My 91 Camaro is mainly going to be used for competition and joyrides. Since our camaros are old, I want to replace the radiator and eventually fan and water pump before it breaks on me.

How much better do competition radiators or all aluminum ones keep the coolant at a low temp during races compared to stock replacements? Advice, especially from fellow racers, is greatly appreciated.

 

Champion makes a very nice replacement radiator.

I used a 31x19 Griffin universal fit with 1.25" tubes because it was cheap and was onsale at the time.

I went from 190* in Spring weather with both fans running on my over sized copper core radiator to 175* or so. I also built a fan shroud though.

Really it's hard to beat the Champion one though since it's pretty much a direct drop in. If you go with a 31x19 or something that universal fit be ready to modify your mounts.

 

I would probably look into an all aluminum.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a fan shroud?

If I go with a stock replacement, I will go with a direct fit since this will be my first radiator work and I don't want to modify or make my own mounts.

 

A two row aluminum radiator with 1 inch tubes seems to be the best. I have that and a taurus fan and mine works great now after decades of over heating and trying different fan-rad combos.

 

I used an old GM shroud and my multi tool and made one with a nice fit. The air has to go through the radiator.

 

It mounts on back side of radiator. It basically provides a barrier so the fan has to pull air throu the radiator.

 

I don't race my car so you may not be interested .I just replaced my radiator with this Murray about two weeks ago and it just dropped right in.(of course there's remounting the front and rear fans along with a large engine and transmission oil cooler) It comes with a limited lifetime warranted.As long as it has not been abused they will honer the warranty for life.With this and a 180* thermostat I have yet to hit the 200* mark even in heavy traffic with it primarily staying in the 180* to 190*range .
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...aro&vi=1035694

 

I'm interested in any advice; it's just that racers, especially experienced racers, will have more knowledge of the needs of a track car compared to everyone else. I do like lifetime warranties but will they consider racing abuse?

 

As long as you don't strait out tell them I don't think they care.A large chain store like O'Reilly's/Autozone is going to be used to having items returned under warranty.
Its abuse to the radiator its self. I asked about mounting coolers and fans and that's OK as long as your not bending tubes or crushing the unit to get it to fit.Crazy stuff like that.
When you say "fellow" racers it sounds as if you have some experience. How much racing have you done?
Its your car but if I were going to get into some type of road racing,etc with a car I have never raced, I would take what I have for a few try out laps and see exactly how it acts. There are other things to consider like what thermostat do you have and at what temperature do your fans come on and are your fans large enough. Do you have a air dam. Stuff like that.

 

I have done a half a season of autocrossing. I need to prep up my car(s) to do performance driving experiences, time trials, hillclimbs, and rallying with my organization, Sports Car Club of America.

You might not feel a difference with better cooling, you might just see the water temp lower, and less overheating.

 

A cooler motor makes more power and lives a lot longer. They run our cars hot from the factory to burn up emissions and run cleaner. I run a 170 stat, taurus fan and be cool radiator with two rows of 1 inch tubes and in 108 degree heat it will not get to 200 degrees now at idle with pure water. Its all about air flow and heat exchange. A big enough rad will get rid of the heat with enough air going through it.

 

Thouse items above go hand and hand with any radiator,I was just pointing out a few things to look into if you have not done so yet.
I sincerely want to wish you luck on any competition you may be involved in.