84 to 87 Radiator differences?

[GN84Turbo]

OK, ive been planning on converting to the 87 radiator setup for some time, but every time i try to find the larger size radiator the only thing the parts guys bring up is the 20 3/4 x 17 x 2 inch core radiator, 3 row. The same size as the 84/85 radiator.

I know for a fact that 86 and 87 radiators were larger than the 84 85 radiators (which makes no sense at all since hotairs need a bigger radiator).

So youd figure, just look up the radiator for an 86/87, right? wrong. autozone and all the others still come up with the stupid 84/85 part number!!!

So...i looked up a radiator from a mid 80s Olds Cutlass Supreme, 5.0 liter, and lo and behold, it has a radiator with 26 3/8 x 17 x 2 inch core radiator, 3 row. To top it all off, its 50 bucks cheaper too!! How does that work...

Does anyone know if this is the correct replacement for the IC cars?? Im pretty sure im right, but for reassurance, give me your thoughts.

 

[GNeric]

The intercooled cars actually have the oil cooler and trans coolers in the passenger side tank. The Cutlass radiator only has the trans cooler but is wide like the intercooled cars. I ran one of these in my 84 T until I went with the F-body aluminum radiator which brought temps down even more than the brass radiator. In fact, our 86 442 will get the aluminum F-body rad before next summer comes around.

 

[conn84gn]

Advance Auto has Modine Radiators
The 87 V8 Monte Carlo is the bigger one, tranny lines only
Cheaper than GN radiator

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

MODINE 951 is the one you want. Lifetime guarantee. Brad

 

[1QUICK85]

What GNeric said!!

Go with a 350 Camaro/Iroc(f-body, like '87 and up) aluminum replacement radiator from Auto Zone. It actually only a little thicker then 1 inch, but its aluminum, so she cools awesome. I had a front mount on my car and it just by putting the f-body radiator in, it dropped the temp by 20 degrees on the highway. And the radiator that was in the car, I had just bought 2 years before. ('85 stock replacement......they suck!!!!)
Are you looking to keep the hot air belt driven fan?
If you go with electric fans the www.ramchargers.com dual fans slide right in the F-body radiator. You can wire them to a switch or can be wired into your ECM if you have a 87 ECM. And a radiator hold down out of a early 80's V8 Cutlass is a perfect fit for the F-body radiator and it bolts right in your car. Looks stock!
Do a search on radiator and electric fan options.
-Nick.

 

[GN84Turbo]

Hey thanks for all the info guys, youve helped me out a lot on this.

So aluminum dissipates so much more heat you only need a 2 row? Impressive

 

[turbofish38]

Check out this thread http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195198

The problem you having getting the right radiator at AZ is that you are asking for a V-6 radiator. You need to ask them for the 86-87 V-8 radiator. The only problem you are going to have is mounting it. You either need to find the big shroud or convert over to electric fans. AZ does not carry the correct IC radiator BTW. And IIRC the V-8 Radiator from AZ is a plastic and aluminum one. Not the OEM brass and copper like one might expect.

 

[GN84Turbo]

Aluminum Radiator specs

Alright guys, i looked up the "F-Body radiators" like you suggested, and there are 3 main different ones with slightly different core dimensions. The MODINE 951 specs were looked up from napaautoparts.com and the other 2 radiator specs are from partsamerica.com

The MODINE 951:
Part # MO 951: 26 1/4 x 17 3/8 x 1 1/8 = 513 cu. in.

1987 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME V8 5.0 Liter:
Part # 438162: 26 3/8 x 17 x 1 1/8 = 504 cu. in.

1987 CHEVROLET CAMARO V8 5.7 Liter:
Part # 433918: 26 1/4 x 17 1/4 x 1 3/8 = 622 cu. in.

Looks like the last one would be the best buy, it has the largest core by volume. I'm going with that one. Its only $117.99 on autozone.com. :biggrin:

PS: All have lifetime warranty