What are you using for a radiator with a Vortec?

[SSCR]

I searched and saw a couple of ideas for radiators but thought I would post and see if anything new was being thrown around. This is for a FJ40 engine bay so would need to be near stock size but since I would be having a custom radiator support built the size could be fudged somewhat. My Vortec LC9 has both the inlet and outlet on the passenger side, so I would require the same from the radiator. I'm running a 4L60 trans, so a built in trans cooler is a must. Any ideas? Gumby gave me an idea about running a stock radiator but if there is an aluminum one to match my tub and engine that would be cool too

 

[DWitcher]

I use the direct bolt in Champion aluminum radiators that are sold on ebay. I've bought 4 of them for various project cars. I currently have one in my DD 40 with an LM7/4L80e. I'ts hot here in the summer and I have no problems in stop and go traffic. These radiators also have a built in trans cooler.

 

[SSCR]

Nice, those have a driver side inlet or passenger side? Thanks

 

[DWitcher]

Drivers side upper, Pass side lower.

 

[SSCR]

Cool, I actually talked to champion today and they would move to inlet for around 90 bucks to the pass side. Might go that route. Thanks

 

[SSCR]

Griffin offers this ( 1-28182-TLS) http://www.griffinrad.com/universal_fit.php Looks to have provisions just for LS1,2,3 motors which would work almost the same as my Vortec, I'm guessing. Any thoughts on Griffins, I did read a couple bad threads about them but also some good threads.

 

[DWitcher]

Im pretty sure you'll have to fab mounts for that radiator.
Here's what I did with mine. Remember you need to vent that steam port to the highest point on the radiator.

You can see here where it intersects the highest point in the upper radiator hose. Simple to do.

 

[chicago]

I used a griffen 19x22 w/ dual PS inlet and outlet.
its worked great for two years of hard wheeling. The hoses, though were essentially custom. I bent some coat hangers and went in to kragen and found the sizes and shapes I needed and cut em to fit.
Summit sells a rubber bushing kit for like 8 bucks to upsize the rad. dia to accommodate larger and easier to find hose dia.

 

[chicago]

btw,
that rod down to the frame off the rad. mount WENT AWAY. I felt it would bee too stiff when flexing, so in the last "finished" pic, you can see that I used a heim and rod set up that works really well.
Additionally, I rubber isolated the rad. from the mounting frame top and bottom, so the rad. sits secure, but will "float". The worst thing for al. radiators is flex and stress. I did my best to minimize that.

 

[SSCR]

Awesome, thanks Chicago, I read all your posts when you were looking for a radiator solution. Sounds like this went well! Any chance you kept part numbers on those hoses? They look to fit perfectly. Did you make your radiator mount/fan shroud? Dwitcher, I will be having a custom mount built anyways and that Griffon comes stock with an auto trans cooler and the steam port. Thanks Guys

 

[spotcruiser]

I used a 19 x 22 Griffin in my 40. I have a '96 5.7l, so the hose configuration is different than yours, I have no steam port, and I have a NV4500 so no tranny cooler. I sandwiched it between upper and lower channels using heavy rubber to isolate it and allow it to flex. I added a flange to each side of the radiator and support rods down to the frame. It's very secure, but has the ability to move with frame flex. With a homemade fiberglass shroud and a stock clutch fan, it cools the engine very well on the highway and on the trail.

 

[SSCR]

I just started going threw your build thread Chicago, holy cow you have some fantastic skills! At page 80 I saw where you started working on your support, very nice. You should build another to sell

Spotcruiser, thanks. I remember your build thread for your shroud. That is awesome work also. Too much crazy skill on this forum!!

 

[chicago]

I used a 19 x 22 Griffin in my 40. I have a '96 5.7l, so the hose configuration is different than yours, I have no steam port, and I have a NV4500 so no tranny cooler. I sandwiched it between upper and lower channels using heavy rubber to isolate it and allow it to flex. I added a flange to each side of the radiator and support rods down to the frame. It's very secure, but has the ability to move with frame flex. With a homemade fiberglass shroud and a stock clutch fan, it cools the engine very well on the highway and on the trail.

FANTASTIC WORK!!!
Love the mount and shroud!!

K

 

[spotcruiser]

Thanks Guys. I enjoyed watching your build, Keith, and look forward to your build, SSCR.

 

[Cirbo]

Ron Davis Radiator with steam port mounted on MAF V8 Radiator brackets.

 

[spotcruiser]

Looks good, Cirbo.

 

[DWitcher]

Cirbo, what was the cost on that radiator?

 

[Cirbo]

$426, but it was a custom order.

I ended up using a combination of off the shelf hoses from NAPA, and a flex hose from Summit.

 

[Gumby]

Mine isn't stock, just the stock configuration. It's a four core brass. If that doesn't do the trick once its on the road I'll go with an aluminum one, again in the stock configuration. Many of the early LS engines had the top rad outlet on the drivers side with a hose going across the top of the radiator. Mine was cut down from a 1999 Silverado 2500 with the 6.0L LQ4.

Jagsthatrun has an adapter that goes from the smaller GM hose to the larger Toyota outlet. The adapter can be had with a steam port and a burp valve. Mine has both and looks very similar to DWicher's.

 

[DWitcher]

Yeah, my upper radiator hose is a modified 2002 Chevy truck upper hose. Tried to keep it as it came from the donor.