Hey fellas i need some help installing my new summit 31X19 aluminum race radiator/B&M super cooler

I wont begin this process till tues but need it all done by SAT for spring fling so im hoping i can do it one evening after work...my noticeable problem is that summit didnt send any type of instructions and also...ive noticed that my current (leaking) radiator has some other connections besides the two (inlet and outlet) that are on the aluminum radiator...i believe my current rad has a built in TC ...

i have a 350 with dual fans...so where do these connections go???? I know the basic flow and all from the instructions sent with the transcooler but i want to make sure i do this right the first time...

if anyone has some better step by step instructions to this please email or reply with them i dont wanna miss spf bc of troubles installing

 

Are you saying that there are other connections on the radiator besides the rad hose inlet outlet our are you saying that there is a rad. hose inlet outlet, trans cooler lines, and then more lines. There should only be the two big outlest on the top and the bottom for the rad. hose and then two outlets for your trans cooler right by the lower rad. house. If you have more lines you also have an engine oil cooler. I really wish that I had time to come out and help you but I will be working all week next week and still have a few bugs to work out in my car. Just out of curiosity where in houston do you live. If things get desperate let me know and will try to find a way to help you out. But the install is pretty easy and if you do a search for Griffin 31x19 radiator you should find a few threads that discuss it.Good Luck.

 

If you check out the dual fan setup that I have for sale at www.methware.com/camaro/swapmeet
You will see two upper fan shrouds. One has been modified/butchered to work with my griffen radiator. I also put some big washers between the lower shroud/fan mount and the fans to space it back a little to accomodate the extra thickness of my Griffen (2 1.5" cores).

If you want to stop by my shop (Stafford, near 59 and 8), I'll give you the modified mount and show you what I did to make mine fit.

 

It's definately not a bolt-in job,, but it's not too hard.

It should drop in at the bottom, but U have to modify the top plastic shroud to fit over the wider rad and make some make shift "extenders to bolt the shroud to the sheet metal up top. Some sheet metal or some perforated strap to bolt to the top shroud and then to the body work sheetl metal that shroud currently bolts into. Like ESC said go by and look st his, or if closer to SW part of town (Belteay 8 and S59--west airport exit) Your are welcome to swing by here and look at mine.

 

Closer? Your right around the corner from me!

 

Actually about a block from W. Airport and Hillcroft

 

seriously!? why was I thinking that you were over by Almeda area? hell man, I work just down the street from you on gessner between bellaire and beechnut! I'll have to swing by soon next week and get a sneak-peek @ the new goods you got!

 

ok guys let me clear up what im getting at

my current radiator (not the new aluminum one) has the inlet, outlet, overflow connection, and a smaller steel plug-in right above the outlet

my new summit aluminum radiator only has an inlet and outlet...so how do i make all the rest of the connections?

also a section of fins in one of the rows are not flat and even with the others ..i tried to press them in and it just bent up the fins a little...(i bent them back as best i could)...is this ok?? anyways to fix it (kind of a perfectionist)

 

The plug is for a coolant level sensor on some models. If there is no overflow outlet, you can't hook up your reservoir, and the only thing they look for at HMP is if you have a coolant reservoir. If there is a way to hook it up, I don't know it.

 

so what do i do about the sensor wont it throw off my coolent temp gauge...also...so basically its pointless to have a coolant resevoir anymore but HMP still requires it to drag...though i wont be dragging at spf most likely

 

The temp guage sensor (stock) is in the head. My aftermarket is in the intake.

 

ok but what do i do about it...is there a way to reroute it do i need a mechanic to do all that....im not a mechanic...i can do most things on a car that deal with work and light fabrication but i dont want to mess with electrical or sensor stuff if i dont know what im doing...

i need to know what it is i need to do about it...i know there will be some fitment difficulty and some cutting will need to take place...ill do my best at that...

but as for the coolant level sensor i dont know what to do about it
for the overflow tank i take it that i just leave it disconnected and in the car if i want to race at HMP but other than that its useless unless i drill and weld...so i guess ill have to watch my coolant level extremely well to make sure its just right or ill have problems

a little more help needed IROCAHOLIc if your readin this please pipe in bc i know your install is similar to mine

 

I bought the custom-fit Be-Cool rad, and that fitting is in the rad. as is the overflow tank fitting., but I had to plug it. I'd leave it out, and tape it so the coolant level light isn't on all the time, as a temporary measure to get to the SFT. After that, take out the rad, and find someone who is VERY GOOD at welding aluminum, and have them weld a bung in the rad so you can put the sensor in. And while they're at it, weld in a gizmo for your overflow tank, as well. I don't have any recommemdations as far as rad shops go. Post for one, and someone will know somebody who can do the job.

 

I have a recommendation:

Andy Kimbrell at
Sport Performance
650 Stafford Run Rd.
Stafford, Tx.
281-499-6601

He has welded on my Griffin Aluminum radiator before. He welds new fittings on to race car radiators on a regular basis. His rates are reasonable and IMO he is the best welder I have ever met. He can weld on a new billit cap-neck (or what ever it is called) that has an overflow fitting, as well as any other fittings you might need.

He is also an old friend of mine, so if you mention my name (Eric) he might be feeling generious and give you a discount, but no guarantees.

 

Well mine came with the overflow fitting so I didnt have that prob. One thing you could do is drill and tap in a threaded fitting and hook it up to your overflow hose. As for the temp sensor I am running a mechanical guage and a switch for my fan. I dont trust the guages in these cars. Also using a fan switch lets me run my fan as roon as the car gets to operating temp.

 

Also you never said what area of town you were in. If you are close to me I might be able to free up some time friday to come and help you.

 

i live in the cypress area in north west houston...near willowbrook area...

 

That's kinda out towards Mikeee (1bad91z)--he's in or close to Tomball

 

i do live near katy

 

Grand parkway to Stafford.