I have read many posts on the cooling boards about how the stock cooling system can support high horsepower numbers. I'm not saying it can't but why do these cars run so hot? Why do so many people have problems? This is my setup

406, AFR 195 heads, 288XR roller cam

Now, I have a griffin radiator 31x19 that I can put in it but I will have to mod the radiator support to get it to fit right. I am planning on using LS1 or LT1 fan assembly. I have a TPI dual fan assembly but I thought it could be improved on. I am planning using a Stewart components stage 1 or 2 water pump and their high flow thermostat.

I was originally planning on keeping my A/C. If I use the griffin radiator there is no way I can.

There's talk in another thread that there is a bigger radiator you can get at Advance Auto but no confirmation yet.

I just want to make sure I do this right the first time. Thanks for any help.

Jason

 

I have an AFR 383, with the same cam, hydraulic roller. I tried the stock cooling system and it wasn't cutting it. I'm using the same griffin radiator and that works really well. I tried using the stock single fan (86 LG4 was the original engine), and that definitely didn't work. So now I have a dual Spal 11" fan setup. Works very well. Oh I also, have the stewart stage 2 waterpump. It also helped that I tuned my timing curve better.
I would definitely use the griffin radiator you have. And the dual fan setup would probably work well.

 

ive got the same cam, and dart pro 1's on a 408 stroker with a little over 500hp. Im using the 2 core direct replacement radiator from jegs, i think its similar to the griffin one, just less expensive. My primary fan is a 14" perma-cool fan with 3000cfm mounted as a pusher, and it will keep my motor cool, sitting still, city driving, highway, driving, and driving like an ***. I even have an auxiliary 3000cfm fan with a manual switch just in case, but ive never needed it.

also have a highflow aluminum pump and a 160 degree thermostat and a hypertech 165-175 fan switch.

 

i got everything new except my rad, got a high flow eletric fan, and yes i got the air dam to, but still have some not over heat bu to warm for me conditions with the A/C on...............was thinking about a 2 or 3 row replacement

 

86TA,

How well did that radiator fit? Did you have to mod anything? Also, do you still have A/C?

Also, how do you guys like that cam? I had it in my 406 with a set of protopline heads and loved it. It's streetable, pulls really hard to 6000 or so.

I am interested in this two pass radiator, is it the same thing as a 3 or 4 row radiator?

Thanks.

 

LilJay, I think the stock dual fan set-up works well if some modifications are made. The one that makes the most sense to me is the dual fan shroud from an LT1 or LS1. I am just finishing the mods to the LT1 shroud and at this point I would like to see if the LS1 is a better fit. The LT1 needs a lot of shaving and trimming to get a good flush fit. There was a post maybe 2 weeks ago about a LS1 dual fan conversion that looked clean and it was said it worked very well. Most of the usual mods are changing the fan switch to one that comes on sooner, replacing the thermostat and changing the ratio of anti-freeze to water. My 383 TPI `88 Iroc ran 200-220 around town with the stock dual fans and I am trying to get the temp down to a constant 190-200 max. I am still using the stock radiator.

 

When I had my 84 trans am I used to tow my 21 foot bayliner with it all I had was a 3 row brass replacement radiator and twin IROC fans and it never ran hot. Also dollied my 82 corvette with the trans am about 50 miles and it still never ran hot.

I think this is alot more strain on a cooling system then a 500hp engine after all my vette weighs what about 3200lbs so combination weight is what in the 6,000lb range .... not really sure about the boats weight though. But in day to day driving even on a 100 degree day with the A/C on blizzard in gridlock it would never get above 220. Usually it sat in the 200 degree range.

 

yea Jproz1167 i think i will go with that set up i been loking at a 2 row profromance one on e-bay but the a~hole seller wont respond to my simple ?'s about how thick the core is

 

89RS, that`s because they don`t know how thick it is or what a core is most likely. Shop around until you find someone who knows their product.

 

I can't anyone to tell me where they got their radiator. I think it's a consipracy

 

Sorry, mine was in the car when I bought it and it still works fine. Some on this site got their`s at Summit and some at Jegs and E-Bay. Summit brand direct-fit aluminum radiators are made by Northern, a very good company. If you have not yet used the search function at the top of the page, try it out. Click on it and type in "radiators" and a lot of information should come up for you to look at. You can also try looking at cooling in "User CP". I`ve heard a lot of good things about Summits direct fit radiators so that will be what I replace mine with when it need it.

 

the cam is great, it actually runs really smooth, sounds GREAT, and pulls hard.

the radiator fit the stock single fan shroud, but i had to cut a little piece off the driverside so it would sit down on the radiator, no biggie. I do not have A/C. I actually have the radiator support modified now, lowered the lower support almost 3" and have the radiator tucked under the upper support with a nicely bent up aluminum support. And pusher fans mounted in the front, out of sight.

 

I bought mine through a radiator shop. All it was, was a 3 row direct replacement brass unit. I think I paid like 160 for it. Well, something like that but it fit the car perfectly and it's never given me any cooling issues, even on 100+ degree days my car stays well under 220 and thats now with a single electric fan.
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While its on my mind there is an upgrade you could do. When my 84 trans am was brand new it came with a heavy duty cooling system option. It's radiator was a plastic tank unit, however it had a 3 row staggered core. Did a awsome job cooling till its tanks cracked.

 

Im so glad to hear this, i was a little worried about a direct replacement, but i guess its pretty good

 

The stock cooling system keeps my 383 cool just fine.

 

I got my griffin from Summit. I didn't mod the bottom radiator support, but I did mod the stock plastic top cover. I removed the four "rubber feet" and lined the bottom and top with thin high heat rubber strips. It looks like a stock replacement.

 

Go to www.speedwaymotors.com

They have the best prices. I got a 31.5 x 19. This cools a race car running up to 7,000 rpms for 20 min at a time.

A stock system will not cut it if you race teh engine. It may be ok for a 1/4 mile blast. But thats it. The stock system would not cool my stock 305 on track days.

 

LilJay, if you are still having cooling issues I just finished installing a 4th gen dual fan shroud in my `88 Iroc and the temps are way down with the rest of the cooling system still basically stock.