Radiator options? Not many!

[outatime86]

Don't forget Be Cool radiators...some nice pieces but not cheap

 

[1KWIKSIX]

Hi Dave, reference two pics with Snap-On chest in the background.

pic with relief cut into top channel support of radiator is in pic embedded into post.

pic showing before cut is shown as first of four attached pics to that post.

Thanks Anthony, I see it now
Thank you

 

[grass doctor]

champion CC683 ...great stock fit ...both coolers ...and great price

 

[turboTime87]

I put the cold ice radiator and dual fan assembly together and have to say it all looks like great quality. I have to wire and finish the install still though. The 160 thermostat and billet housing arrived today from gbodyparts.

 

[turboTime87]

Just for the record the cold case radiator and dual fans fits like crap. Hardly a drop in replacement......

 

['87 Turbo "T"]

Just for the record the cold case radiator and dual fans fits like crap. Hardly a drop in replacement......

I’m guessing that you got the Grand National/Turbo model? As the other “G” Body radiators have different dimensions.

I’ve read there needs to be rubber cushion mod/trimming/removal. That being said, a lot of most most aftermarket stuff is never truly “drop in”.

 

[HighMileage]

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.

Bought a radiator from Alradco quite a while ago. Had the oil cooler built in like stock.

Not sure if they are still around.

 

[1KWIKSIX]

Unfortunately Alradco are long gone .
What happened with the Alradco you bought?

 

[HighMileage]

Unfortunately Alradco are long gone .
What happened with the Alradco you bought?

The Alradco that I bought is still in use today. I painted it black. It looks stock that way.

That’s a shame that they are gone. This is an excellent rad.

 

[1KWIKSIX]

The Alradco that I bought is still in use today. I painted it black. It looks stock that way.

That’s a shame that they are gone. This is an excellent rad.

Yup, I luv mine too

 

[1KWIKSIX]

U.S. Radiator have a drop in rad with both tanks. Just a lil pricey

Buick Grand National, 1984 -87 V6 3.8L Turbo Radiator - US Radiator

Radiator has engine oil cooler and transmission oil cooler.

usradiator.com

 

[outatime86]

https://www.opgi.com/cooling-heating/radiators/champion-series-aluminum-radiators6/radiator-alum-champion-1982-87-grand-national-t-type-3-8l-3-row-5-8-tubes-GN10117.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo5Tx3RNpfEzqxgOly5PZWqw6dkw0aHTWOpMepd65Uv5F-A0UbB

or

1982-1983-1984-1985-1986-1987-Buick-Regal-Grand-National

shop.championcooling.com

or

https://www.becool.com/product/radiator-module-direct-fit-natural-finish-86-87-buick-grand-national-w-auto-trans-be-cool

they have a 700hp option or a 1000hp option

the one i run https://www.becool.com/product/radi...h-86-87-buick-grand-national-be-cool-radiator
use my own trans and oil coolers (derale), fans (spals) n relays (home made)

 

[Ttype6]

https://www.opgi.com/cooling-heating/radiators/champion-series-aluminum-radiators6/radiator-alum-champion-1982-87-grand-national-t-type-3-8l-3-row-5-8-tubes-GN10117.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo5Tx3RNpfEzqxgOly5PZWqw6dkw0aHTWOpMepd65Uv5F-A0UbB

or

1982-1983-1984-1985-1986-1987-Buick-Regal-Grand-National

shop.championcooling.com

or

https://www.becool.com/product/radiator-module-direct-fit-natural-finish-86-87-buick-grand-national-w-auto-trans-be-cool

they have a 700hp option or a 1000hp option

the one i run Radiator Factory-Fit Natural Finish for 86-87 Buick Grand National Be Cool Radiator | Be Cool Radiators
use my own trans and oil coolers (derale), fans (spals) n relays (home made)

If you want to buy a radiator with more than one row of cooling tubes, the only kind to buy is one with two rows of 1.24" wide tubes. The one that Cold Case sells is made this way. However, your radiator isn't necessarily your problem. The biggest problem with these cars is the cooling fan. The F body radiator is all the radiator you'll need, but it will make no difference if you don't upgrade to a two fan set-up. I ended up going to the salvage yard to purchase an Intrepid fan set-up and discovered that there are two types. There is the type that everyone buys in this community and there is a heavy duty type. When you ask for an Intrepid fan at the salvage yard, they will ask if you need a five blade or a six blade which is the heavy duty version. It is completely different from the five blade design that is so popular in this community and one fan is low speed and the other is high speed. No one make a wiring harness for it so you will have to make your own. After fabricating everything I needed to get these fans running, I was able to participate in our annual car event here in Flint for the first time ever and buy that I mean I was able to sit in stop and go traffic for one mile with an 80 degree ambient air temp and with a 160 degree thermostat and with both fans running the coolant temp remained at 158 degrees through the entire mile. It's all about moving air. Even the Cold Case will not keep your engine cool if you don't move air through it.

 

[turboTime87]

If you want to buy a radiator with more than one row of cooling tubes, the only kind to buy is one with two rows of 1.24" wide tubes. The one that Cold Case sells is made this way. However, your radiator isn't necessarily your problem. The biggest problem with these cars is the cooling fan. The F body radiator is all the radiator you'll need, but it will make no difference if you don't upgrade to a two fan set-up. I ended up going to the salvage yard to purchase an Intrepid fan set-up and discovered that there are two types. There is the type that everyone buys in this community and there is a heavy duty type. When you ask for an Intrepid fan at the salvage yard, they will ask if you need a five blade or a six blade which is the heavy duty version. It is completely different from the five blade design that is so popular in this community and one fan is low speed and the other is high speed. No one make a wiring harness for it so you will have to make your own. After fabricating everything I needed to get these fans running, I was able to participate in our annual car event here in Flint for the first time ever and buy that I mean I was able to sit in stop and go traffic for one mile with an 80 degree ambient air temp and with a 160 degree thermostat and with both fans running the coolant temp remained at 158 degrees through the entire mile. It's all about moving air. Even the Cold Case will not keep your engine cool if you don't move air through it.

I did the cold case along with their dual fan and shroud setup. I also installed a 160 thermostat. Both fans are wired with the cold case harness which turns them both on at 190.

 

[1KWIKSIX]

I did the cold case along with their dual fan and shroud setup. I also installed a 160 thermostat. Both fans are wired with the cold case harness which turns them both on at 190.

Hmmm, I thought that fan on/off set points were controlled & set in the chip?(At least mine are on my Bob Bailey’s’ Extender Extreme G Chip).