CU162 Radiator

[kustomkyle]

CU162 or 162 seems to be the industry # for replacement G-body radiators.

Does anyone have any experience with these? I was going to get one a while back, but wasn't a fan of the drain location, extra port blocked off with a rubber cap and clamp (?!), and that it's a plastic tank/aluminum instead of brass.

Now I'm in a position where it's a necessity (temporarily until the original can be rebuilt) rather than an eventual option. Just want to make sure there's no modifications needed and that the factory hoses will work.

 

[Drkuhar]

I have that. It set in the pads top and bottom fine. The drain is off. But my core support was notched anyway from using the wrong radiator years ago. I replaced the rubber cap with a heavier made one from the parts store. The one included with the radiator is thin and leaked after a couple of months. It cools really well. Have never gotten warm and is consistant

 

[mikester]

I used this radiator in my wagon. Copper and brass. Seems to be pretty well made.

CHEVROLET MALIBU Summit Racing SUM-382016 Summit Racing™ Classic OEM Radiators | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Summit Racing™ Classic OEM Radiators with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Radiators at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[carnutjw]

I've had this one from O'reilly for about 4 years

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/murray-heat-transfer/engine-cooling/radiator/radiator/02ac48565f9e/murray-heat-transfer-radiator/mht1/433162/v/a/4478/automotive-car-1979-oldsmobile-cutlass-supreme?pos=0

Original 90,000 mile 305 sbc, with cam, intake, and headers. Did Hot Rod Power Tour last year(2021), with A/C on the whole time, with no problems.

 

[ck80]

We threw together an 83 regal that was totalled out beyond the firewall real quick and used a spectra radiator based on availability.

You may find the rubber inserts a little off on the radiator support, we did.

That said, since then we used the summit branded all-aluminum ones in different cars with good results, I really didn't want the plastic tanks again though.

 

[64nailhead]

I've had this one from O'reilly for about 4 years

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/murray-heat-transfer/engine-cooling/radiator/radiator/02ac48565f9e/murray-heat-transfer-radiator/mht1/433162/v/a/4478/automotive-car-1979-oldsmobile-cutlass-supreme?pos=0

Original 90,000 mile 305 sbc, with cam, intake, and headers. Did Hot Rod Power Tour last year(2021), with A/C on the whole time, with no problems.

It works great. On the street or at the strip.

I was using a stock radiator for an ‘84 MC (worked fine in the street), but at the track I battled to keep it below 240. When I put in the CU-162 it never hits 220 at the end of a 1/4 mile run at 25psi of boost.

 

[Injectedcutty]

I've been running a Champion brand all aluminum CC-162DP(dual pass) in my LS swapped Cutlass and it has yet to get over 205 even in summer heat! The regular CC162 with conventional inlet/outlet locations has been a popular replacement as it looks better and performs well!

 

[383_StealthRam]

Have had the Holley Frostbite FB163 3 row aluminum in mine since 2016. It's been great, no issues.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Yes, I used that rad under the Modine name in my 88 CSC. It fit and will easily cool your 307.

 

[kustomkyle]

Thanks for all the replies, lots of good information.

The radiator I ordered in this time is made a little different than I've seen previously in terms of the aftermarket CU162. This one has two plastic threaded ports with threaded plugs instead of rubber caps.