Where's the weakest link in the chain? I'm guessing it's either the fans or the radiator itself but what makes the biggest difference for a big-cube street motor that's gotta idle in 90* heat all day?

Currently the car has all new stock components (87 350 TPI car originally) throughout the cooling system and it does OK (no overheating), but not great, even with the fans running constantly. Yes, the chin spoiler is in place and in good condition.

 

Well I think it's the stock water pump for high horse motors.

 

Weakest link is the fan relays. Get the newer version from GM, NAPA also stockes them too. NAPA has them under #AR-279. You can also lower the fan turn on temp. You can put in a lower fan switch in for the aux fan control or re-edit the prom. Live in this area also, you can run a 25% coolant 75% water and she will tend to run a little cooler.

 

Weakest link is that damn air deflector under the core support. One good dip in the road and it's gone

And yes, It really makes a difference

 

Didn't on my car. Been off for two years, never seen past 195* EVER; even on a 90+ day driving on the freeway.

 

Do you keep your fan on all the time?

 

Nope, my fan runs about half the time I drive. My fan doesn't hardly need to be ran and the car still stays cool. No one else seems to have this priveledge though. They have to do anything they can to keep their cars cool. I have a stewart water pump, new Modine rad and I always replace my hoses.

 

i am not sure would a relay would do?, but these car were meant to run hot for emissions purposes, i would get a 170 thermo (proven to be the best overall for all weather), a lower fan switch which goes in the block. As long as you have a heathly water pump and radiator, you shold see at least a 10 to 15 degree change, if you want to make sure u stay lower you can get a chip to make the drivers fan come on earlier but thats going to cost some money. Thermo and fan switch should help alot.

 

Modine makes a three core radiator for the 3rd gens early ones i think. i can't remember the # but if you look up the modine 750, its the replacement for the 750. its listed under the 750 as the upgrade. also you can go to napa.com and look it up. Napa has it for 200 but my local guy got it for 170. keps my 383 cool ( granted with a flex fan) and also my 84 HO with electric fans. it runs against the thermstat whenever on the highway. The 383 hasn't gone over 160 since i built it

 

The weakest link would be that you have a nose cone instead of a grill which is the normal entry point for cool air. Thereby relying on an electric fan, which is know to generally produce less CFM than a belt driven fan, and an air dam which is subject to dissapearing.

 

Agreed, the lack of good airflow is the week link. If you were to make a scoop instead of an airdam that would do the trick but were still limited @ idle.

 

What do you mean about the nose cone? I have noticed this solid plastic thing behind the grill of my camaro. Is there any way to remove it? or is that a bad idea/not possible?

 

The original poster has a Firebird which has a solid nose cone or front fascia instead of a grille like a Camaro. I don't know first hand about the inner works of the Camaro but it seems they have a normal type grille in front of the radiator.

 

I have an 85 calif. IROC that I'm building. I'm going to go with the late style speed density intake, and I'm going to convert the intake on the tpi to the Firebird style. Then I'm going to eliminate the airbox, and install a RS grille which I will make functional. I'm going to try to eliminate the air dam alltogether.

 

my bad sorry I thought we were talking camaros.

 

Anyone know where i can get a replacement or maybe aftermarket upgrade for the air dam under the front bumper cover. I had mine ripped off not to long ago and it was overheating so i jimmy rigged one out of sheet metal. Recently i damaged the front bumper cover so i will be replacing it all.

 

your local gm dealer