Need Advice On A New Radiator

[xplo89gt]

My stock radiator is finally done. I have a 180* thermostat and it creeps up to 195 easily and can get up to 210 with heavy traffic / hot day out. I took a look at it and it looks corroded. I have been away from the scene for a long time. Did most of my mods between 99-03 and have not driven the mustang much since then. However, my primary vehicle went last year and I have been relying on it since (until I get a replacement, but I'm being a bit picky). Long story short, I have three questions.

1) What's the best radiator to get for it? Back then the top pick was usually a Fluidyne 2 or 3-core aluminum radiator.
2) My current setup is stock block, TFS street heads, intake, stage 1 cam. If I end up getting a bigger NA motor or end up getting a blower, would this radiator also cool it properly?
3) What's a good site to order one?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Exile]

I have actually done quite a bit of research here lately on the best radiators for fox body mustangs. But it really boils down to how much money you were looking to spend on a radiator? $100-$400?

If your on a budget (like me) this is the radiator that I would suggest.

Griffin - $185
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRI-1-26242-X/

Or Summit/Jegs universal aluminum radiators for around $160-$170.

 

[Sharad]

My stock radiator is finally done. I have a 180* thermostat and it creeps up to 195 easily and can get up to 210 with heavy traffic / hot day out. I took a look at it and it looks corroded. I have been away from the scene for a long time. Did most of my mods between 99-03 and have not driven the mustang much since then. However, my primary vehicle went last year and I have been relying on it since (until I get a replacement, but I'm being a bit picky). Long story short, I have three questions.

1) What's the best radiator to get for it? Back then the top pick was usually a Fluidyne 2 or 3-core aluminum radiator.
2) My current setup is stock block, TFS street heads, intake, stage 1 cam. If I end up getting a bigger NA motor or end up getting a blower, would this radiator also cool it properly?
3) What's a good site to order one?

Thanks,
Paul

Fluidyne has a new style Fox radiator and it is excellent. I have one on my '89. It's not the cheapest, but it's the best!

 

[mikestang63]

Griffin and Modine always made a good radiator. I'd stay away from crap Chinese made or Ebay 'specials'. Also, just because it has more cores doesn't mean it cools better. From what I remember, the size of the core is more important. I also remember reading that copper rads transfer heat better than aluminum ones, are easier to repair, and actually last longer. The negatives are they weigh more and the older ones used solder to hold them together and didn't transfer the heat as well and cause the corrosion around the tubes. The alum rads are all the same metal and don't have the "blooming" issues and also have larger tubes which help dissipate heat better. The reason I chose theGriffin is most alum rads use a 1" tube and mine used 1.25"

IMO both cool equally. If you get a quality copper rad it would cool just as well as an alum one and last longer. The alum one will be about 30% lighter and look nicer under the hood.

 

[RacEoHolic330]

I have always been impressed with the Griffin radiators I've seen.

 

[2000xp8]

Believe it or not the mishimoto radiators are a pretty good bang for your buck. Of course i'd prefer a Ron Davis or other high end rad, but if funds aren't unlimited, that's a bit tough sometimes.

 

[fiveohwblow]

Fluidyne has a new style Fox radiator and it is excellent. I have one on my '89. It's not the cheapest, but it's the best!

Another vote for fluidyne here. Have the 2 core aluminum model. Over spinning the chit outta my vortech (13 lbs), non intercoooled and I've sat idling in traffic for 30 minutes in a 100 degree day... Never got above 190