23-2009, 04:05 PM

might be a direct fit, but its definitely smaller than mine. Mine is

31" wide x 18.5" tall and a 2" thick core

vs.

26-1/4" wide x 17-3/8" tall and a 1-3/4" thick core

so you're losing a bit of capacity on a car that could prob use all the capacity it can get.

I H8 WWD · 06-23-2009, 04:58 PM

My only wonder on all these radiators is.

Who told these guys what size the transmission line threads are, nobody seems to get them right and why is that? Everything else is fine as far as fitment, but could not get something as simple as a correct thread. This does not need to be answered, I just wanted to say this. Also this is no rant, I had no expression on my face or mood in my mind when typing this

.