Hello,
My stock brass radiator cracked and I wanted to get an good aluminum one, Ive hear the plastic/aluminum ones you get form like advance suck and crask easy, and I also know the really good ones from Becool are like 500 bucks. So It turns out that Jegs has "Universal" GM Aluminum radiators, but I'm not sure if they will fit right, I don't see heater return hookup, or automatic transmission line connections on the one in the picture. Do I just need to get to right part number or are they all the same as far as fittings and are just differenent sizes? Anyone tried one of these in a 3rd gen?

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...14&prmenbr=361

 

you heard wrong about the advance auto parts radiator.

i have be running there 118 dollar modine direct fit rad. for over 2 years prefectly fine no problems at all and has a lifetime replacement.

cant go wrong.

 

Thanks, thats good info. The Jegs Universal ones claim to be 50-60% lighter than stock brass, I wonder how much lighter the one your talking about is.

 

its just a stock replacement but in aluminum i think stock was cooper, my stock one was heavy most likely had alot of crap on the bottom of it.

go to advance and ask to see one, i thought it was pretty light for being new.

like i said i have had no problems with them, all the thirdgens i have had i bought that same radiator and no problems.

 

I Priced one out, the aluminum one from advance is only 6 dollars more that the brass one. So unless someone says "yeah the Jegs Universal one part # xxx will fit right in and all your **** will hook right up" I'm getting the aluminum one from Advance.

 

FYI those 118 dollars ones from Autozone used to be modine now there GDW or go ready or something like that, the guy at autozone said its the same company as Modine they just changed there name.

 

According to autozone's website it weighs 19.7lbs. Here's the problem I forsee, at least with my engine. This is the same aluminum and plastic 1 row radiator that say a stock 305 uses. If you are like me and are running a performance engine, and like to use the AC. I just don't see this providing enough cooling power or volume. But please correct me if I am wrong in this assumption.

Because I would much rather spend 118-130 on a new radiator than the $500+ I planned on spending on a becool/griffin model. By the way there 3 row copper model only weighs 2.3lbs more than the 1 row aluminum.

 

Take a tape measurer and measure the radiator in your car. If its 26'' x 19'', 27.5'' x 19'', or 31'' x 19'' then it might fit.

P.S. i mean no dissrespect by my comment. I think the 31x19 will fit

 

I wasn't refering to deminsions I was refering to automatic transmission lines and heater return hose fittings. All the jegs ones look like they have no transmision line fittings or heater return hose connections.

 

The 1-ROW, aluminum / plastic tank radiator that came in a 305 3rd gen, is the SAME as the 350 TPI cars. And in other GM circles, it's actually considered an UPGRADE from factory 2 and 3 row Copper / brass radiators.

The alum version just does a better job cooling.


I've PERSONALLY run a Advance alum 3rd gen ( ordered for a '90 TPI 350 3rd gen ) in car that had a 400 small block. With a 180 thermostat, I could run the AC in 100 degree heat, and the MECHANICAL Autometer temp gauge would hardly every go above 190 degrees.

That was NOT a stock engine by any means.


I've seen big blocks swaps using this radiator. It's the preferred radiator in MANY different cars when swapping in GM EFI setups.


Save you're money for something to make you go faster LOL

 

i think the issue is settled, but i thought id just point out somthign thats funny.


they advertise the aftermarket radiators as lighter.... and when they're empty, they are.

but whats funny is they also hold more water..... and that MORE then makes up for the slight weight diff.... so overall, it makes the car weigh more....

not a bad thing if you need a good radiator, im just saying its kinda stupid that they mention weight at all.

 

Neither autozone or adavance auto carry modine anymore.

Autozone carries
GDI
OPTIONAL - READY-RAD 433918 LLT $129.99

Advance carries
GO/DAN 433918 116.88

Both have the same part number...
Anyone know if these are any good or capable of handling a big block?

 

if you order the one from jegs and it dont have tranny cooler lines then just order a tranny cooler at the same time they are only like $30.00 and its not like it could hurt any. if your planning on putting in a stall conv. or a shift kit then you need one anyways. oh yeah i forgot the size for our cars (camaros) are 31x19 dont know about the birds