a could be option for radiators

1trucavalier · September 02, 2003, 10:06:35 AM

I was thumbing through this site and saw this radiator. it says its for the s/c motors 96+ but a w-body 88-96 is basically the same. It should fit easily in the support, has the bend on the neck to clear the upper support and also has the auto tranny ports. This would be an excellent upgrade and a plus when added to a ramcharger fan and not have to modify anything like I had to for the griffin unit.

I think $230ish is an great price. http://www.intense-racing.com

The Burning Rom · September 02, 2003, 10:32:07 AM

It's the ZZP oversized aluminum radiator. I think someone on ClubGP is trying to use it in his 95 right now. I dunno..it doesn't have the lines running through it for the Tranny cooler....plus it's aluminum. Aluminum doesn't cool quite as well as a copper cored radiator does. :roll: It should be a lot lighter though...for those looking to shave some weight.

1trucavalier · September 02, 2003, 12:29:12 PM

it does have the tranny cooling section. see the gold colored threaded metal! since all w-bodies 94+ have automatics they come with the tranny to radiator to cooler section in it. The problem is most TGP radiators are in very bad shape by the time you purchase the car. Getting a new on is almost impossible unless you get lucky and $1200+ is just plain out of the question. I have an all aluminum griffin radiator that I shoehorned into my tgp since my stocker wasn't even fix-able. The aluminum doesn't get nearly as hot as that stocker would you can actually touch it when hot.

Chris A · September 02, 2003, 07:43:21 PM

That radiator would be too wide unless you did a front mount option too.

There is a GTP or z34 radiator that is a two row aluminum and has an oil cooler too. All radiators for these cars have the trans cooler, especially if its on an automatic. The difference is some use 5/16 line and some use 3/8 line so the fittings may be different.

Chris

1trucavalier · September 03, 2003, 06:45:41 AM

yup! mine is not where the stocker sat :D !

skalor · September 03, 2003, 07:36:10 AM

Aluminum radiators are actually a lot more efficient than a copper cored radiators. Aluminum is one of the best metals available for heat dissappation.

The Burning Rom · September 03, 2003, 08:57:56 AM

Quote from: skalorAluminum radiators are actually a lot more efficient than a copper cored radiators. Aluminum is one of the best metals available for heat dissappation.

Actually...aluminum only radiates heat somewhat better than copper...but, copper can conduct heat twice as good as aluminum can. Of course it all depends on what aluminum alloy they are using.

I know a lot of the bigger truck companies are going back to copper radiators, as the aluminum ones are starting to melt under heavy load from larger turbo diesel motors. :D

1trucavalier · September 03, 2003, 09:21:58 AM

lol! phat chance of melting one in a w-body! :lol:

skalor · September 03, 2003, 10:39:02 AM

If copper so much better then why isn't there any copper heads for cars. I would think that the in cylinder temperatures would be much higher than what the radiator would ever see, and I never really heard of a melted aluminum head(warped maybe). :D

maximage · September 03, 2003, 11:56:07 AM

2 reasons 1) Copper is WAY more expensive. 2) Copper is softer and easier to melt. So it wouldnt hold the pressure/heat of combustion

skalor · September 03, 2003, 12:45:41 PM

Quote from: maximage2 reasons 1) Copper is WAY more expensive. 2) Copper is softer and easier to melt. So it wouldnt hold the pressure/heat of combustion

I wasn't really serious about the copper head deal...I was just trying to make a point :P

After reading a couple of articles on the copper/brass vs aluminum radiators I have come to the conclusion that The Burning Rom is right that the copper/brass does dissappate more heat, but the traditional way a copper/brass radiator is made with solder reduces it's ability to dissappate heat. So an aluminum radiator is still probably a little bit better except for some new CuproBraze technique that can be used to make copper/brass radiators. 8) :D

http://www.eng-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/lev2/6/lev3/35/pid/108/qid/61247
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/81658/

1trucavalier · September 03, 2003, 02:04:21 PM

i don't see how it can even be questioned. 300whp s/c w-bodies are using them so the you don't need to do any more research its already been street and track tested!

Chris A · September 03, 2003, 08:18:37 PM

Nothing wrong with debating which is better!

Do we need to worry about it in our cars. Probably not, other than aluminum is lighter. Either material will handle the job.

Chris

1trucavalier · September 04, 2003, 07:02:37 AM

oh i know! just yappin.