Im looking to replace my stock radiator with an all aluminum radiator. I've been looking on some sites like summit racing and the ones I would be interested in are priced at $300 for just the radiator for all aluminum. I have a 1987 Trans am 305 Carb. I'm looking for something with medium HP range but I also want the option of having more power in future, nothing too big just some small upgrades but that much later in future. I found some on ebay priced under $200 for aluminum radiator and fans included. Not sure what the huge drop in price is for. What would be a good set of radiators for me. I want to have power but i'm looking for power for personal use (no racing or anything like that).

Heres the link to the one I found on ebay, if someone knows anything about it please reply because it seems good and cheap. Also other radiators that are good please direct me to them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-ROW-ALUMIN...FYt6Tj&vxp=mtr

 

Ebay radiator is Chinese. Assembled and welded by the finest adolescent labor the sweat shop can enslave.

 

If the skilled aforementioned slave is good the rad could still be good but, there is no sweatshop that can provide a reliable fan for that money.

 

A quality stock replacement will do just fine.

 

 

Your best bet really is a stock radiator. I bet that radiator is the same radiator that's in the pages long aluminum 3 row "stock size" radiator. Bottom line is it isn't stock size, slightly larger. The first one I bought developed a pinhole leak that couldn't be repaired. Bought another and it's been fine so far. The thread shows that quality is hit or miss since most likely there is no qc. A 30 day return policy is their qc program.

 

A stock Radiator with the proper shrouded fan, a 180* thermostat and fan switch that comes on in the 180* to 190* range is what I prefer and should be good into the 300 to 350 HP range or higher for a primarily street driven car.

Its the shrouded fan, fans "on" switch temp and thermostat that will make all the difference.

With out those set correctly the size of radiator will not matter.

I have that exact set up using a Murray Radiator from O'Reillys Auto parts store and it has a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
That means for as long as I own the car replacements are free.

The first one lasted about 6 years until I over tightened the drain valve stripping it out. My fault.
No hassle,they just gave me a new one.

O'Reillys = https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/m...camaro?q=RADIA

 

I`m in the same situation need a new radiator, I heard nothing but negative issues
on aftermarket radiators. Probably going with a stock one.

 

Has anyone tried the Mishimoto radiators?

 

i have a very healthy 383 and a stock style brass rad. my fan switch is on @185 and off @ 170 something, stock dual fans and a 180 stat, car runs right around the 185-90 area even on hot days.

i agree with Tibo and Midias.

 

Of all the things GM skimped on on our cars the radiator was not one

There's there's a long Thread about them on the board try the search function

 

i could have lived without the plastic end tanks that came on them.

 

my radiator is leaking right where the plastic tanks attach. probably where they all break. stupid plastic.

 

Like Ron mentioned, buy a lifetime warranty and swap it out if they crack or leak.

 

Yes, that's a common failure point. But if that's the factory radiator, that's a pretty excellent service life. Mine still has it's date coded original. 29 years old. How long should I expect a radiator to last? I won't be cussing mine when it finally fails.

I had the brass one in my first car soldered up twice when I was in school. That cars was only 13 years old.

 

I think lowering the operating temperature of the car makes anything in the bay,etc. last a little longer. Taking a new stock replacement Radiator (plastic ends) and subjecting it to our car stock running temp. of 220* and higher is asking a lot.

That same Radiator in the 180*/200* range is going to extend its life considerably.

 

I have a Mishimoto and like it. Fit was tight, but got it in with no cutting other than some light trimming on the rubber isolators and the upper support plastic. No leaks, cools fine on a 2 fan 6.0L LQ4.

 

Which one do you have, the three core or two core? How much power do you think you are making with your LQ4?

 

I have e the 3 core. I'm making around 400rwhp.
Post #6.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-build-ac.html

 

Just ordered my mishimoto. Thanks for the help guys

 

I replaced mine a few weeks ago. its a very easy job.