Mounting a 4th gen radiator in a 3rd gen?
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From: Forreston, IL
Mounting a 4th gen radiator in a 3rd gen? I am having a little trouble trying to come up with a way to do this so that it is secure enough, and doesn't look like a hack job. What has everyone else done that has done this? Please post up pics if you have any.
Chris
Chris
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From: Forreston, IL
here are some pics This is what I have so far. I thought that I could just cut a 2 inch section of the black piece that holds the top of the radiator, and the mounting rubber pieces and the holes would just line up. It did not work like I thought it would. I need a way to do this so that it is secure, and looks clean and not all hacked up.
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So a 4th gen rad fits in a thirdgen? How much work did you have to do to make if fit and look like it belongs under the hood? The reason I am asking is because I was going to have a custom aluminum 3rd gen rad made for my LS1 swap but if the 4th gen rad fits it will save me some money.
it doesnt really fit.
every single one ive seen (about 8) either looks like a hackjob, or they redid the entire metal radiator support section on the bottom for it to fit right. the only way you can make it fit in there and look halfway decient is to cut and modify the bottom radiator support area.
i ended up keeping my stock 3rdgen radiator.
every single one ive seen (about 8) either looks like a hackjob, or they redid the entire metal radiator support section on the bottom for it to fit right. the only way you can make it fit in there and look halfway decient is to cut and modify the bottom radiator support area.
i ended up keeping my stock 3rdgen radiator.
Originally Posted by MrDude_1
it doesnt really fit.
every single one ive seen (about 8) either looks like a hackjob, or they redid the entire metal radiator support section on the bottom for it to fit right. the only way you can make it fit in there and look halfway decient is to cut and modify the bottom radiator support area.
i ended up keeping my stock 3rdgen radiator.
every single one ive seen (about 8) either looks like a hackjob, or they redid the entire metal radiator support section on the bottom for it to fit right. the only way you can make it fit in there and look halfway decient is to cut and modify the bottom radiator support area.
i ended up keeping my stock 3rdgen radiator.
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Originally Posted by 91sbcamaro
Did you have yours re-cored or do any modifications to it? ive heard that sometimes the thirdgen ones are capable of keeping the LS1 cool?
my LS1 has never gone anywhere near overheating, even in traffic or idling after raggin on it hard, in high humidity, upper 90s/lower100* weather.... and i have "only" the single electric fan..
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Originally Posted by MrDude_1
the later 3rdgens have the same alum core and plastic end tank design as the LT1 and LS1 radiators.... the core is almost identical... only the end tanks are molded diffrently.
my LS1 has never gone anywhere near overheating, even in traffic or idling after raggin on it hard, in high humidity, upper 90s/lower100* weather.... and i have "only" the single electric fan..
my LS1 has never gone anywhere near overheating, even in traffic or idling after raggin on it hard, in high humidity, upper 90s/lower100* weather.... and i have "only" the single electric fan..
Originally Posted by MrDude_1
it doesnt really fit.
every single one ive seen (about 8) either looks like a hackjob, or they redid the entire metal radiator support section on the bottom for it to fit right. the only way you can make it fit in there and look halfway decient is to cut and modify the bottom radiator support area.
i ended up keeping my stock 3rdgen radiator.
every single one ive seen (about 8) either looks like a hackjob, or they redid the entire metal radiator support section on the bottom for it to fit right. the only way you can make it fit in there and look halfway decient is to cut and modify the bottom radiator support area.
i ended up keeping my stock 3rdgen radiator.
got them from a frontal impact car.
my ls1 fans fit without modifying the car. i used the 93-97 radiator hold down.
i didnt cut or chop or hackjob the chassis at all.
it has to sit in a certain position t fit properly, but it can be done.
ive seen other people do it as well, and it does like crap.
really the only reason i did it is to say i did it. my stock replacement 3rd gen rad did the job just fine, prolly a few degrees better, as the ls1 version is a few inches smaller in width.
Originally Posted by shr00m-dew
TJ,
Did you swap to R&P? When I tried the LS1 rad with it's fans they were hitting the stock steering box bad..
Kevin D.
Did you swap to R&P? When I tried the LS1 rad with it's fans they were hitting the stock steering box bad..
Kevin D.
i have a manual steering box off an s10 on the car. there is no room whatsoever there, as i had to push down with a bit of force, but not too much to get it to fit.
if you stand the rad strait up, there is actually more room than trying to put it in at an angle.
the s10 box is the same size as the factory in the front, so i dont see a PS box being an issue, tho ive heard of some guys just cutting off the shroud in that area to clear it.
Hmm. I cut the shroud a bit and still think I had issues. I might have gotten it to fit but couldn't see an easy way to get the top piece on. I'm trying to get a ram-air filter worked out with my hood, so I may use the stock LS1 air filter pieces and top cap and try the radiator again.
My Wife's parents live in Pensacola, next time we're down after the car is finished we will have to meet up and compare.
Kevin D.
My Wife's parents live in Pensacola, next time we're down after the car is finished we will have to meet up and compare.
Kevin D.
Originally Posted by shr00m-dew
Hmm. I cut the shroud a bit and still think I had issues. I might have gotten it to fit but couldn't see an easy way to get the top piece on. I'm trying to get a ram-air filter worked out with my hood, so I may use the stock LS1 air filter pieces and top cap and try the radiator again.
My Wife's parents live in Pensacola, next time we're down after the car is finished we will have to meet up and compare.
Kevin D.
My Wife's parents live in Pensacola, next time we're down after the car is finished we will have to meet up and compare.
Kevin D.
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my concern was that the filler cap would hit the hood, does it? I want to utilize the radiator so i can hook up the sensors that go to it and the same
for my dual fans i want to be able to have the computer control the fans, i have a complete 1999 m6 donor car im using so as much as i can get from
that car the better..
for my dual fans i want to be able to have the computer control the fans, i have a complete 1999 m6 donor car im using so as much as i can get from
that car the better..
The fill cap does not hit the hood
FWIW, the 3rd gen rad is larger than any 4th gen rads. Mounting the fans simply requires trimming the shroud and upper hold down. The steam line can go to the heater core port
Use a 93-95 V6 Fbody upper hose and a jeep lower
FWIW, the 3rd gen rad is larger than any 4th gen rads. Mounting the fans simply requires trimming the shroud and upper hold down. The steam line can go to the heater core port
Use a 93-95 V6 Fbody upper hose and a jeep lower
