Radiators

[Fentin_Fury]

Does anyone out there have experience with swapping radiators into a 240Z? I am looking for some more cooling - I now have a 3 core 240 rad. I want to go bigger than a 280 rad and was wondering if anyone has heard of other applicatons including hoses that may fit in a 240.

thanks

[Daniel]

More radiator won't make your engine run cooler.Thats the thermostats job.What is the problem you wish to resolve?Keep in mind cooler isn't always better.Too cool can be bad for performance.Perhaps a plastic fan shroud is you answer.

[Fentin_Fury]

I currently do not have a cooling problem - engine runs at an even temperature. However, I am concerned that my new motor will be generating considerably more heat - especialy when pushed. So I am trying to, hopefully, resolve a potential problem before I install the new engine.

Quentin

[bryantatem]

Instead of going that way, get a oil cooler. That will help you more.

[Fentin_Fury]

that is an idea I have considered. However I am also weight conscious (spelling error) so a lighter rad would also be desirable.

[dozer171]

for the couple of pounds an oil cooler is going to add, more than worth it for the insurance it's gunna give you. if you're looking for some weight to shed, attack the interior. get rid of the spare tire, that's make up more thanthe difference. carry a can of fix-a-flat, i wouldn't trust that old spare tire myself anyway...

think about it, race cars worry about weight in ounces, yet they have coolers for just about everything concievable..

[JEFF]

Water weights more than oil.

- Jeff

[SHOTIME]

I'm getting a Griffin aluminum radiator with electric fans along with a Ford Racing oil cooler that has a fan mounted on it. It all depends what you're doing to it. I'm going to race mine a little which is the reason for the oil cooler, but for daily driving just an aluminum should cool things down enough. I've used Red Line watter wetter before in my daily drivers and didn't notice much difference, but I was also using the stock gauge instead of a more precise one.

[2ManyZs]

My personal pick is the four row radiators that MSA offers...Not a lot more expensive than the 3 row and still probably cheaper than most of the aftermarket aluminum ones on the market.

Only other one I'd try is an aluminum radiator for a Chevy (don't bother with the 280 radiator as the size is not that much different to make it worth while)... they have the inlet and outlets on the right sides, but you may have to do some tubing-hose mods to get them to line up...

I used the 4 row from MSA in my IT car, with only a small electric fan for when I was sitting in the pits idling. Never even had a fan shoud on it and it usually ran 190-210 even when the outside air temp was in the 90-100 degree range, of course that was a bit higher speeds than street driving....:devious:

[Fentin_Fury]

This is excellent info - thank you. I will contact MSA for a price. I did have one question which model of Griffin rad did SHOTIME use? They have many options and obviously have a good name. 2ManyZs which Chevy rad application would you be referencing - from what vehicle?

thanks Again

Q:classic:

[hmsports]

I always use an aluminum Griffin radiator -- as 2Many states, the Chevy version so the water ports are in the correct location. Check with Afco-Behrents -- they have the best prices - $179.

I have never had cooling problems with my car -- even at 6800 RPM for 40 minutes at a time. I do run a small oil cooler which helps. My water temp is always less than 200 degrees.

[Fentin_Fury]

More for FYI than anything else JTR suggest the following:

"This is what we now feel is the best readily available radiator for the V-8 Z. It is the base radiator for 1985–1992 Chevrolet vans with the 4.3 V6. It is light, inexpensive, and does an excellent job of cooling. It has the correct overall dimensions to fit in a Z car, and it has an automatic transmission cooler in the passenger's side tank. List price is about $250. Stealth Conversions sells it for about $150 (Part # DAT-120).

The radiator is plastic/aluminum, and the core is 1-1/8" thick, with 17 fins per inch. The distance between tube centers is 7/16", compared to conventional copper/brass radiators, which have the tubes spaced 9/16" between centers. The complete radiator weighs less than ten pounds. The side tanks do not hold a lot of coolant, and this also saves weight.

The inlet is 1-5/16" and the outlet is 1-9/16". If you are using a 1-1/2" diameter upper radiator hose, use a Goodyear hose reducer bushing, part #5898 (or equivalent), available at most auto parts stores.

When used with an engine-driven fan and fan shroud, or a proper electric cooling fan, this radiator does an excellent job cooling the V-8 Z.

........

All-aluminum racing style radiators are available that will fit in the V-8 Z. The problem with the all-aluminum radiators is that they are not as durable as the Chevrolet plastic/aluminum radiators. In time, the all-aluminum racing style radiators tend to crack and leak where the aluminum side tanks are welded to the aluminum core."

Another good site I found on this search was 240Z.jeromio.com/camaroradiator.html - pictures included. Note: the hose part number he quotes are Dayco part no.s.

Again - thanks to everyone.

The honing and porting begins........

Q