bad radiator in my TGP. Options?

McLaren1 · April 29, 2008, 10:30:42 AM

hey guys, radiator is leaking and rad guy said its rotten on the bottom. i can get a new one online at autozone or someone, but wanted to be sure that they r identical to what i have as far as cooling capacity and all that. with the turbo and all that other jazz wanna make sure im doin the right thing! any help is appreciated!.....Scott

cobracmdr · April 29, 2008, 11:38:47 AM

As far as I know there is no replacement radiators available. Valeo used to make one but I cannot find them anywhere anymore. Good luck finding one.....check the F/S section might get luckly.

meltboy11 · April 29, 2008, 01:29:26 PM

this guy might have one...
http://www.v6z24.com/jbodyforum/viewtopic.php?t=101420&sid=dd037ad8d20ed8aef985e2d14290acb4

grinders_18 · April 29, 2008, 01:31:40 PM

A word of advice. Do NOT trsut or listen to part stores. They ALL say they can get one or have them, regardless of what they're computer data tells them. They are not aware of the side mount intercooler, which allows for only a shorter but wider radiator.

You're ONLY bet is to find one in a junkyard like I did, or buy one from a fellow TGP/TSTE owner. Sorry man...

grinders_18 · April 29, 2008, 01:34:56 PM

Melyboy, I don't think he has the radiator. Just all the other parts for the turbo setup, which he won't seperate lol...I tried already.

meltboy11 · April 29, 2008, 03:16:22 PM

lol, well I thought if he asked reallllly nicely he might pull one out of his ass... lol

pontiac6ksteawd · April 29, 2008, 03:57:33 PM

I have a TGP rad I could send to get recored for ya, but I would need a non-refundable down payment up front, cause its expensive.

McLaren1 · April 30, 2008, 09:20:58 AM

hi, this is why i was asking u the experts yer advice. autozone has one. radiators.com, etc. the book SAYS 3.1turbo so i assumed maybe it was ok since they denoted the turbo option? what exactly IS the difference? the intercooler is seperate on the side of it so that doesnt affect it? its at my radiator guys and he can recore it for $300 but i just didnt want to go there unloess i have to. another in a junk yard could be just the way mine is. i never noticed any leaks from it before the inlet tube popped off, so was thinkin of bars leakin it and just usin it. ive done that before with good permanant results/ also does anyone know what kind of heat this engine will take before warping heads or anything? the temp gauge red zone is way higher than most and with the turbo im assuming built to take it, but i overheated it the first time the tube broke off and then i repaired it myself and did it again! i hope i dont go thru all this radiator crap and i have other damage! it seemed to drive ok just before i did it AGAIN!:)........Scot

cobracmdr · April 30, 2008, 11:14:13 AM

Quote from: McLaren1 on April 30, 2008, 09:20:58 AM
hi, this is why i was asking u the experts yer advice. autozone has one. radiators.com, etc. the book SAYS 3.1turbo so i assumed maybe it was ok since they denoted the turbo option? what exactly IS the difference? the intercooler is seperate on the side of it so that doesnt affect it? its at my radiator guys and he can recore it for $300 but i just didnt want to go there unloess i have to. another in a junk yard could be just the way mine is. i never noticed any leaks from it before the inlet tube popped off, so was thinkin of bars leakin it and just usin it. ive done that before with good permanant results/ also does anyone know what kind of heat this engine will take before warping heads or anything? the temp gauge red zone is way higher than most and with the turbo im assuming built to take it, but i overheated it the first time the tube broke off and then i repaired it myself and did it again! i hope i dont go thru all this radiator crap and i have other damage! it seemed to drive ok just before i did it AGAIN!:)........Scot

Ok let me make this clear unless it is the dimensions of the stock one, or you have a front mounted intercooler (which is an option then you can run a stock GP radiator)you have to get the TGP radiator. Autozone, pepboys, advance auto all of them are going to give you a stock GP radiator not a TGP or TSTE radiator. The ones online are probably wrong to. Go ahead and get it recored or have someone install a front mounted intercooler for you, or get a new charge piple that bypasses the intercooler and get rid of the intercooler if you are running stock boost. There really are not many options, one of the problems with these cars.

dogginred90 · April 30, 2008, 04:05:12 PM

I have a bad rad. aswell and I am going to get a C&R radiator that is 26 legnth and 16 high. Also going withan aftermarket transmission cooler to take care of the issue and get a N/A coolant bottle. That should fix all my problems

pontiac6ksteawd · May 01, 2008, 04:11:11 PM

Heh, your inlet tube popped off too. Wonder if there is some bad brazzing on that. One I saw in the salvage yard had it too, and my spare one has the same problem.

NTRCOOL · April 20, 2009, 09:12:25 AM

I know a guy up in greenbay wis and he has a good stock radiator for a tgp. but he wants $200 for it you guys think that is a ok price?

z284pwr · April 20, 2009, 02:31:27 PM

Get a kick ass aluminum radiator and do a front mount setup. Poor cars run way too damn hot in the summer time to be comfortable around town. Radiator works great crusing 65-70, drop that down to 35-40 around town, watch that poor temp gauge skyrocket :icon_mad:

pontiac6ksteawd · April 20, 2009, 03:59:49 PM

Holy old thread batman!

Prospeeder · April 20, 2009, 04:43:37 PM

yea its old. but just to say my TGP never has any problems running hot with a 195 stock stat on it in the dead summer 105 outside a/c on full blast.....