fbody rad in a gbody

[FastRegalWE2]

thought I read somewhere that the 82-92 camaro/firebird radiators fit right in place of ours?? Would this work even with the haeavy duty cooling option??
TIA

 

[Pitbozz]

Don't know about any *haeavy duty cooling option*, but I replaced my factory radiator with the f-body one last summer and am very happy with the results. I bought seperate oil and tranny coolers, but was going to do that anyway. Other than the coolers, it fits like a stocker and with the R/C dual fans it works very well. Do a search and you can find the exact part number.

 

[Russell Stover]

I replaced mine a month ago with a new rad. you have to say its for a GM Diesel car. It has the oil cooler and trans . My temps never get above 167 with it.

 

[Lhorn]

Russel, is that radiator a close match in size etc? Do you know what diesel cars it came from or have a part number? Never heard of that swap, but it sounds intriguing. I just think the integrated oil and tranny cooler is a cleaner look. Don't want to have to cut my oil line and find a place to strap on a cheezy looking cooler.

 

[Russell Stover]

I took my old one to a radiator shop to get fixed and the guy there ordered it and that is all he told me about it. ( Gm diesel) I think its from a delta 88 though. I had to drill 2 new holes in the top to mount the fan but that was it everything else works perfect.

 

[turbofish38]

The B-body diesel radiators are the same width as a G-body. The downside is weight. Them rads have got to weigh twice as much as the stock TR rad. The advantage of the F-body is it is plastic and aluminum and weighs about 10 pounds less then a stocker and is more efficient than the stock and about the same if you had the stock side tanks on a 4 core upgrade. The only disadvantage is no engine oil cooler in the side tank and the lower hose needs to be modified a little. If you are going for weight than use the F-body if you are going for cooling consider having a shop put your stock side tanks on a 4 row core.

 

[tom h]

Originally posted by turbofish38
...The advantage of the F-body is it is plastic and aluminum and weighs about 10 pounds less ... The only disadvantage is no engine oil cooler in the side tank and the lower hose needs to be modified a little.

Actually, if one uses this aluminum/plastic rad:

GM# 52481615
Delco # 20982
application- 1987 Regal/Monte 5L V8.

Then even the hose fits perfectly. It's same overall size, shape, and weight as an F-body, but all the hose connections are correct and it has no extraneous ports that need plugging.

Still no engine oil cooller, though.

 

[FastRegalWE2]

I am going for cooling capability. I will do the 4 core on my tanks then. Thanks alot for the input guys

 

[Lhorn]

Question for the guys running the F body radiators: Where are you mounting th accessory oil cooler, which one are you using? Do you simply cut your existing oil cooler lines fit them to the aftermarket cooler with barb fittings, or splice in a longer line? I'm looking for as close to factory appearance as possible. Thanks

 

[turbofish38]

Originally posted by Lhorn
Question for the guys running the F body radiators: Where are you mounting th accessory oil cooler, which one are you using? Do you simply cut your existing oil cooler lines fit them to the aftermarket cooler with barb fittings, or splice in a longer line? I'm looking for as close to factory appearance as possible. Thanks

I have a B&M auxilary mounted right next to my trans cooler. They are the plate style and when mounted side to side on the front front of the radiator look factory. I had some custom lines made out of the same black braided Aeroquip hose by a local shop that does hydraulic hose for heavy equipment.