Radiator roundup - cooling bonanza

[87GN_70GS]

I can't get the table formatting to turn out right but here goes:

I've done some research to come up with a simple scheme to rank or rate the numerous radiators. This is a simple, first order, tube-capacity type approach and doesn't consider all the variables (like fin heighth, etc.), but I think it'll get pretty close. One major contributor to cooling efficiency is tube capacity (up to some limit where stacking tubes on top of each other would result in little or no air flow) ignoring other airflow issues like a thick core and high fin count which lead to aerodynamic drag and drive up fan cfm requirements. Heat transfer characteristics of the specific materials were also not considered, as were issues with solder, epoxy, etc. My simple yardstick (index) is simply the total number of tubes, times tube depth (front-to-rear), times a flat/tube factor. This factor (FTR) penalizes smaller (say 3/8") tubes and favors larger (say 1.25") tubes, simply because in a smaller tube, there is less flat area to bond to the fins as opposed to a larger tube where there is more flat area and less area having no useable bonding area due to the ends being curved. In other words, there is more useable flat area on a single 1" tube than there is on two 1/2" tubes. It is calculated by dividing the total flat length by the total tube length. That being said here is my table, ranked by index:

type # tubes tube length" tube-ins FTR index

Griffin 82 1.25 AL 102.5 .95 97.4 $295 univ. summitracing.com
Rac-rad.com 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $170 univ. race-pro ebay, racing-radiators.com
Summit 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $180 univ. summitracing.com
RonDavis 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $219 univ. rondavisradiators.com
RodneyRed 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $435 cust. rodneyred.com
AFCO 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $170 univ. ebay
Howe 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $200 univ. summitracing.com
Radac 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $280 univ. www.radac.com
Rac-rad.com 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $280 cust. all-pro ebay, racing-radiators.com
BeCool 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $290 univ. summitracing.com
PRC 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $325 cust. streetrodstuff.com
Griffin 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $190 univ. summitracing.com
CAS 80 1.0 AL 80 .94 75.2 $550 cust. chargedair.com
GDI3VX 135 5/8 CB 84.4 .9 75.9 $300 recore only
5HER 225 3/8 CB 84.4 .83 70.0 $350 recore only
5STD 150 1/2 CB 75 .87 65.3 $400 recore only
4HER 180 3/8 CB 67.5 .83 56.0 $300 3R11460, recore only
4STD 120 1/2 CB 60 .87 52.2 1R858
AC20571 39 1-3/8 AL 53.6 .96 51.5 $164 1R2397, 1R953 carparts.com
3HER 135 3/8 CB 50.6 .83 42.0 1R2311
3STD 90 1/2 CB 45 .87 39.1 $137 1R2511 carparts.com
2X2k 90 1/2 CB 45 .87 39.1 1R841

In most cases tranny coolers were not included, and in all cases, both trans and engine oil coolers were not available unless special ordered (more $). Prices quoted are those found with the only consideration given to lowest $ amount.

Notes:

2X2K is the Modine 2-row X2000 core, 1/2" tubes on 3/8" centers. Available as a complete radiator only, Modine 1R841, 2044, 2140, 2141 CB.

3STD is the 3-row standard core (GM, Harrison, Modine, etc.), 1/2" tubes on 9/16" centers (vertically), 30 rows of tubes in a 16-7/8" tall core, 3 tubes per row, Modine 1R2511, GDI 43-3162 copper-brass (CB).

3HER is the 3-row GM High-Efficiency "HE" (or Modine "H", or GDI "VE") core, 3/8" tubes on 1/2" centers, 45 rows, 3 tubes/row, CB.

AC20571 is the AC-Delco 20571 (Transport, Silhouette, Lumina) aluminum (AL) radiator, 1-3/8" tubes, 1 tube/row, also Modine 1R2397, 1R953. GDI 432397. Same as F-body except don't get the Modine 1R951, only 1-1/8" tubes.

4STD is the standard 4-row, 1/2" tubes on 9/16" centers, 30 rows, 4 tubes/row, CB, like the Modine 1R858 or GDI 43-3858.

4HER is the 4-row GM HE core, CB, available as a recore only.

5STD is the standard 5-row.

5HER is the 5-row GM HE (or GDI "VE") core, CB, recore only.

GDI3VX is the 3-row, big-tube CB Go-Dan "VX" core, 5/8" tubes on 3/8" centers, 3 tubes/row. Also Radac "D" core, also (I think) Micale's and Holm's core.

Griffin is either 1" or 1.25" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.

PRC is the streetrodstuff AL rad, 1" tubes on 1/2" centers, 2 tubes/row, AL.

Howe is a AL 1" tube core, 2 tubes/row.

Be-Cool is 1" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.

RodneyRed is 1" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.

RonDavis is 1" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.

Racing-radiators race-pro and Northern are the same.

Issues:

It's interesting to note that the highest indexed CB unit is the big-tube 3-row GDI3VX.

If anyone feels this data may be in error, please feel free to offer corrections, suggestions, comments, flames, etc.

 

[Pitbozz]

You lost me about 3 lines in!!! But, I know the f-body radiator works well. Don't know if you had that listed or not.

