Author Topic: Radiator Selection  (Read 2062 times)

Sac77TA

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Radiator Selection
« on: March 22, 2021, 05:56:59 PM »
If you've done an LS/LQ swap in your 2nd gen curious to know what radiator you ran and what alterations were required.

I'll be going N/A. A few folks have recommended the "becool" radiators/fans. They are upwards of a grand if not more. Looking for something more economical.

ryeguy2006a

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Re: Radiator Selection
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2021, 01:23:15 PM »
You don't "need" an LS swap radiator. I ran my stock 1976 radiator when I did my LS swap. It is nice however to get a dual pass radiator that has the outlet and inlet on the same side. Especially if you are running an 98-02 Fbody LS1 water pump.

1976 Trans Am LS1 and much more...SOLD
1968 Camaro LSA, T56 Magnum, and much more...SOLD

Current Project: 1955 Nomad LC9, 4L80e, C5 brakes and etc...

eroc022

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Re: Radiator Selection
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2021, 02:09:45 AM »
the stocker works, the biggest issue is the hose size from the LS to the factory 70s rad on the upper hose. I would recommend Cold Case or Champion, they make both stock units and LS swap units. I used Griffin before and had every single one blow the core out without explanation. you can also run the stock 4th gen F body rad for easy hookup.

FormTA

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Re: Radiator Selection
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2021, 02:38:49 AM »
I used the stock radiator from the 98 TA I pulled my engine from. It fit great with little modifications to the car.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

sensei451

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Re: Radiator Selection
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2021, 07:35:39 AM »
I used the OEM 1981 301 turbo radiator for my LS1 swap, no issues in florida heat

Monuted electric fans on it, controlled by computer. The fans were from an 02 fbody i believe.

Re: Radiator Selection
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2021, 07:35:39 AM »

TATurbo

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Re: Radiator Selection
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2021, 09:07:16 PM »
I used a Cold Case LS Swap 'dual pass' radiator 'kit' (fans and shroud).  It was a little costly at around $400.  But I was willing to pay a little more to know it fit 'OK' without any modification.   I was able to reuse the original stock retainers on the bottom and made the top mount from a sheet of aluminum from the hardware store.

IMG_3471 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr
IMG_3472 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr
IMG_3469 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr


Any down side? I remember being annoyed there was no provision for the LS1's 'steam vent' or whatever that small set of lines from the heads are.  Not a big deal to solve, but I expected the provision to be there. And, they did not include Pigtails for the fan wires.  The fans come with wires with a certain female terminal, but they didn't include matching male pig tail to connect up to it, which I thought was stupid. 

I also saw someone who picked up essentially the same parts, individually for almost $100 less than I paid.  So, shop around if your need to squeeze a few more bucks off.

« Last Edit: April 16, 2021, 09:10:12 PM by TATurbo »
Tom
King of Prussia, PA

1981 Turbo Trans-Am
Build thread - http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83354.0

Re: Radiator Selection
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2021, 09:07:16 PM »
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