So I’m dropping a Chevy small block into my 80 and was curious what radiator I should go with. Any suggestions are welcome.
Radiator for a 350 swapped 80? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sean Foster
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thatcabledude
GOLD Star
Stock will be fine. Good time to replace with new if it’s old, etc.
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
Not a cheap opinion but a Ron Davis radiator all aluminum tig welded no plastic tanks.
Steel nutz makes a great rad. Cheaper than rd, every bit of the same quality. Dimes stacked perfectly throughout.
The biggest one you can fit that your budget can accommodate.
Yup. Mine should be arriving today in the mail.
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
If your going up mountain passes and or towing you will need more cooling than a v8 swap that just goes down the highway and trail. So factor in your vehicle use.
Not sure if Ron Davis does a swapped version, but a 5 minute phone call to Mike to get your rad ordered is well worth it. He knows were to put the inlet and outlets too. I paid $1350 shipped in 2016.
Yes, very excited! Probably more excited then my x-mas gift.
I’ll likely start a proper build thread as soon as this arrives.
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
Yes the one pictured ia a swapped version with no electric fans or trans cooler the swap im doing is getting a manual transmission.
And…hot off the press.
Question, how does the rd bolt in?
Great topic which has me wondering what to do. I've been holding off to do an LS swap but I also have a nice running 350 (or used too when my bro built it years ago) and 700R4 that would make sense using. Or I could put that into my 68 C3500. Anyway, question is, will a custom radiator built for a SBC also work for an LS swap? Technically they are both small blocks I guess but might have different hook ups.
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tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
In a sense yes I order them to match the ls inlet and outlet size so no mix matched hoses and also for a steam vent for the ls
- Thread starter
- #16
So I never got the notifications for this thread but wanted to ask you about your suggestion, I can find 3 core full aluminum stock radiators for within my budget and I will be going over mountain passes but very little towing. I also do some decently serious wheeling so would you say look into a custom built radiator and bite the bullet or would the full aluminum factory one work?
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
I've been using Ron Davis Radiators for years without issue. Great product, fully welded all aluminum. As Tommy mentioned, set up for the LS with hose size and placement how you want it along with a steam port. I have had them with and without fans, with and without trans cooler. All top quality product. Electric fans stop running at about 34-40 MPH, the radiator is getting enough air to do its job at that point.
I would say a 3 core aluminum would probably work for your plans. Towing up a pass could strain it but depends on the load and the mountain pass. Just keep an eye on the temps in those situations. My opinion anyway.
- Thread starter
- #19
Awesome, yeah the passes in Colorado can be hell but I don’t tow anything bigger than a super small motorcycle trailer and that’s kinda rare.
I have my old 3 core aluminum radiator I could sell you from my 5.3 before I upgraded to the 6.0. I'm in Colorado. PM me if interested
