jleidel

I was curious on experiences with aftermarket radiators? I've seen several models that look to be OEM fit [Carl's, BEHR, etc]. Has anyone tried producing a kit aimed at mating less expensive Detroit radiators to our cars?

I did some quick measurements and it seems the Ford/Chrysler 31" x 19" might make a suitable candidate [considering you find one with enough cooling capacity]. The mounting brackets wouldn't be terribly difficult to fab. The fan shroud could probably be made to mate up somehow. I found a suitable unit that runs $169.99 brand new. Call it $100 for fabbing the brackets?? $300 + hoses is quite a bit cheaper than the OEM/aftermarkets.

[this, of course, for 5-speed cars w/o 'other' coolers]

Thoughts?

heinrich

If you post your research here JL, it will help us all, and you will be the radiator king. Post pics/model/spex here please.

James Bailey

Over the years I saw several american radiators that had been put under the hood (that part is easy) getting the correct sending units , fan schrouds , fans and coolers to fit is the challenge especially if you want it to LOOK like it was done by Porsche. Most of the "updates" just ziptied an aftermarket electric fan to the core and wired it to run all the time ; it probably worked until they junked the car.

jleidel

Thanks for the note James. If I decide to go down the route of finding a suitable [low cost] replacement, I would definitely put some thought into all the mounting/fitting heuristics. The end goal being to produce something equally as good [functionally and aesthetically] as the original unit. [which is probably tougher than it sounds].

danglerb

With a track car and no AC, with electric fans that must open up some possibilities.

Otherwise switching from the OEM could be buying trouble with every penny saved.

OTOH for a track car messing with the radiator size and shape opens up options with intake air flow etc.

shmark

FWIW I spent a little bit of time looking at Ford radiators before deciding to buy the 928 Motorsports radiator and electric fan conversion, and came to the same conclusion JB did. After getting it mounted and everything adapted, it was just easier to buy one that's already done. And believe me when I received the new radiator, it's worth every penny, just gorgeous and works exactly as advertised.

jleidel

Thanks for the note shmark. The 928 Motorsports variant was the model I was actually considering. Any thoughts on how well it flows?

shmark

Since I deleted the factory belt-driven fan, it seems to work a little differently from the stock setup. Without the fans running it runs slightly higher on the gauge around town. Makes sense because while the belt fan was always running, the electric fan only comes on at 195 degrees. But running at highway speed it stays just below half-way, rock solid. The main thing I've noticed is while it will run above half around town (if the fan is off), it NEVER goes over the white line. As soon as that fan kicks in, it stops and starts coming down again. With the factory setup it would crawl above the upper line on a hot day in traffic.

I have verified temps with an IR gun and it pretty much stays right at 195 at the temp sensor, 155 on the return, which is exactly at factory specifications. The fan cycles on and off just as it should, and I do still have the factory auxiliary fan. It seems that Carl's setup actually maintains temperature more accurately than the factory setup. I haven't really run it on a long trip yet (headed to LeMons this weekend) but so far I'm very happy with it.

danglerb

I set my electric fan controller to run at 10% min if engine is running, just seemed like a good idea to have some flow all the time.

Vlocity

I have the one from 928 International and it went in perfectly and has kept my boosted track car cool all summer long. I run one 2750 CFM Permacool puller fan in the stock shroud as a replacement for the belt driven fan and unless I am in traffic it never cycles.

Ken

Stephencs601

Put a 928 Intl aluminum radiator in my 1984. Never had a problem since.

This is my opinion from my experiences only and should not be construed otherwise.

James Bailey

I too have a 928 International aluminum radiator

Lizard928

The other thing that you need to be aware of is that most of the domestic rads use different sizes of hoses. Alot use 1.5" hoses, which will still flow enough, but will be difficult to adapt without modifying the coolant bridge. But it would free up alot of room.

But then again, it is easy to repair the stock Behr units so that is the route I will take for stock cars. Or I will weld up new end tanks onto them.