What size aluminum radiator???

[70 gsconvt]

Hi, I've been looking at my new Regal and was considering getting an aluminum radiator and trans cooler for it.

I will most likely get the 11"x11"x1.5" stacked plate trans cooler for th400 with trans brake. My question is what size aluminum radiator should I get. I see the custom sized ones that are $400 and up. But it looks like a universal 26"x19"x3" or a 30"x19"x3" would work just fine. Engine is a 500 hp 455 and car will hopefully be in the mid 10's.

What size are some of you running to keep things cool? Car will be a track only car. Should I get an electric fan with it also? Any advice/comments welcome. Thanks.

[71stage1conv]

What is the main reason to go aluminum, to save weight?

[Dave Burns]

I had a 26"x19"x3" in my old car and it cooled it just fine at the track. Universal and set me back about $150. No trans cooler in that one though, plan on a seperate one there.

[70 gsconvt]

Aluminum because it cools much more efficiently. I would also probably put on a set of dual, puller fans and a separate 11x11x1.5" stacked plate trans cooler.

[71stage1conv]

So is a factory radiator copper, or a copper alloy , bronze?

[Smartin]

copper tubes, brass tanks...

[71stage1conv]

Then I would expect the copper tubes would dissipate the heat faster than the aluminum, based on the fact copper is 50% more conductive.

Has there been tests on this, or are we assuming aluminum is better? Copper is 3 times heavier, I always assumed you were trying to drop weight.

For the street, at least the copper radiator can be repaired, should a pebble hit it.

[LARRY70GS]

Then I would expect the copper tubes would dissipate the heat faster than the aluminum, based on the fact copper is 50% more conductive.

Has there been tests on this, or are we assuming aluminum is better? Copper is 3 times heavier, I always assumed you were trying to drop weight.

For the street, at least the copper radiator can be repaired, should a pebble hit it.

Dan,
Copper conducts heat better than aluminum. But, aluminum radiators will cool better. The reason they cool better has to do with the tube size. Copper is soft. The oval tubes are limited to 5/8" with copper. Any bigger, and they would balloon. Aluminun, being stiffer, allows tube size up to 1 1/2". More tube to fin contact means more heat conducted away. My Griffin Radiator has 2 rows of 1 1/4" tubes. It cools the same as a 7 row copper brass radiator.

Phil,
Alot of racers use a single row, late model Park Avenue aluminum radiator. Might be able to score one cheap at the local boneyard.

[70 gsconvt]

I got my aluminum radiator out of a '91 IROC Z-28 and a dual fan setup out of a 2001 Intrepid. So I should be all set. Unit slid right into place.

[71stage1conv]

Copper is stronger than aluminum, but both metals are rather soft as metals go. I believe they used aluminum for two reasons, light weight and less expensive to manufacture. With copper being slightly double more per pound than aluminum, and 3 times heavier, that makes copper 6 times more expensive for raw material.

I'm quite sure a copper one cools better than an aluminum when manufactured to the same dimensions. Tube diameter has nothing to do with it busting, but wall thickness would. I can see why aluminum would be the only way to go for the strip, but I'd rather have copper for the street because it is easily repairable.

[Harold Rolls]

A long time ago, I was at a meeting between the union, and the company at the GM plant in Oshawa. The copper brass rad was being phased out, and the aluminum rad was being introduced. I did not know at that time that I would end up being a lift truck driver in the plant that made the rads.

What sticks in my mind was the company's statement regarding the aluminum rads. They are lighter, stronger, and have double the life expectancy of a copper brass unit. The weakest point of a GM aluminum rad is the plastic end tanks. New tanks should be able to be installed, at least twice, with new gaskets, and can be obtained at a GM parts counter. I have a single row in my rad that measures 34mm (1 and 5/16 inches) It does a very good job.
Check the wrecking yards. If you see a good rad in a truck, remember you can change the end pieces, and trans cooler sizes.