Houston_t

iTrader: (2)

Looking to pick up a radiator for my 71 cutlass with a stock 6.0 ls2 motor, can get a new stock replacement radiator from autozone for 100 bucks and they say its rated to cool even a 455. Only thing is it has plastic tanks and is a 1 row, kinda has me thinking, anybody use one with their ls swap ? Looking for some input as I can't afford a aluminum rad right now 100 is about my budget and I prefer to go new with a warranty.

usdmholden

I'm planning on running the equivalent in my Mustang, it's the stock 2.3L 4 cylinder radiator, single aluminum row, plastic tanks, a couple years old, typical low price auto part store unit. If it's not enough I'll swap it out for something more heavy duty at a later date.

Honestly I believe most people highly overkill the cooling system. I can't see this radiator being a problem for my aluminum LS1.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

I somewhat agree with usdmholden on the overkill.. I am going to be running a stock 02 Radiator in my Nova Swap.. if that doesn't workout, then I'll look into an aluminum after.

What is key to cooling is the Fan settings and good Air Flow to the radiator. There are many reason to cause or add to overheating. To much timeing, lean AFR, incorrect Anti-Freeze mixture, air Pockets in the system, leaks, etc....and many others.

But since your on a budget and the engine is Stock. .try it and let us know how it works out. IMO, It should be enough. But just make sure it is not a cheaply built one. You can also try 1-800-Radiator...

BC

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

I'm running a stock GM radiator from an Astro van. Has cooled the LS2 fine for 5+ years now, single row, plastic end tanks and all. In fact, some people argue that the plastic end tanks are actually preferable to aluminum ones because they are less prone to leaking, but I don't want to have that argument.

Modern aluminum radiators have an improved tube design and a few other features that allows them to cool better than the old school brass radiators. This allows them to be smaller and use less rows.

Just make sure to mount it with rubber isolators to prevent internal corrosion.

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

I cooled a stock 5.3 in my 300zx with the 25 year old copper 2 row that came with it. I upgraded when I did the H/C/I.

I remember someone's build was using a stock Civic radiator for an LS engine. Couldn't tell you what one it was though.

Houston_t

iTrader: (2)

Cool sounds like I'll give it a try, or I could go with a aluminum 2 row I just saw on eBay for about 35 bucks more. I figure there both made in china anyway right ? Should I go that route or just stick with the auto parts replacement ? Thanks for the help guys.

Houston_t

iTrader: (2)

By the way the one an eBay is made by a company called silla.

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

I'd get something local with a warranty if you're going the cheap route.

ijimmy

I think the ls engines in genral tend to run cooler than your average small block , to me welded alluminum would be my first choice , but sounds like many are haveing luck with the plastic tanks , i know most cars have them as stock equipment howadays

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

Another option is to hit a pick-n-pull type of boneyard and see what you can find. Lots of cars in there with new radiators to fix that overheating from the blown head gasket.

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

I used a radiator from a C4 Corvette in my second gen RX7. It was a single row with plastic tanks. The engine never overheated. With the open grill of your Cutlass I bet it will work great. The bonus is that the C4 Corvette radiator has the same inlet and outlet size an a LS engine. Make finding hoses much easier.

Andrew

71403

If it fits for $100 just go for it. The AL core stuff is years ahead of the brass rads.

I did the j/y "find one that fits" in my '71, used a single row AL rad from a random early 90's GM car. Cools better than any 2 or 3 row brass rad that was ever in the car even kept an old-school 403 Olds cool.

Now if I could just remember what it came out of.

Camaro9969

iTrader: (12)

If you actually buy the auto radiator its thicker than stock I just bought one for my turbo build and was surprised. It also has been working great with my car. Plus if you go on advances online store you can use a coupon code to get 20% off I paid like 87 bucks haha

Houston_t

iTrader: (2)

Went ahead and bought the radiator from autozone, seems to be of good quality and is actually a little thicker than I thought it would be. Also stopped by the junkyard and picked up a dual electric fan off a windstar for 35 bucks, looks like I got some work for the weekend.

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

kool. Should be rocking.