The leak in my radiator has been getting worse. Currently the the transmission on my Trans Am is out, but I know the radiator is good. So would I be able to use the radiator from my Trans Am in my Camaro? I plan to buy a new radiator in a couple of weeks, but wanted to use the other radiator for the time being. So would the V8 radiator work?

 

as long as the hoses are on the same side on both rads yes.

 

I'll have to look again, but I'm pretty sure the hoses are on the same side.

 

I'm pretty sure you can.

 

I easly put v8 fans on my v6. I think the v8 raid. is just a hair thicker, but the places it mounts (end pieces) are same size.

I would say same as brobert, if the hose location is same, its worth a try.

 

Even if the hose location is different, you could still make it work. Remember tho if you have an auto trans, you'll need the radiator with the built-in trans cooler.

I run a B&M Supercooler and Summit remote trans filter that's still tied inline with the factory cooler. (That's how the B&M instructions recommended it.)

 

so our v6's came stock with a built in trans-cooler? where exactly is that located and can i get a pic?? and tom, can i get a pic of your setup with the B&M cooler and filter?

 

The Trans Am is an auto as well, so wouldn't it already have the built-in trans cooler?

 

The trans cooler is inside the rad. Look at your rad under the hood , see the two metal lines going to it? Those are your rad lines. You could still add another like TOm did.

 

If I remember when I go home, I'll snap a pic. I mounted the filter on a homemade "L" bracket, off of the passenger side main frame rail, so it hangs down above the idler arm. The B&M Supercooler is tyed to the radiator in the upper-passenger corner, at the front of the radiator.

Here's the links!

Summit remote trans filter (takes a big AC-1 filter): http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=SUM%2DG4980

B&M Supercooler, 19000 GVW (I think this is the one I have): http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=BMM%2D70268

The ever-important fake stainless hose : http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=SPE%2D29406

 

So would my radiator from my Trans Am have the trans cooler since its an auto?

 

I have a factory radiator out of a V8 car. Hell if I know WHAT V-8 car, I bought it new from a shop, and it fits like a glove.

 

Both auto and manual have them i believe except the lines are pluged in the radiator since a manual tranny does not have a tranny cooler.

 

Also once you either change the rad or add a trans cooler check your trans fluid level.

 

this is out of the car so i dont know if itll help any but you can see the trans cooler lines and its a v8 rad.

 

I checked the Trans Am radiator, it seems to have all the same connections as the Camaro's radiator. I plan to do this swap this weekend.

 

let us know how it goes please. If/when mine ever fails, I would like to go to larger.

Larger is better right

 

Id go for the bigger rad too.

Now that Tom mentions that I bet that is why I can get my car to run at lower temps then stock that gives me such a great seat of the pants feel. I have a stick and no auto trans pumping heat into my coolant / engine.

 

uhm guys. My rad for the v8 is the same size as the rad for the v6. It just has the hoses in different spots. Also a friend has the same rad as my v8 rad in his car and it keeps his 400 running at 200.

 

I believe '90 to '92 the Camaros used the same radiator V6 or V8.

Two years ago when I replaced my wife's, I had my friend at Advance check as I wanted the biggest rad I could get and the V6 and V8 took the same part number- it wasn't bad, about $115.

Turned out the main problem once I got into it was the bottom 1/3 of the face of the radiator was blocked up with leaves and plastic bags that had gotten sucked up between the AC condenser and the rad. ALso the ducting between the top of the front facia and the core support was missing (the area by the hood latch).

Eric

 

The hoses are in the same places on the two radiators I have. I am going to take the radiator out of the Trans Am tomorrow. Hopefully I will get it in the Camaro as well. On a side note, how much antifreeze does it take to fill a V8 radiator?

 

You only want a 50/50 water /antifreeze mix. buy pre mixed as its easier. yea you pay for water but its much easier. I buy the eco safe 50/50 mix stuff. So animals wont die from it. I like little animals.

 

Could someone clue me in to where the radiator drain plug is?

 

under the lower rad hose. I have to take plyers or needle nose to get to mine

 

First off- The stock plastic sides radiators are teribble. They crack very easily if overheated at all.
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The V8 radiators are basically the same units as the V6, but as stated above, they just have different rad hose inlet/outlet positions. The difference on the V8 cars is dual fans for extra cooling.
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I personally had a custom brass 4-core radiator made for mine. This holds twice the volume of water. I run a constant 172* unless I run the a/c on a very hot day.
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As for coolant- Yes run 50/50 mix ( colder climates need more close to 70/30 though to prevent freezing)

Most race tracks will NOT ALLOW glycerine based products (Coolant) in the cooling system-why- in case of a crash or even just a spillage mishap, they don't want the oilly coolant making the track slick. SO with this said- The old school racing trick that everybody runs is "SWIMMING POOL WATER". The chemicals used to treat swimming pools that help in the ph balance of the water also help with cooling believe it or not. I run 50 coolant/ 50% swimming pool water in my street vehicles- have for years, it also helps resist corrosion.

 

Well, good news. I got the radiator out of the Trans Am. It was easier than I thought it would be. The hardest part were the trans cooler lines and the lower radiator hose. I am waiting for my buddy to get here and we are going to flush the radiator. Hopefully it will be in the Camaro tonight or tomorrow morning.

 

most tracks dont check that, but you're right.... technicly no coolent is allowed....



but the "swimming pool water" trick is pretty darn old... most people now run straight water with some "water wetter" in it.. works great.. some people even claim it works better then 50/50 coolent mix...

 

Ok, time to go home and check the swimming pool supplies

 

Water wetter works VERY good. But the swimming pool stuff is probably cheaper.

 

Water Wetter is like $15... Tack it onto a summit order if you have to, otherwise call around, more than a couple parts stores have it on the shelf around here.

 

Also, if you check the specs on the radiators (in an actual book, not just comparing them physically) you'll find that the V6-V8 radiators are essentially the same thing, the real difference is the size of the internal passages. Most have the same hose inlets and outlets, that are the same sizes, etc...

 

Well, I got the radiator in the Camaro. I found why my coolant had been boiling. There was a massive amount of leaves and dirt laying infront of the old radiator and on it. On a side note, does anyone know a good way to test if the radiator is working correctly, other than the temperature gauge because mine doesn't work.

 

one way you can test it is, with it running at operating condition, grab the top hose and then feel your way down the sides to the bottom hose. you may not want to actually touch the rad. but if you notice its getting cooler as you go down, chances are, there isnt any blockage in it. or if you can get a digital thermometer, those help too.

 

(Look up a few to br()bert's post with the radiator picture.)

Could someone tell me what the outlet right above the top transmission line is? I need to know of a way to block it off.

 

that is the heater core connection. On a v8 you can connect the heater core to that area or to the water pump or to the manifold.

If you buy a new rad it comes blocked off. That rad in my pic turned out to be cracked so thanks to a friend who had one on warr, i ended up with a new rad.

The block off is a rubber boot you put on and put a hose clamp around it.