I'm currently looking for a cooling system upgrade. Radiator, Fans, Thermostat, and oil cooler. I drive my car to work most days, however in the summer in July and August(Myrtle Beach, SC) it gets into the lo 100s and the car starts running too warm for comfort so I have to drive my Camry, Blah!....Same as if I'm running alot of runs at the track.

Current setup is stock with 160

Anyone have some suggestions from your setups? Obviously cheaper is better, but I can spend some money if need be, PAY TO PLAY!

 

you are still using the stock radiator i assumne?

i would get a larget alumin radiator, like the ones summit/jegs sell as "direct fit" replacements. They are a bit larger and you need to modify the upper radiator plastic support thing. a new high flow fan, or a dual setup would be good too. i would put a 180 degree stat in it, 160 is usually too little, and get a new fan switch to turn the fans on around the 180 degree mark.

then just make sure the lower air dam in there and in good shape.

if you want an oil cooler, just make sure you use at least 1/2" lines and the system has to be thermostatically controlled

 

i also have a 406 in a 84 ta i have modifed the radiator sopport to fit a 19x31 radiator out of a 70s pickup i had to cut and drop it 2 inches but it fit between the frame rails i have no ac.This rad is a 4 core. I put on a 7 blade clutch fan instead of those little one ment to run 305s hot for emmissons. that with a bottle of WaterWetter made by redline this runs my 406 around 195 on the hottest of illinios days. 11.15@124

 

Since this is a Camaro, and not a truck, you won't have it heavily loaded (ie making heat) for a long enough time to need real cooling system modifications (ie radiator).
Driving to work your engine won't need to work hard enough to make a lot of heat. I'm guessing you're in stop and go traffic, and still using a belt driven fan? I'd upgrade to an electric fan. The ones from the Ford Taurus are fantastic. I only use the low speed setting.

And yes, the air-dam is the most crucial part of it.

 

The air dam is good, I do have a belt drive fan. and stop go for about 15minutes. I'll have to look into those tuarus fans. thanks

 

I have a summit direct fit aluminum radiator, be cool dual 11" fans, electric water pump all on toggle switches, air dam and the moroso plate restrictors instead of a thermostat on my 600hp 383 and it does not go above 180 on real hot days. Usually 160 is the norm.

 

This is what keeps me confident in keeping my stock 305 cool. I have a 3 row, dual 12" fans with shroud with 2800cfm total (Taurus fan runs about 3000cfm), stage 2 water pump, 180 stat with 3 hole bypass and using 50/50 with royal purple purple ice additive. See as I wont ever hit 600hp, I believe this will be more than sufficient at cooling my motor.

And yes those air dams are extremely important.

 

I'm about done building my 406. It's taking the place of a destoyed LG4(previous owner) and i'm wondering how cooling will be since all the cooling parts are stock but functional 305. I'm going to try to get the best water pump I can afford at the moment but wanted to ask for reassuance. And what about these Taurus fans? Are they direct fit/plug n play? What year/model would I need?

 

I run a stock radiator and a taurus fan on my 406 with a 160 t-stat. 6.70's in the 1/8th on spray and can drive it to work every day if need be. That fan is the ticket. $35 from the bone yard.

 

That's good to hear. How does it go in? Bolt in and go or will I have to fab somehing up? And what Taurus does it come out of?

 

Mid '90s. Mine is from a '95 I believe. I think the 3.8L ? It might not matter actually.

The stock cooling system is fine. Keep in mind during cruise and whatnot you're not making much more heat than a 305 anyway. The only reason to upgrade your cooling system is if you're doing some track racing. Otherwise you won't be making major heat for long enough to outrun your stock cooling system.

 

It's from an early 90's taurus with the 3.8 engine. If you do a search on the fan on this site you should find a ton of info on it.

 

That sounds good. I'll search that now. Thanks