lt1 radiator a direct drop in?
Tip: When you have the radiator out - don't forget to clean the AC condensor core - especially the bottom - most are blocked off with sand and dirt up from botton of the condensor 5-6 inches cutting the effectiveness of the condensor by at least 25 percent.
If you have an A4 - you can bypass the radiator completely by running the transmission oil lines directly through an external cooler. If you do that, then get the standard shift radiator instead of the automatic version. The standard version capacity is increased as a result of not having the cooling section for the automatic transmission built into the radiator.
Last edited by dlandsvZ28; Jan 7, 2009 at 09:04 PM.
Standing both next to each other the LT1 version is thicker (about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch).
Add the increased capacity along with bypassing the transmission lines (if you have an A4 or the standard transmission that doesn't have the section for cooling the trans oil lines) and you have LTL1 radiator that is much more efficient than the LS1 version.
I read that the reason the LT1 version had added capacity was because the LT1 block was iron compared to the LS1 which is aluminum.
Note: There are naysayers that say the stock radiator is fine - probably because they don't drive it areas like Kansas, Okl, Texas, and Mexico etc where summer temps are high 90' and even over 100 degrees.
I got a new radiator (for an automatic part no CU1486 -1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28) and paid $125. The part number for a standard transmission will probably be different as it won't have provisions for the automatic transmission lines.
I had previously ordered one from SLP thru Thunder Racing and the price was $299. When I got it the filler neck was broken - so returned it - but unable to get another because SLP doesn't sell them anymore (Thunder had one in stock - but it was damaged). So got one from the local (SPI) radiator distributor and picked it up the same day.
Side by side comparison show that the 97 version is thicker and it did cool better compared to the 98 version. I replaced the 97 version with a BeCool (due to ATI charger overheating) so I have a practically new used 97 auto version with less than 500 miles on it.
hth
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The difference in size is obvious btween the two - so go with the 97 version that has more capacity (see pics in link below). I would get a standard transmission version since you are buying new.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ator-pics.html
hth
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