Radiator options? Not many!

[turboTime87]

Hey guys, I'm in the middle of trying to resurrect an 87 Turbo T thats been sitting in a garage since 2001. The factory radiator developed a pinhole in the bottom of it and overall just isn't in great shape. I have searched this site and Google and there just aren't many drop in options that retain the oil and trans coolers, but also don't require any modifications to the radiator cover or area.

I found a carquest one from advance but they cancelled the order due to lack of inventory apparently. Cold case and the aluminum ones don't appear to fit perfectly like factory. Champion doesn't have many reviews. Are there any other options out there?

Located in Maryland if anyone has a good factory or used one. The project has hit me with more roadblocks than anticipated unfortunately so I'd rather not drop 500+ if I don't have to seeing as I havent even been able to tell if the trans is good etc.

 

[turboTime87]

Just found this one i am going to give a try. Stock photo was used for a couple options but hopefully this will work.

 

['87 Turbo "T"]

I personally will be going to a Cold case this winter myself. There are plenty of threads on radiators, so type what your looking for into the search bar. Some people just delete the oil cooler(I did) & just use the trans cooler. However since you asked, here are some other options. Some more cost effective than others.

You can get your original re-cored/fixed at local radiator shop
You can look for one out of a V8(307 C.I.) Regal
You can get on for an 90's GM "F"-body(plastic tanks but seem to work well)
You can go Cold Case (minor mod needed & expensive)
You can go Champion

I have the "F" Body now with the dual Intrepid fan set-up. With an ESP front mount, 134a condenser, the radiator I run around 180*-190*(I run a 180 stat as I drive late into the colder months), & I will pull a sheet of paper to the grill.

 

[turboTime87]

Thanks, I'm gonna call a radiator shop tomorrow. The search on this site had results but many are from 4+ years ago and some of the companies aren't around anymore. I'd really like to keep the oil and trans cooler just because I'm trying to keep the car somewhat a survivor.

 

[BEATAV8]

That one from rock auto isn't bad. I saw one in person not too long ago. I don't recall where the drain valve was though.... it should be on the pass side.

 

[wdxwrx]

Two weeks ago, I had the original radiator on my low milage (21K) 100% stock '87 GN recored (it was amazingly clogged).
It cost about $500. Works, fits and looks perfect. Because the original tanks are reused, the oil cooler remains.

 

[turboTime87]

Two weeks ago, I had the original radiator on my low milage (21K) 100% stock '87 GN recored (it was amazingly clogged).
It cost about $500. Works, fits and looks perfect. Because the original tanks are reused, the oil cooler remains.

I just called one of the only shops by me and was told $1250 to recore!

 

[wdxwrx]

WOW!!
There's a local radiator shop here in Connecticut. He uses cores from a manufacturer in Maine. High quality stuff. He's recored a bunch of radiators for me. As I said it was $500 two weeks ago. Maybe you can ship it to him if that works for you (even with the shipping costs it would still be a LOT cheaper). He does great work. Every one has worked perfect. If you're interested, I can give you his info.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

I just called one of the only shops by me and was told $1250 to recore!

This radiator shop is a joke. Shop around.

 

[TurboTGuy]

This radiator shop is a joke. Shop around.

They hear Grand National and price doubles. Assholes.

 

[turboTime87]

I just sucked it up and bought a cold case with dual fans and wiring harness. Paid just under 800 shipped for everything. Buy once cry once.

 

[ROYAL_6]

I am running a Cold Case radiator with dual Spal fans. Great set up.

 

[Hunter Dog]

Our local shop said $800 to recore our stock radiatore four years ago. I said no to that and bought a Cold Case that was on sale at the time. Been happy with it's performance. Be sure IF you put one in, you need to be certain you keep the heads of the screws in the housing of the stock fan away from it because it is quite a bit wider than the original. It is also taller and requires modifcations, it is not a direct fit as some have tried to say it is. Maybe get different screws and/or attach it to the outside vs inside of the support area below that has the two screws 11" apart. Don't ask me why I am mentioning this..

