Performance radiator replacement?
07-13-2007, 08:30 PM
#1
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Performance radiator replacement?
My memory is failing me... is there a known radiator that is thicker than the stock L36 radiator? My coolant temperatures have been spiking lately on the really hot days here in Arizona (110+ degrees), and I feel the car would benefit from a thicker radiator or "performance" radiator. Temps never get into the red, but recently the coolant temp got up to the last white mark before the red on the gauge during stop & go traffic.
BTW... would such a high water temperature cause some of my coolant to evaporate faster or even "boil" off somehow? It seems there has been an ever-so-slow decline in the overflow tank during the last couple of weeks. Just wondering.
BTW... would such a high water temperature cause some of my coolant to evaporate faster or even "boil" off somehow? It seems there has been an ever-so-slow decline in the overflow tank during the last couple of weeks. Just wondering.
07-13-2007, 10:24 PM
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If the stock single row rad it is about 1" thick. I would check the junk yards for a thicker one.
Careful to check if yours has the oil cooler built in or not first. Kragen auto has a HD version that I use (but it isant cheap)
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...ype=31&PTSet=A
Its a three row made out of copper/brass instead of alum/plastic.
Another thing if ur rad has the oil cooler you can get a external oil cooler so the oil dosent add to the rads heat.
Careful to check if yours has the oil cooler built in or not first. Kragen auto has a HD version that I use (but it isant cheap)
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...ype=31&PTSet=A
Its a three row made out of copper/brass instead of alum/plastic.
Another thing if ur rad has the oil cooler you can get a external oil cooler so the oil dosent add to the rads heat.
07-14-2007, 02:04 PM
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The stock Radiator for a series II is not 1" thick...
A lot of the Older SSE'* SSEi'* and or 1992 Bonneville with Towing package could be had with HD cooling..
Generally when you replace the Radiator you will have between 1" and 1 3/8'* for core thickness..
If you go with a Replacement Ben, I recommend that you bypass the internal tranny cooler and use the AUX Trans Cooler, Possibly use a Thermostatically controlled cooler...
At least this way you will have more ability to cool the coolant, without the coolant pulling heat away from the trans before the coolant enters the engine.. Most of the Replacements may have the Oil cooler on the drivers side as well..
Both of the replacements I have used had the oil cooler.... The Radiator to my door was $130 ish and is an HD unit even tho its not stated
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...er=asc&start=0
Got to Page 2, Scroll down till you see the radiators.... You'll see the difference
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A lot of the Older SSE'* SSEi'* and or 1992 Bonneville with Towing package could be had with HD cooling..
Generally when you replace the Radiator you will have between 1" and 1 3/8'* for core thickness..
If you go with a Replacement Ben, I recommend that you bypass the internal tranny cooler and use the AUX Trans Cooler, Possibly use a Thermostatically controlled cooler...
At least this way you will have more ability to cool the coolant, without the coolant pulling heat away from the trans before the coolant enters the engine.. Most of the Replacements may have the Oil cooler on the drivers side as well..
Both of the replacements I have used had the oil cooler.... The Radiator to my door was $130 ish and is an HD unit even tho its not stated
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...er=asc&start=0
Got to Page 2, Scroll down till you see the radiators.... You'll see the difference
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07-14-2007, 03:42 PM
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That'* awesome, Don! Where did you order it from, and what is the part number? That'* exactly what I need in this Arizona desert heat.
07-14-2007, 03:50 PM
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www.radiatorexpress.com
http://www.radiatorexpress.com/produ...aia_id=1247510
That is the one I installed into the 91 LE... The one I used for the SE was another but they sent me the Caddy Radiator.... For $140 I wasn't going to complain
You want a 30"X17 and they should all be 1" or better.... The one I got for the LE was actually 1.25
Ben if you need anymore info let me know...
Surf radiator express a bit and see what you find.. Its a lot cheaper than Auto zone or advance( parts America ) This is the reason I get my Radiators from Radiator express... Boosty put me onto them at one point, I have been a customer ever since
Shipping for me both times was $10
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http://www.radiatorexpress.com/produ...aia_id=1247510
That is the one I installed into the 91 LE... The one I used for the SE was another but they sent me the Caddy Radiator.... For $140 I wasn't going to complain
You want a 30"X17 and they should all be 1" or better.... The one I got for the LE was actually 1.25
Ben if you need anymore info let me know...
Surf radiator express a bit and see what you find.. Its a lot cheaper than Auto zone or advance( parts America ) This is the reason I get my Radiators from Radiator express... Boosty put me onto them at one point, I have been a customer ever since
Shipping for me both times was $10
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07-14-2007, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by jr's3800
The stock Radiator for a series II is not 1" thick...
who said the core was 1" thick?And didnt it ever occur to you some may prefer to get the correct rad that has the right fittings that fits without spend hours and $$ buying extra adapters and parts?
07-14-2007, 04:08 PM
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OK... My Bad.... You said about 1" thick.... Its not even close on any series 2 3800....
Yes I understand that not everyone may want to deal with that issue... If thats the case then they can go buy a replacement from the local parts store... But in my experience its not always the right part either.... And in the past we have had to return the radiators 2 to 3 times over before we finally got the right one..
And if they want a Stock Radiator that will work 100% with no issues they can go to the dealership and get a GM AC Delco Part if its going to be that much of a problem..
So lets recap.... If you do NOT want to Modify your car so that one of these radiators will fit, You may want to seriously consider getting your Radiator from the Dealership... If not you may also consider Rock Auto or GMPD if you can get the proper Part Number for your car..
I was happy to modify my car to accept this radiator as I live in FL where the heat and humidity are nuts, and a stock radiator and or the price for the stocker was a deterrent... For the price of the Radiator to my front door $140 Shipped, and the price of 1 Tranny line( $10 ), I was more than happy to bypass to my AUX cooler...
Ben, I know the Mods you have, and I do reccomend that you Bypass the Radiator to the AUX cooler
And at the same time I am not so sure Ben Has well over $300 after taxes to toss at a radiator
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Yes I understand that not everyone may want to deal with that issue... If thats the case then they can go buy a replacement from the local parts store... But in my experience its not always the right part either.... And in the past we have had to return the radiators 2 to 3 times over before we finally got the right one..
And if they want a Stock Radiator that will work 100% with no issues they can go to the dealership and get a GM AC Delco Part if its going to be that much of a problem..
So lets recap.... If you do NOT want to Modify your car so that one of these radiators will fit, You may want to seriously consider getting your Radiator from the Dealership... If not you may also consider Rock Auto or GMPD if you can get the proper Part Number for your car..
I was happy to modify my car to accept this radiator as I live in FL where the heat and humidity are nuts, and a stock radiator and or the price for the stocker was a deterrent... For the price of the Radiator to my front door $140 Shipped, and the price of 1 Tranny line( $10 ), I was more than happy to bypass to my AUX cooler...
Ben, I know the Mods you have, and I do reccomend that you Bypass the Radiator to the AUX cooler
And at the same time I am not so sure Ben Has well over $300 after taxes to toss at a radiator
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