Aluminum Radiator
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Energy Vortex's
Aluminum Radiator So I was cruising around on eBay and this popped up. I was curious
if anyone is running one? It looks like a nice piece, just the mounting
tabs where the fans hang look questionable. Thoughts?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310669409204...84.m1438.l2649
if anyone is running one? It looks like a nice piece, just the mounting
tabs where the fans hang look questionable. Thoughts?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310669409204...84.m1438.l2649
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Berlin
So I was cruising around on eBay and this popped up. I was curious
if anyone is running one? It looks like a nice piece, just the mounting
tabs where the fans hang look questionable. Thoughts?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310669409204...84.m1438.l2649
if anyone is running one? It looks like a nice piece, just the mounting
tabs where the fans hang look questionable. Thoughts?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310669409204...84.m1438.l2649
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,346
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From: Energy Vortex's
I would hold off on it for the time being. Im really concerned with the quality
of the fan mounting tabs. They look pretty damn flimsy. I was hoping someone
with some knowledge of this, would chime in. This radiator seems like a fairly
new product.
of the fan mounting tabs. They look pretty damn flimsy. I was hoping someone
with some knowledge of this, would chime in. This radiator seems like a fairly
new product.
Truthfully the stock LT1 radiator is so good there's (usually) no need to upgrade it. Many of the high-HP LT1 guys run stock radiators. The LT1 radiator is even an upgrade for the LS1 guys (imagine that).
Totally agree, although it cost me $90 to find a used factory one after the plastic split on mine.
I say you buy it and find reply with your findings on fitment, cooling, ect. Somebody has to be the guinea pig!
Looks better than the stock replacements, and WAY cheaper than a comparable Be Cool aluminimun one. Who knows, it may actually cool better.
Looks better than the stock replacements, and WAY cheaper than a comparable Be Cool aluminimun one. Who knows, it may actually cool better.
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Thread Starter
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From: Energy Vortex's
Im thinking about it. Its also not much larger than the stock one. Still
trying to debate if its worth the extra $100 over a stock replacement.
They claim at least a 40% increase in efficiency, but I dont see where
they can make those claims looking at the specs.
Aluminum Specs:
Radiator size: 30.0" ( width ) x 18.0" ( height ) x 2.0" ( depth )
Core size: 25.0" ( width ) x 17.25" ( height ) x 1.75" ( depth )
Stock Specs:
Radiator size: 29.5" x 18.5" x 1.5"
Core size: 24-3/4" x 17.25" x 1.5"
trying to debate if its worth the extra $100 over a stock replacement.
They claim at least a 40% increase in efficiency, but I dont see where
they can make those claims looking at the specs.
Aluminum Specs:
Radiator size: 30.0" ( width ) x 18.0" ( height ) x 2.0" ( depth )
Core size: 25.0" ( width ) x 17.25" ( height ) x 1.75" ( depth )
Stock Specs:
Radiator size: 29.5" x 18.5" x 1.5"
Core size: 24-3/4" x 17.25" x 1.5"
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
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From: Energy Vortex's
Used one from these guys on a couple LT1 cars, never had any issues
to this day.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RADIATOR-FOR-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-V8-5-7-02-01-00-97-96-95-94-93-RADITOR-ACR1486-/251283048523?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1995%7CModel%3ACamaro&hash=item3a81a3084b&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
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From: Energy Vortex's
[QUOTE=ZL1LT1;17487118]Used one from these guys on a couple LT1 cars, never had any issues
to this day.
QUOTE]
Gotta love ebay! I would give it a shot just to not have plastic tanks as they are what normally fails with age....as far as fitment, they are both almost certainly made in China so a certain amount of "adjustment" is probably required.
to this day.
QUOTE]
Gotta love ebay! I would give it a shot just to not have plastic tanks as they are what normally fails with age....as far as fitment, they are both almost certainly made in China so a certain amount of "adjustment" is probably required.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Energy Vortex's
I cant stand the plastic tanks. Those are what always fail. I am gonna say
youre definitely right on them both being made in China. Still debating if I
wanna take the plunge on this. Its still super cheap to buy a stock one if
the aluminum one is ****. Hmmmm decisions decisions
Last edited by AZ2ENVY; Jul 15, 2013 at 10:22 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Energy Vortex's
I have had and seen issues with the plastic tanks cracking down the middle.
Theyre both made in china more than likely
I dunno, either way ill postup what direction I go.
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From: Energy Vortex's
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Everett
While I do think the quality of the aluminum radiators China has been pooping out by the thousands has increased, you need to choose carefully. Many advertising not just two rows, but three and even four have very small rows with a good deal of airspace between the rows. This makes for a radiator that looks nice and thick but doesn't perform any better than stock.
If I remember correctly, the stock '96 and earlier have a single row 1 3/8" thick. So if the above radiator has two rows each 5/8" thick it'll actually be less efficient than stock. If 7/8" it could be a noticeably better than stock. Without knowing exactly how big the rows are, one can only guess.
I installed one of these Chinese specials (under a different brand name) in my Trailblazer and was actually rather impressed with the quality, given the price. However, I shopped around until I found a model that was two rows with 1" rows--total core thickness ends up around 2 1/8". Given stock was a single row about 7/8", this was a dramatic upgrade in that case.
This radiator looks to be inferior to that, and the stock LT1 is a much better starting point so I'm not convinced you'd get much, if any improvement in this case. It's too bad as it's always nice to have lower cost options that work. They're more expensive, but with Griffen or Be-Cool, you'll know what you're getting.