radiator support bracket problem!

[sy1322]

well first of all, i received a radiator support bracket from a member here, but found out the 84 gn radiator is to small, and would not fit, was just wondering if the radiators are different from the 84 to 86 and 87. the reason i'm doing this is that im installing an electric fan, and want to intercool the 84 gn,

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

I will give some really good advice which will save you alot of grief, work and most likely money. The radiator support bracket sent you is a sure sign that the 86/87 radiator is bigger.

The reason people install electric fans on Hot Air cars is for the better cooling effect and the small increase in HP as a result of eliminating the clutch fan. Normally people upgrade the radiator at this point to the F-Body type.

Based on your post you want to intercool your 84. My advice to this goal will be difficult for you to understand.

Sell your 84 GN now and put the money towards an 86/87 now. This decision will save you alot of grief, work and money intercooling a Hot Air. Put this same effort on an 86/87 and you will be happier. My opinion for what is worth. Brad

 

[novaderrik]

yes, you need a bigger radiator. the good news is that they are readily available- i got a big 3 core copper/brass rad out of a mid 80's Cutlass i parted out. you can get new stock replacements pretty much anywhere- and most of them are lighter aluminum.
with that top plate and an upper radiator hose for an 87 GN, the bigger rad is a direct swap.
as for the intercooling thing, i can't help with that. but if you want an intercooled car, then buy an 86 or 87 and be done with it.
or you could be different and run a water-to-air intercooler setup like the Syclone in your sug line. seems to me that it would be easier to set something like that up than either an 86/87 stock location or aftermarket front mount intercooler.

 

[sy1322]

thanks

thanks guys for the input but Brad i love the 84 gn and all im trying to do is put an electric fan, i got the intercooler, the stock electric fan, gonna make brackets for the intercooler, clock the turbo, run some pipeing and see what else i need, by the way we got pretty much everything we need to get this done at our machine shop. and with some friends help, john and marvin who own 86/87 gn, who have been supplying me the parts that i need. i know it can be expensive, not trying to act like im better, but when you got friends trading stuff with me, its not that expensive, as if you bought everything new it would be costly, i would like to get in the 12's but we will see, the motor and tranny have been, the interior has been done, and getting the gn painted, got a conly chip, that is getting replace with a turbo tweak once i get finished putting the intercooler, i got a bigger fuel, hotwire kit, 33lbs injectors, i guess we will see what happens, and see how much it really costs.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

SY1322-My baggage is the over $9000 spent getting my Hot Air moving 12 second capable. I have some advice for you since you are going with the IC setup. Simplify and shorten your tuning time by getting the turbotweak SD chip, Powerlogger, and a wideband 02 sensor. Best of luck and keep us posted. Brad

 

[6 to go]

It is an easy addition to add an IC to a hot air car.
Swap the intake to an 86/87, cut and weld an upper
plenum to clear the turbo (no flow impact on the plenum by this),
Use an 86/87 turbo,the 86/87 throttle body, throttlecable
and cruise cable, do the readiator/fan swap,
swap the ECM to the 86/87 and
you are good to go. It will run with a stock 86/87.
Add some headers and GBodyParts D/P and you are
good to go for sure. It is cheaper than than buying
an IC car and you have something that is unique, too.
You should have seen the crowd around my 85 at
the GSCA Nats and it was one of the few hot air cars
there. Just IMHO.

 

[sy1322]

thats what i'm talking about 6 to go!!!!!! now thats what im looking for, somebody that understands what im trying to do, appreciate the comments, and brad thanks for understanding, im learning from what people have gone through, so i don't have to go through that, and save some money to, i already installed the electric fan, and gonna make a bracket for the intercooler, i will post some pics later, appreciate everybody thats helping and especially my bud, John Hanson (love them TA wheels)

 

[sy1322]

hey 6 to go, can u send some pics of your motor compartment, really interested in doing what you said, i was thinking about just clocking the hotair turbo and running piping like that, but if its to much trouble, your setup could be what im looking for, and thanks.

 

[6 to go]

Sent you some pics. E mail/PM if you have any ?'s.
I'll try to help you out.