Alternatives to Griffin radiators?
Alternatives to Griffin radiators? Hello all,
I used a Griffin radiator for my LS Swap. My first one started leaking between the core and tank. Summit, who has always been great with customer service, replaced the radiator. Now, my 2nd radiator is leaking in the same way. Reading online has shown this to be a common issues with Griffin radiators.
What is a quality alternative to Griffin radiators?
Thank you,
Brandon
I used a Griffin radiator for my LS Swap. My first one started leaking between the core and tank. Summit, who has always been great with customer service, replaced the radiator. Now, my 2nd radiator is leaking in the same way. Reading online has shown this to be a common issues with Griffin radiators.
What is a quality alternative to Griffin radiators?
Thank you,
Brandon
Griffin is garbage. On my second one and its started seeping as well. Same place as both of yours. Look into Entropy- lifetime warranty. Or C&R. There are others but I don't have experience with them.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2008
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I've used a number of Griffin radiators in my hot rod projects. Their HP type. No issues. Currently running a Afco dual pass in my 68 C10 LS swap so the inlet and outlet are on the passenger side. Makes hose routing easier.
You're not exceeding the capacity of a stock radiator.
If your hoses can possibly work for a stocker, that's the easiest to exchange at your nearest auto parts w/ lifetime warranty.
I've put over 100,000 miles on the aluminum core, plastic tank radiators and they cool just fine in 120 degrees.
If your hoses can possibly work for a stocker, that's the easiest to exchange at your nearest auto parts w/ lifetime warranty.
I've put over 100,000 miles on the aluminum core, plastic tank radiators and they cool just fine in 120 degrees.
The folks at Howe Racing in Michigan knocked it out of the park on a custom for mine. Submitted my design by email on a Friday, it was done and on the test stand Mond - and delivered to me Thurs. This was during the dead of winter -- before pre-racing season heated up business. About $340 delivered 4 years ago. Just the rad - the SPAL fan unit was on the previous rad set up and I transferred it over. Two 1" rows, approx. 24" x 16". https://howeracing.com/
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 330
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From: Chicago, Illinois (far south)
I would never consider Griffin again, either. I've used them twice, on two different cars, and they leaked each time despite low mileage. I'd agree on Summit taking care of what they could on their end. Next time around I'll go C & R. Expensive, but a true drop in/bolt in solution.
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I've had several Champion radiators in projects. They are a great radiator that doesn't cost an arm and leg and have a good warranty. You might also look into Be cool radiators.
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While building my '39 I contacted Brice-Thomas and they sent me blueprints of a '39 radiator. I made changes to the inlet/outlet and cap location, they built the radiator which fit the original core support and has worked just fine for years.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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You're not exceeding the capacity of a stock radiator.
If your hoses can possibly work for a stocker, that's the easiest to exchange at your nearest auto parts w/ lifetime warranty.
I've put over 100,000 miles on the aluminum core, plastic tank radiators and they cool just fine in 120 degrees.
If your hoses can possibly work for a stocker, that's the easiest to exchange at your nearest auto parts w/ lifetime warranty.
I've put over 100,000 miles on the aluminum core, plastic tank radiators and they cool just fine in 120 degrees.
I had a Fluidyne radiator crap out on me a few years ago, and replaced it with a Mishimoto from Summit. So far so good, but if it ever fails, it has a lifetime warranty and I figure that Summit will stand by it.
Thanks for the recommendations guys, and keep them coming if you have any. My setup currently is a dual pass with dual electric fans, and so I'd really like to keep that type of setup. I spent a lot of time making custom mounts for this particular size radiator with rubber isolators, so I'm hoping i can find something that won't require everything to be completely redone, but if that's what it would take to get a good, solid and reliable radiator, then that's what I'll have to do.
The original radiator mount was a large, two piece plastic shroud that encapsulated the radiator as well as had the huge shroud built in, so I can't use the original mounting setup.
The original radiator mount was a large, two piece plastic shroud that encapsulated the radiator as well as had the huge shroud built in, so I can't use the original mounting setup.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 442
Thanks for the recommendations guys, and keep them coming if you have any. My setup currently is a dual pass with dual electric fans, and so I'd really like to keep that type of setup. I spent a lot of time making custom mounts for this particular size radiator with rubber isolators, so I'm hoping i can find something that won't require everything to be completely redone, but if that's what it would take to get a good, solid and reliable radiator, then that's what I'll have to do.
The original radiator mount was a large, two piece plastic shroud that encapsulated the radiator as well as had the huge shroud built in, so I can't use the original mounting setup.
The original radiator mount was a large, two piece plastic shroud that encapsulated the radiator as well as had the huge shroud built in, so I can't use the original mounting setup.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Texas
We just wanted to drop by. We reached out to Vetteman61 about this 2nd Griffin radiator he was having trouble with. He provided a good detailed description and photos of how he has this mounted. In our opinion, he has this mounted securely and with rubber isolators so he's done his job on the mounting. We're working with him to get this brought back under warranty. We ended up not having an off the shelf radiator that matches the specs of the Griffin so we're getting him refunded for this rad.
As far as quality control with the Griffin radiators. This is something that our quality control team is currently working on with Griffin. Being a large retailer we get numerous amounts of good and bad feedback that we can relay to the manufactures and vendors that we carry.
OP, the community has recommended some great alternative radiators for you. You're in good hands.
As far as quality control with the Griffin radiators. This is something that our quality control team is currently working on with Griffin. Being a large retailer we get numerous amounts of good and bad feedback that we can relay to the manufactures and vendors that we carry.
OP, the community has recommended some great alternative radiators for you. You're in good hands.
