Best drop in radiator?

[281pony]

ive seen a bunch of threads, summit radiators, griffen, ect.

which one is the best priced that you can DROP in? not buying new hoses, modifying brackets, ect.

looking for a nice radiator, but not $400. something decently priced. also if anyone can recommend a good electric fan at the same place besides the dc one. not looking to spend $400+ on the fan either.

maybe around 4-500 for them both

 

[ratrapp]

griffen nascar style,$180.

 

[90mustangGT]

The GoDan 3 core copper/brass is exactly like the stock radiator but it is twice as thick. All you do is take out the rubber inserts on the radiator mounts and drop it in. I am going to buy the Griffin unit, I guess Nascar type. The $180 is the same as the $340 unit but has no drain, or tranny cooler, but there are other ways to drain the radiator, pulling the hose is much faster anyways, and you should run a external cooler for an auto anyways. I like that it is all metal, less likley to leak and if it does, just weld it.

 

[87'GTstang]

Well drop-in? Expect to pay that $300 or even $400 or so you don't want to pay. The reason being is 30" X 19" is an odd size. 27" or 31" are your only options for aftermarket. My vote however would be the $180 aluminum 2-core Griffin radiator - I have been very pleased with it.

 

[4dStang]

The best stock type replacement is a Steeda 3 core aluminum. Fits right in, is beautiful but is over $300. You want good, you must pay. I plan to put the Steeda in this summer before it get hot again. The griffen and becool (from what I have heard) are generic radiators and dont match up with the hoses and mounts.

 

[87'GTstang]

The best stock type replacement is a Steeda 3 core aluminum. Fits right in, is beautiful but is over $300. You want good, you must pay. I plan to put the Steeda in this summer before it get hot again. The griffen and becool (from what I have heard) are generic radiators and dont match up with the hoses and mounts.

No you don't have to pay outrageuos money for what's deemed "good". Griffin, GDI, BeCool, AFCO - take your pick, they are all excellent and make at least 1 model well under $250 and some well under $200.

As for the griffin, the mounts fit fine, just bolt it right on, it's close to the same depth as the stock (worst case scenario you have to trim a little rubber off the isolators) and is the same height. As for the radiator hoses, the tops fit like stock. As for the lower, all you do is flip it around, cut a couple of inches off of it, then stretch it on the radiator port.

 

[4dStang]

No you don't have to pay outrageuos money for what's deemed "good". Griffin, GDI, BeCool, AFCO - take your pick, they are all excellent and make at least 1 model well under $250 and some well under $200.

As for the griffin, the mounts fit fine, just bolt it right on, it's close to the same depth as the stock (worst case scenario you have to trim a little rubber off the isolators) and is the same height. As for the radiator hoses, the tops fit like stock. As for the lower, all you do is flip it around, cut a couple of inches off of it, then stretch it on the radiator port.

What I heard. That was my comment. You still said you had to modify your Griffen. Right? Look at the subject line. Some people don't want to do all the fancy cutting and flipping around. I happen to like the Steeda because it is an exact drop in, nice and thick and looks beautiful. Maybe I want to waste my money on the expensive crap. You buy a griffen, I'll buy a Steeda. Cool? No flame......

 

[Ozz]

Be Cool radiators run higher than the Fluidynes; both of which are also great radiators.

Griffin, Be Cool, or Fluidyne is what my choices were between, and I chose Fluidyne. A friend of mine has a similar setup and swears his life on his Fluidyne I'm sure the others are great too, but first-hand experience wins all.

 

[Ozz]

Oh, you can get a Fluidyne for $350ish without a tranny cooler anyway; and the rest you can put towards an electric fan. I have one from a 97 Cobra.

 

[bluevenom867]

I love my FRPP 2 core alum. radiator, forgot what I paid thou.

 

[86bluecobra]

i have a 3 core Ford Racing perfomance Part rad. Dropped right in keeps my 5.8L cool even on the juice on them hot summer days at the track. car seldom see's above 180 degrees. have a nice black magic 5.0L electric fan mounted on it.

 

[bluevenom867]

Wait, the FRPP alum. are 3 core?Then my radiaot must be a three core.

 

[bluevenom867]

Hey, 86bluecobra, you seem to have a clone of my car.You mind PMing me some info or a link to a pic of it?Thnx.

 

[86bluecobra]

i have a pic of my car in my garage now

 

[HISSIN50]

im with Jason about the GDI or Modine HD 3 core - if (big if) you think it will support your motor set up.

fan wise - on a budget, i would personally try to hit a J/Y and get a Mark 8 fan - it will outflow most and keep your new beast cool. some use SN and other mod motor fans too.

good luck bud.

 

[1990LXDropTop]

I just ordered an FMS 3-core aluminum radiator from Summit. I had them price match is for $220, instead of the $255 they sell it for.

 

[281pony]

thanks, i think ill go for the griffen radiator and just switch the hose around.

it is the main radiator i was considering anyways. just dont want to modify a bunch of stuff to make it fit.

i was also thinking the mark electric fan too. never seen them new anywhere though and im kind of weary buying one used.

 

[HISSIN50]

i was also thinking the mark electric fan too. never seen them new anywhere though and im kind of weary buying one used.

Houston Performance used to sell them new for ~150. not sure if they still do or what the price is. a Viper fan fits (someone just did that and paid about the same, IIRC).

i personally dont mind the J/Y route - you will probably have to hack it up a bit to make it fit right anyhow (the shroud).
you can install an LED so you know if it is running or not. saves a little coin too. just my two cents. good luck bud.

 

[281pony]

thanks for the info hissin.

im planning on a griffen nascar 2 row radiator now, with the mark fan on a toggle switch. those two things should keep my car cold as ice. before with my stock radiator and stock fan it only ran 155-160.

should free up a little power too

 

[04sleeper]

So is this the oneyou are getting? http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=esearch.asp&N=110&Ntk=KeywordSearch&Ntt=griffin+

If so let me know how it works.

I am in the market for a new rad as well.