Hey guys, the question is in the title. I'm looking to cool a 400hp (give or take) 350 while keeping the stock A/C setup, as I don't know how thick of a radiator I can put in before I need to start removing other parts to make it fit. The car came with an electric fan. Don't have the engine or trans yet but as I've learned the hard way, it's best to start upgrading the cooling system BEFORE anything else. Would also need another electric fan setup and heat switch for said fans (I'm guessing 180 degrees as my car seems to run pretty well at that temp?). Cost isn't a huge issue here as I do want decent quality but cheaper would be nice.

 

I went with a Dewitts radiator & 4th gen LS dual fans. I also replaced the fan switch in the cylinder head to the part number listed for a Buick Grand National. My LT1 when it was heads and cam, never had any issues with the factory radiator GM dual fans, the temp on settings were lowered in the tune, but that was making 425RWHP, 350" motor,

 

Do you have any opinions on Champion? I've used them once before for a different vehicle and it seemed like a good radiator, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the engine began to fail and I sold it so I have no idea what the long-term quality is like.

 

In my 2nd gen i have that same engine setup. I'm just running a generic factory style aluminum radiator, a two speed Ford Taurus fan, and factory water pump.

I also have AC and never have any cooling issues even on hot SoCal days.

 

When I had a 400 in mine (83 L69 Z28), the factory radiator and fan, plus a Stewart water pump, did fine.

I often wished for more fan though: I lived in the deep South at the time, where AC is forced to spend most of its effort getting the humidity out of the air; and sometimes there just wasn't enough cooling capacity, esp sitting still. Moving, it was OK; but when sitting the AC efficiency fell off.

 

Never used them, I had experience with Dewitts on a previous C6 Corvette

 

My 406 Miniram setup, I ran stock 2 core radiator with stock fans and AC. No cooling issues in traffic during summer.

 

The Dewitt's I purchased for my 86 Trans Am is a REALLY nice piece. Worth every penny IMHO. The Champion stuff is Chinese. The Dewitt's is USA and the only one I know of that is a *perfect* factory fit with no mounting modifications required.

GD

 

Ran a B-Cool radiator on my last car and it helped big-time over the old stock unit.

 

Best cooling I have ever had with one of these cars came from an early mechanical fan shroud and some random small V6 Ford truck (explorer or ranger) mechanical fan. Car was converted to serpentine belt and had a reverse rotation fan. Could not get that car over 200°F if you tried running the a/c in 105°F weather. Engine was a ~450 hp 406. You cannot beat a mechanical fan for CFM above idle.

 

Any dual fan setup that uses a shroud will work well. I would stick with the stock radiator and it's lifetime warranty through a national parts store chain. The aluminum radiators tend to be either troublesome or expensive