seedling
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2012
OK, I may be opening up Pandora's Box here. However, I have to ask, as I'm trying to research / finalize my Cooling System Upgrades here. So, I’d like to see what the general-consensus is, if you all don't mind sharing your opinion?
1) Does anybody know what the original / factory radiator dimensions are? (I only ask because even the alleged “Drop-In” Factory Replacements seem to vary in size).
2) What is meant by “Cross Flow” Radiator? I mean, is this just a fancy marketing term, or are there differences in radiator design that would affect performance here?
3) Is an “Oil Cooler” required? <<And that’s when the fight started.>>
WHY -OR- WHY NOT?
4) Assuming an oil cooler is required, then how well equipped will all of the new “Aluminum Radiators” be at handling / or dissipating the heat? In other words, if brass is a far better dissipater of heat, then is it even wise to run an oil cooler through one of these new aluminum radiators? I would have to think yes, but, who knows?
I’m just trying to decide / justify the cost of say an AlRadco Unit, verses a GN1 Unit, or say the new Kirbans / GNS Performance Unit as well. And then there is always the F Body Radiator and more.
I guess my biggest fear is buying one of the new Aluminum Replacement Alternatives (and paying more for the built-in oil and trans cooler lines) that our cars came with from the factory. Only to discover that they are not as efficient, as originally intended. In that, my fear is that these new aluminum radiators just don’t have the heat shedding capacity, that the original brass units did before. Thereby, yielding this provision somewhat useless to begin with. Truth be told, I’m a little fearful of even using a built-in cooler (of any kind) on one of these new radiators. Because from what I can see, aluminum is roughly half as efficient at dissipating heat than brass is. So, what effect does this have on a “Built-In Cooler”, if any??
1) Does anybody know what the original / factory radiator dimensions are? (I only ask because even the alleged “Drop-In” Factory Replacements seem to vary in size).
2) What is meant by “Cross Flow” Radiator? I mean, is this just a fancy marketing term, or are there differences in radiator design that would affect performance here?
3) Is an “Oil Cooler” required? <<And that’s when the fight started.>>
WHY -OR- WHY NOT?
4) Assuming an oil cooler is required, then how well equipped will all of the new “Aluminum Radiators” be at handling / or dissipating the heat? In other words, if brass is a far better dissipater of heat, then is it even wise to run an oil cooler through one of these new aluminum radiators? I would have to think yes, but, who knows?
I’m just trying to decide / justify the cost of say an AlRadco Unit, verses a GN1 Unit, or say the new Kirbans / GNS Performance Unit as well. And then there is always the F Body Radiator and more.
I guess my biggest fear is buying one of the new Aluminum Replacement Alternatives (and paying more for the built-in oil and trans cooler lines) that our cars came with from the factory. Only to discover that they are not as efficient, as originally intended. In that, my fear is that these new aluminum radiators just don’t have the heat shedding capacity, that the original brass units did before. Thereby, yielding this provision somewhat useless to begin with. Truth be told, I’m a little fearful of even using a built-in cooler (of any kind) on one of these new radiators. Because from what I can see, aluminum is roughly half as efficient at dissipating heat than brass is. So, what effect does this have on a “Built-In Cooler”, if any??