Whats a good heavy duty radiator? My car, 92 z28, runs warmer than I want it to. I have a 160* stat and set the fans to come on at 165-170, and they are coming on. My car just gets to about the 220 mark on the gauge but never quite there and never any warmer. I want it to run nice and low. I have a no leaks and every thing else is fine. I think a heavy duty radiator is my answer.

 

I just ordered a 3 row (heavy duty) radiator from radiator barn at www.radiatorbarn.com. I get it tomorrow and will let you know how well it works (fit etc.) I got a good price on it too. This is for a 90 RS with a 305 but the same radiator goes for the 350 also. I had to replace my aluminum one because it rapidly developed a big hole in it last week.

 

Thanks for the info. I am mostly interested in the fit and the new cooling performance. Keep me posted, thanks.

 

when i replaced my radiator. i went to autozone and picked up a 1 core aluminum replacement radiator.. i have both fans coming on early and it never gets over about 190 with a 180* thermostat.. so i bet it would run cooler with a 160*. and this is with a 350 and auto tranns

 

What exactly is the difference between 1 2 or 3 core radiators?

 

the core # is the number of rows inside the radiator while looking at it from a side profile... most copper radiators have more cores (rows) because they aren't as strong and need more rows to get more surface area. aluminum is much stronger and therefore can have one core (more cores for high performance radiators) with thinner walls..


on most STOCK replacement radiators, copper are 3 core and aluminum are 1.

 

Actually the difference is not of strength but of coolant capacity. The 3 row (core) radiators hold more coolant and thus have a greater capacity to cool. If you look at any of the heavy duty truck radiators they are 3 core radiators. The copper is a stronger radiator because there is no plastic in them. The aluminum radiators are aluminum and plastic. The aluminum has greater heat transfer ability but the 1 core radiators hold less coolant. I got the new radiator in the day before yesterday and it fit great even though it was a little thicker. I recommend the radiator barn at radiatorbarn.com. Free shipping and I got the right part!

 

i need a radiator and i am going to buy mine today at advance autoparts what ever they have for a good price.. i am going in with 200 dollars hopefully i can go in and come out with a nice radiator, a new cap, some coolant, new gasket, some sealer and a 180 thermostat.

 

Yes the stock replacement radiators are aluminum and plastic, but most aftermarket are going to be all aluminum. But the plastic does not weeken the radiator. Ur more likely to spring a leak on a copper radiator where it is sodered to the side tanks then you are on a plastic\aluminum radiator.. I upgraded to an aluminum\plastic and was very pleased..