Best Radiator Replacement
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Best Radiator Replacement Wanting to replace my radiator, in my 2002 Pontiac Trans Am LS1 Automatic. No Leaks, original radiator. Since Im replacing the power steering pump and eliminating the original power steering inline cooler, I thought I might as well change the radiator. Im installing a Turn one power steering pump and rebuilt rack and pinion from Turn one. Anyone have a suggestion on who carries a good aluminum radiator replacement, wanting an LT1 with the bigger core. Don't really want to do a lot of Modifying. Thanks for any reply!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Can anyone tell me where to look for an LT! radiator, Ive seen some but didn't have the mounts for the electric fans. Hawks Performance has a 2 row and 3 row, for under $400, but I would have to block off the automatic cooling ports and the low level sensor port. Which I don't think is a big deal. What concerns me is 2 row vs. 3 row. Ive seen 3 row cores smaller then 2 row cores. Any Help is greatly appreciated. I just don't want to put another AC Delco with plastic for the tanks.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,629
Likes: 2,551
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Can anyone tell me where to look for an LT! radiator, Ive seen some but didn't have the mounts for the electric fans. Hawks Performance has a 2 row and 3 row, for under $400, but I would have to block off the automatic cooling ports and the low level sensor port. Which I don't think is a big deal. What concerns me is 2 row vs. 3 row. Ive seen 3 row cores smaller then 2 row cores. Any Help is greatly appreciated. I just don't want to put another AC Delco with plastic for the tanks.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 877
Likes: 55
From: Poway, Ca. where GOD and the sun always shines
She was a "hot mama", now she is a "cool chick".
TECH Resident
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 866
Likes: 218
From: Montgomery (Lake Conroe,) TX north of Houston
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,629
Likes: 2,551
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Just an FYI to folks who might read this thread in the future... radiators do not require replacement on any specific age/mileage related interval. They can remain in service for decades as long as there are no leaks, no cracks, no significant damage or blockage of the fins, and no internal clogs (which would usually be the product of poor cooling system maintenance). As mentioned by a couple of folks above, there is really no benefit to replacing a radiator with none of the aforementioned problems unless greater cooling system capacity is required due to power enhancements, etc.
I'm not sure about the Fbody radiators but some of the plastic tank radiators seem to get slightly brittle with age. Replacing a 20 year old radiator might not be the worst thing to waste money on.