i would go with a 3 row and for that extra little bit maybe an oil cooler. i have heard the oil coolers get you a little cooler but i havent had one yet. just an option.
Keeping the Olds cool...
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84Hurst/Olds said:
An easy way to tell is to take the car for a drive, get everything up to operating temp, park the car and turn the engine off. Then using your hand feel the radiator from the engine side. Might be kind of hard to get your hand in through the fan shroud though.
That was how I found out my radiator was bad. I had been running errands and just happed to stop by my engine builders shop. Was just complaining in general about how I could never keep the temps down so he came out to take a look. The first thing he did was start feeling my radiator and sure enough, there was the problem.
The top half was so hot you could barely keep your hand on it which is how it should be. But the bottom of the radiator was ice cold since now coolant was flowing through it. I went out and just bought an Autozone replacement for my car and everything was peachy after that. 🙂
84Hurst/Olds: some things to consider:
- a 2 core aluminum rad will cool better than a 3 core copper (stock) rad.
- my rad is a 2 core BeCool aluminum rad, but those 2 cores are 1" thick, making it equivalent to a regular 4 core alum. rad (cores are 1/2" thick I believe).
So, for your application, the 2 core alum. rad will do the trick. But if it's one thing that I absolutely hate is just wondering, worrying if my cooling system is gonna keep me cool enough when stuck in traffic on a hot summer day. I don't want to worry about overheating, watching the damn needle every second, when instead I should be watching the tight mini skirts walking around. It's just not right.
IMO I'd much rather spend a few extra $$$ for the peace of mind. BTW my Becool is the largest aluminum rad that could fit in the damn engine bay. It was 6 and change if I recall correctly.
- a 2 core aluminum rad will cool better than a 3 core copper (stock) rad.
- my rad is a 2 core BeCool aluminum rad, but those 2 cores are 1" thick, making it equivalent to a regular 4 core alum. rad (cores are 1/2" thick I believe).
So, for your application, the 2 core alum. rad will do the trick. But if it's one thing that I absolutely hate is just wondering, worrying if my cooling system is gonna keep me cool enough when stuck in traffic on a hot summer day. I don't want to worry about overheating, watching the damn needle every second, when instead I should be watching the tight mini skirts walking around. It's just not right.
IMO I'd much rather spend a few extra $$$ for the peace of mind. BTW my Becool is the largest aluminum rad that could fit in the damn engine bay. It was 6 and change if I recall correctly.
The only problem with Be Cool is your paying for the name. It's not like they've discovered some new way to cool an engine over these other places that make aluminum radiators. My Summit brand radiator does just fine and wasn't over $200.
It's true. In my build, cooling capacity, size, and fit were considered over cost, and I checked into all brands before settling on the BeCool. Correction, it was 4 and change. Jegs in house brands alum. rads are a lot cheaper and do a great job. Less than 2 bills too.
Well If I had a lot of free money I would spend it on a be cool radiator. But I will probably end up buying one off eBay. I havent felt to see if my radiator was stopped up yet, but I think my fan clutch might need replacing. It just seems way too loose for my liking even when its warm.
I'm using a Champion eBay 2 row radiator in my Malibu, with a 180°thermostat and water instead of antifreeze since I don't drive it often or in the winter. Cools amazing, definately runs under 180°. Runs hotter on the highway but that's because I'm at 3k RPM continuosly with an electric fan that doesn't cover the radiator all the way. Super happy with that radiator and if I need another one ever, that's where I'll be getting it from.
You do realise, if you don't have any coolant in there at all, even if you don't drive it in the winter, your block can crack? I know. I've done it79loserbluebu said:
454muscle said:
I was going to say the same thing 454.
loserblu I hope you're putting some kind of coolant in there during the winter (especially considering the last couple we've had up here in IL), unless your vehicle is in a nicely heated garage. But even then... And I hope you're flushing it very often.
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