Ok, need some radiator advice

[Joe 5.0]

I finally am really fed up with not having an up to par cooling system. I now have a coolant leak from the radiator, and its running hot regardless of outside temp.

I road race semi-frequently, so I need a setup that is more than just daily driver material. I have been doing some calling around and looking, and it seems like the Fluidyne's go for ~$350 (2 core), $450 Steeda (2core), or $200 stock. I already have a new stock fan/shroud on order, and am going to put a pusher fan in front of the radiator to help in traffic.

My question is this: Is spending an extra $100-200 on a high performance aftermarket radiator going to make a difference over a generic aftermarket OE style for $100? I never had cooling problems EXCEPT at the road course, but now with the leak and lazy fan it gets hot all the time.

Please help, I have an event in a couple weeks and also need to do this right because I'm halfway saved towards an S-trim next spring.

 

[Blakthorn]

i think you can find a nice decent one on ebay with warranty and drop the pusher fan, i heard they dont help that much really.. once your car is in motion air is getting pushed their anyway..

 

[Joe 5.0]

I know, the pusher fan is more for city driving. I'm only gonna put it on if it still doesnt run cool with a new stock fan & new radiator.

 

[baskin]

Does the car heat up when it's idling, on the freeway, under heavy load, or all of the above?

 

[SQUEEZE&STROKE]

I still have the stock radiator in my h/c/i 331 with nitrous. 180 t stat...temp comes up to 180 and stays there with the high speed fan on. Havent taken it on the freeway but even beating on it it does not rise more than 185. I have however removed the ac condenser so it is getting alot more air.

 

[wytstang]

Summit and Afco both sell universal Ford peices 31x19 fits. This thread is on a 28x19 but 31x19 fits as well.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?threadid=211684
her are some pics of the 28x19 installed (diff car)

 

[urban96]

i have the summit one and i like it.

you have to trim the stock fan shroud a little to get it to fit perfect but its really easy.

some people re-use the stock top mounting brackets but i had some steel ones bent up, ill try to get pics

 

[LR5.0]

i read that by adding the fluidyne radiator and a high flow waterpump may help. i was wondering what springs and struts you have on your stang because it has a nice even look.

 

[greenlantern]

AFCO

Its an old pic but there it is.

 

[Joe 5.0]

i'm about to order the direct fit fluidyne for $380, so hopefully it cools better than stock. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Green 94 5.0]

that is way too much.....absolute radiator sells the direct fit fluidyne for less than that with free shipping for both the manual and automatic versions. to the first poster, you cannot go wrong with the fluidyne. it fits perfect with no modification even with a vortech s-trim. between the radiator, 180* t-stat and the tweecer modified fan settings, the difference in cooling ability was night and day.

link for the manual fluidyne for the 94-95:

http://www.absoluteradiator.com/ProductPage.asp?idProd=112 $337 shipped

link for the automatic fluidyne for the 94-95:

http://www.absoluteradiator.com/ProductPage.asp?idProd=113 $360 shipped

 

[ponyboy19]

One word.. AFCO

part # 80102FN
31x19x3
179.99 dollars

http://www.stockcarproducts.com/afco1.htm

 

[Joe 5.0]

Thanks for the links guys, I put my Summit order on hold until I see if its the best deal or not. Is the AFCO a direct fit, and if not how much fabbing does it take to fit right? I only have hand tools and no machining stuff, so I cant be custom making brackets & stuff.

 

[a50sn95]

Summit will price match....
Also, County radiator 335.00:
http://www.countyradiator.com/fluidyne/ford.html

 

[urban96]

One word.. AFCO

part # 80102FN
31x19x3
179.99 dollars

http://www.stockcarproducts.com/afco1.htm

same price i paid for my summit one