 

[chris romani]

Champion makes a very good radiator for these cars it’s a drop in with both coolers c my builder has used them on many cars and he says there excellent.They are very in expensive as well they can be bought from radiator vendors on EBay.

 

[Anthony P]

Did you contact ArizonaGN - 'ole Uncle Nick's shop in AZ? While Uncle Nick passed a few months ago, I believe his guys are still working and the shop is still going. I just saw a fbook post where ArizonaGN was at an event - so I'm thinking that was his son or one of the guys.

If you send them the end tanks from your OE radiator, he recored it with what he called his "desert core" - a 3-row core that performed wonderfully in the desert southwest. And the recored rad is still a drop-in solution. More details can be found on the website, but the re-cored rad was $425 using your end tanks. Maybe add $75 for return shipping to you with today's UPS / FedEx costs.

His radiator guy liked to separate the end tanks from the core himself. So leave a few inches of the old core where it meets the end tank. Sawzall and scrap the rest of the core for a few bucks in your pocket.

I'd reach out to ArizonaGN to inquire about recoring your factory radiator. Link below...

High Efficiency Radiator | Arizona Grand National

www.arizonagrandnational.com

If you stick with the ColdCase unit, know that you can fold down the metal tab on the core support rather than cutting it. Also know that Lorenz's shop has been removing that interfering piece from the Cold Case radiator, rather than cutting or folding the metal tab on the radiator support. Yeah, modifying the ColdCase radiator voids their warranty, bla bla bla. If you ever had a problem, you're not going to remove it, pack it, and pay to ship it back to them for repair. You'll put the cost of shipping and your time to pack it to better use finding a local weldery to make the repair.



pics attached are from Lorenz's fbook posting in Jul'21 showing a nicely painted ColdCase rad with a relief cut into the top channel support for a low mileage GN they were refreshing.

 

[turboTime87]

Awesome thank you! The cold case got delivered today

 

[OConnor]

I would much rather cut the radiator than the car! Thank you for posting this

 

[1KWIKSIX]

Did you contact ArizonaGN - 'ole Uncle Nick's shop in AZ? While Uncle Nick passed a few months ago, I believe his guys are still working and the shop is still going. I just saw a fbook post where ArizonaGN was at an event - so I'm thinking that was his son or one of the guys.

If you send them the end tanks from your OE radiator, he recored it with what he called his "desert core" - a 3-row core that performed wonderfully in the desert southwest. And the recored rad is still a drop-in solution. More details can be found on the website, but the re-cored rad was $425 using your end tanks. Maybe add $75 for return shipping to you with today's UPS / FedEx costs.

His radiator guy liked to separate the end tanks from the core himself. So leave a few inches of the old core where it meets the end tank. Sawzall and scrap the rest of the core for a few bucks in your pocket.

I'd reach out to ArizonaGN to inquire about recoring your factory radiator. Link below...

High Efficiency Radiator | Arizona Grand National

www.arizonagrandnational.com

If you stick with the ColdCase unit, know that you can fold down the metal tab on the core support rather than cutting it. Also know that Lorenz's shop has been removing that interfering piece from the Cold Case radiator, rather than cutting or folding the metal tab on the radiator support. Yeah, modifying the ColdCase radiator voids their warranty, bla bla bla. If you ever had a problem, you're not going to remove it, pack it, and pay to ship it back to them for repair. You'll put the cost of shipping and your time to pack it to better use finding a local weldery to make the repair.

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pics attached are from Lorenz's fbook posting in Jul'21 showing a nicely painted ColdCase rad with a relief cut into the top channel support for a low mileage GN they were refreshing.

I don’t see the relief cut into the radiator tjat you’re referring to

 

[V6sleeper]

Champion makes a very good radiator for these cars it’s a drop in with both coolers c my builder has used them on many cars and he says there excellent.They are very in expensive as well they can be bought from radiator vendors on EBay.

I run these as well. i was initially reluctant years ago because of the cheap price but i have since ate my words..they work great