here is the run down it runs around 240 and really doent like to even sit a t a light for too long and stop and go traffic well i better be close to the shoulder. everything is new but the radiator. i went down to a 160 thermostat. changed from a flex fan to my old clutch fan changed radiator cap. the computer isnt even hooked up anymore. the engine is a .030 over, hi flow water pump, 11:1 compression, edelbrock headers, aluminum heads, .480/.480 cam, 750 edelbrock carb.any suggestions? i would rather not use an electric fan cuz they always seem to burn up on me but if i have to i will put one in if someone can tell me how. its time for me to shut up now im open for suggestions.

 

maybe u have reverse water pump or the wrong water pump.

 

no its not a reverse but whether or not the high flow is causing a problem is another question

 

stock, 20 yr old radiator? change it. I had jsut changed my stocker to alum. b4 i put i my 383, and i couldn't ever get it hot. i dropped in the stroker, and now i run 180* constantly with dual electrics.

 

what is a good rad to get? i want to get a good one that wont break me financially. i want one that is bigger than what i have now which i believe is a stock alluminum. i dont think it is brass or copper. if after radiator change and condenser removal it doesnt get any cooler i will go with an electric fan set up. any suggestions on rad or other advice?

 

summit brand 31x19 are cheap, but require some mods to fit in the chassis. There is no reason in this day to even use a water pump driven fan anymore. You get what you pay for in fans, heck the factory dual fan keeps my camaro at 180 all day long with both fans on while sitting.

 

what years have dual fans?

 

88 and up for firebird have dual fan set up

 

if i can come up with the $$$ does everyone approve of sum-380455.

 

the direct fit isn't direct fit.....get the universal one.

SUM-380331

$178.95

and then use the extra cash for dual fans with relays

 

what kind of mods are u talking about to make this fit?

 

might have to make new brackets for the radiator since it's thicker, and you might have to drop down the lower radiator support piece and add metal to that since this radiator is larger. Overall took me around 2 hours to fabricate all the brackets and add metal to each side of the lower radiator support to drop it down some. I just used a few small sheets of thinner guage steel, drilled some holes, bolted the pieces on level and had a buddy weld them later on. The direct fit more expensive radiator needs the same mods, so you might as well save the coin and go with the bigger one which will cool better either way.

 

thanx for the info. sounds like a lot of things im not quite sure how to do. but will definitly think about it until i feel like it will be something that i can handle. thats how usually go about everything. but it sounds like a good idea and will look at how i might tackle it next weekend when i have a day off of work thanx again. if anyone else has any other ideas im open for further suggestions.

 

go to autozone and buy their HD aluminum radiator for these cars, it will bolt right in since it's OEM no mods needed. Then add dual fans, they even sell some there in one of their aisles if you don't want to spend time modding things.

 

that sounds good but will it work good enough? i dont wanna spend the money and it go to waste. if i have to mod then i have to mod.

 

Are the HD radiators thicker or what?

 

Why dont you clean your radiator, inside and out, then get daul fans. If that doesnt work buy the new rad. You need more cfm across coil to disperse heat. That means more air or a larger area. If the radiator is clogged with 20 years of bugs this will cut air flow. But the daul fan might do it. The bigger radiator will not do crap if you are not moving air.

 

well so far i already got the rad in it was a pain in the ***. i trimmed the top and bottom lips off the 31x19 and tilted it forward then i used some brackets to extend out to the original shroud and got the dual fans off a 91 t/a. i also put some rubber on the bottom tray to insulate the rad from the tray. another thing i did was to get rid of the condenser too. so it should be fine but i havent got a chance to run it yet because i have to dial it in again because i changed my gear drive to a chain and found out that when i put the gears in i used a 2 degree busing instead of a 0. oops. i just havent had the time to do it. but i'll let u guys know if it solved the problem when i get it running again.

 

Do you have a part number for the HD radiator? My buddy is a manager there and can't find it. Thanks.