 

[fast eddie]

my f-body rad from autozone keeps my car a cool 175 just about all the time and what a weight savings too

 

[5ltretr]

what year f-body rad? Looking for a replacement.
thanks

 

[fast eddie]

87 f-body aluminum with plastic end caps,for 350 small block

 

[IrvJr]

Does the F body rad have the oil and tranny coolers? Whats the cost?

Scott

 

[87GN_70GS]

The F-body is mentioned in the footnotes, but the Modine 1R951 is not the best choice as the tubes are only 1-1/8". The GDI (432397) and ACDelco (AC20571) F-body have bigger tubes at 1-3/8". Modine does offer a 1-3/8" tube aluminum, but it's for the Transport and Lumina van (1R2397, 1R953).
The 1R951 is only slightly (~6%) more efficient than the STD 3-row. The 1-3/8" units have ~32% more capacity than stock.

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

Originally posted by 87GN_70GS
The F-body is mentioned in the footnotes, but the Modine 1R951 is not the best choice as the tubes are only 1-1/8". The GDI (432397) and ACDelco (AC20571) F-body have bigger tubes at 1-3/8". Modine does offer a 1-3/8" tube aluminum, but it's for the Transport and Lumina van (1R2397, 1R953).
The 1R951 is only slightly (~6%) more efficient than the STD 3-row. The 1-3/8" units have ~32% more capacity than stock.

is the modine 1-3/8 radiator for the lumina the same deminsions as the 87 camaro?

also, i cant see the 951 only being 6% more efficient than a stock radiator...
we have seen 15 degree drop over stock setup, perhaps our stock radiators are shot and needed to be replaces since they were only working at 70% efficiency???

thanks for all the info
BW

 

[national]

So..you seem to be able to read all the fine info better than me..what sounds best for a front mount..Ive always heard less FPR(fins per inch) is better for a front mount because it lets air through easier..but dont know for sure..
Brian

 

[Pitbozz]

Irv...It has the tranny cooler but not the oil cooler. I bypassed both and use external coolers, but I was planning on doing that anyway. Something about using hot fluids to cool hot fluids never really made sense to me.

As far as the efficiency, my stock one was badly clogged. But the way the f-body one is working in my car, if there is only a 6% difference in it and stock, then the stock one must have been working pretty d@mn good when new.

 

[87GN_70GS]

1R951 has a tranny cooler on the passenger side.
1R953 has a tranny cooler on the driver's side.
1R2397 has 2 tranny coolers, one each on driver and passenger side.

For a front mount, IMO, I would get the big tube 3-row recore, 14-16 fpi, from GDI, RADAC, Micale or Holms.

The Lumina has the same size core as the 87 'maro, but the left end tank is slightly larger due to the extra oil cooler.

 

[87GN_70GS]

Both the GDI and AcDelco F-body rads are 1-3/8" and would be a better choice than the Modine (1-1/8"), unless the number on the Modine drawing is a misprint.

 

[ijames]

The F-body radiator recommended in another recent thread was for a 1990 Camaro, 5.0L vin E. This is the GDI 438918 in copper/brass and 433918 in aluminum/plastic, or the 1R951 Modine. You list a different GDI number - any idea what the differences are? The 433918 is what a friend used. It has a trans cooler on the passenger side with fittings on the motor side, and no oil cooler, and did a great job cooling his car with a frontmount.

 

[ijames]

Any specs on the GDI 438918?

 

[Two Lane]

Very Useful Info

Very informative thread!

 

[national]

87GN>> I sent you a private message cause i didnt have your email..was just asking your advice again..Id like to know if you could tell me any part#s for the recores that would have the FPI that you recommened earlier..in modine..GDI or RADAC..
Thanks for any info..this is a very good topic..gets deep into the lil stuff of radiators that can make a huge difference
Thanks,Brian

 

[national]

Any more helpful info from anyone..this is an excellent thread that needs to keep going..I wanted to go with tony dequicks radiator at first then arizonagn's but the shipping just kills me the the wait is the worst part..Also I have a friend that has a radiator show & would love to find something similar to theres in either RADAC,Modine or GDI (best FPI for a frontmount)then I can get it wholsale so I can spend money elsewhere..I really dont need a radiator that bad myself but would buy if I could get one cheap enough..yes Im tight & never drive my car..wife wont approve of much spending while its sitting in the garage..trying to build a new house soon..saving every penny as of now..Lets get this post rolling a lil more
Brian

 

[Two Lane]

Originally posted by 87GN_70GS


The Lumina has the same size core as the 87 'maro, but the left

end tank is slightly larger due to the extra oil cooler.

O.K.,

For clarity's sake, does the rad referenced above have the 1 3/8 aluminum core with plastic end tanks and:

A transmission cooler AND an oil cooler?

TIA!!

 

[Two Lane]

T T T

TIA!!

 

[87GN_70GS]

The F-body radiator recommended in another recent thread was for a 1990 Camaro, 5.0L vin E. This is the GDI 438918 in copper/brass and 433918 in aluminum/plastic, or the 1R951 Modine. You list a different GDI number - any idea what the differences are? The 433918 is what a friend used.

The 438918 is a 3-row GM HER core. The 433918 is 1-3/8" thick AL core. Modine 1R2397 and GDI 432397 have 2 tranny coolers, one each on driver and passenger side, 1-3/8" AL core. The Modine 1R951 is only 1-1/8" thick (confirmed by Modine).