Aluminum Radiator

[Bolt]

Do Aluminum radiators make a difference?
If so How much difference?
Are they worth the high cost?
What are all the benefits?
Are they worth putting in these Vipers?

 

[99 R/T 10]

I think they are a real benefit. They disapate the heat and cool quicker. They can be had from $480 to $800 depending on who you buy it from and the brand. I believe Alan's triple pass is one of the most efficient radiators.

 

[plumcrazy]

yeah they make a difference. at least mine did before i blew it up..lol

it seemed to keep the temps lower consistently

 

[Bolt]

Is there a special antifreeze which needs to be run with a aluminum radiator?

 

[plumcrazy]

nope...same green stuff you use now

 

[dave6666]

Is there a special antifreeze which needs to be run with a aluminum radiator?

All your modern antifreezes are compatible with aluminum. If you choose to install one, you should do a complete system flush to get all of the old out. Including pulling the block drains.

Regarding what the aluminum radiator can do, it can handle a greater heat load. I've got everything in my garage - brand new stuff - including a Ron Davis radiator, to replace my entire cooling system in my '01 GTS. Water pump, Roe hoses, and on. But for now, I'm still on the stock stuff. When I romp on it here in the Texas heat, my temp will rise above normal for a bit, until I slow down and decrease the heat load to the radiator. The aluminum radiator will be able to handle this increased heat load better, so I will not see the temp go up when romping on it for a bit.

Remember, the aluminum radiator will only lower your temp gauge reading if the current radiator cannot handle the heat load. Which like I said, is my case when getting on it during the hot day.

Many people recommend a lower thermostat. I am putting a new OEM stat in. Why? The car is going to run at 195 deg anyway in the Texas heat, and the PCM expects that temp. You will hear many other opinions on that matter.

Radiator brands include:

Ron Davis Racing
Fluidyne
Alan's Triple Pass

I went with the RDR because of quality concerns with the Fluidyne, as well as the RDR is a true drop in unit.

 

[jpas]

All your modern antifreezes are compatible with aluminum. If you choose to install one, you should do a complete system flush to get all of the old out. Including pulling the block drains.

Regarding what the aluminum radiator can do, it can handle a greater heat load. I've got everything in my garage - brand new stuff - including a Ron Davis radiator, to replace my entire cooling system in my '01 GTS. Water pump, Roe hoses, and on. But for now, I'm still on the stock stuff. When I romp on it here in the Texas heat, my temp will rise above normal for a bit, until I slow down and decrease the heat load to the radiator. The aluminum radiator will be able to handle this increased heat load better, so I will not see the temp go up when romping on it for a bit.

Remember, the aluminum radiator will only lower your temp gauge reading if the current radiator cannot handle the heat load. Which like I said, is my case when getting on it during the hot day.

Many people recommend a lower thermostat. I am putting a new OEM stat in. Why? The car is going to run at 195 deg anyway in the Texas heat, and the PCM expects that temp. You will hear many other opinions on that matter.

Radiator brands include:

Ron Davis Racing
Fluidyne
Alan's Triple Pass

I went with the RDR because of quality concerns with the Fluidyne, as well as the RDR is a true drop in unit.

If you want a Chinese made Rad go with the Fluidyne

 

[PhoenixGTS]

I have the aluminum triple-pass unit that West Coast Vipers used to sell (maybe still due) that was made by PWR in Australia. After luckily identifying that the first unit sent to me had a leak in a lower corner due to a pin-hole in a weld (totally PWR's fault not WCV - and they replaced the unit quickly for very good customer service), I installed the second unit and other than having to move the air-box rearward a little over an inch due to the thickness of the new radiator, and having to rework the fan shroud a bit, the unit was an absolute bolt-in. Could be an option if they are still available. The car now hold a full 12 quarts of coolant which when you think about it is close to a colossal 100 pounds of coolant!

 

[grcforce327]

The car now hold a full 12 quarts of coolant which when you think about it is close to a colossal 100 pounds of coolant!

You want to share some of those meds ????

 

[grcforce327]

Other than having to move the air-box rearward a little over an inch due to the thickness of the new radiator, and having to rework the fan shroud a bit, the unit was an absolute bolt-in!

Does this statement seem contradicting?

 

[dave6666]

Does this statement seem contradicting?

Yes, my eyeful little friend, modifying a car to fit a bolt in part does seem, well, like a bogus claim on the part of the part!

 

[PhoenixGTS]

You want to share some of those meds ????

Holy cripes I'm having a weak day! I was thinking gallons not quarts. NO WONDER the number was so huge. 24 pounds sound SO much more reasonable!!! Thanks for the wake up.