LS vs Gen1 SBC Cooling
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Teching In
Joined: Apr 2019
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LS vs Gen1 SBC Cooling So my foxbody had a 355 sbc in it with a 19 x 24 dual core aluminum radiator from AFCO. I’m currently mocking up my S475 for the LQ4 I swapped in.. and I’m wondering if the LS engines required less cooling system capability than an old gen1 sbc. I’m thinking newer tech and aluminum heads should make it better but I’m looking for information from someone that has been through this or has expertise in this subject.
Typically...LS engines run cooler with same cooling surface area, ie radiator, mod for mod, meaning same compression, rpm range, etc. That radiator size seems smallish, but if it cooled your sbc, I’d go for it, again, as long as equal mods. Watch your gauge at first drive/pass and see what it does.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: jacksonville,fl
Agree with above. Swapped sbc to ls, ran cooler with same setup. Also in general inadequate fan airflow will more affect around town lower speed cooling where too small a radiator will more affect highway & high output loads.
What they said.
My 91 RS had a stock SBC 305 TBI and stock radiator. Stock radiator was rated for a 350 iron block with iron heads. The radiator is more than adequate for the aluminum 383 LS1. The 383 LS runs cooler than with 305 did even with a 25 percent underdrive pulley. The RS was upgraded with dual Spall fans
My 91 RS had a stock SBC 305 TBI and stock radiator. Stock radiator was rated for a 350 iron block with iron heads. The radiator is more than adequate for the aluminum 383 LS1. The 383 LS runs cooler than with 305 did even with a 25 percent underdrive pulley. The RS was upgraded with dual Spall fans
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Okay good because I’m making a huge jump doubling the horsepower and eventually tripling what I had with the 355 but I felt my cooling system was even overkill for that old setup. It could idle and drive all day long and once the thermostat opened it dropped from 185 to 160 in a couple seconds
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Okay good because I’m making a huge jump doubling the horsepower and eventually tripling what I had with the 355 but I felt my cooling system was even overkill for that old setup. It could idle and drive all day long and once the thermostat opened it dropped from 185 to 160 in a couple seconds
Now I have a turbo 5.3 at 730 HP, I was sick of staring at the temp gauge all the time so I switched to a 4 row aluminum radiator rated to 900 HP.
I now have a transbrake, building boost at the line with a 5.3 and big turbo makes a lot of heat, after a pass the car returns to the pits already at normal temp. Very amazing
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