replacing the OEM radiator

**fst** · 11-29-2008

since the gtp's sitting for the time being, i was thinking about replacing as well as upgrading the radiator since it has ~160K miles on it and i read horror stories of where the tranny cooling lines running through the radiator leaks and gets contaminated with coolant and FUBARs the tranny itself. now i also read about the different size radiators that the 97-03 w-bodies can use over the stock 5/8"(that is stock core thickness right?).

my local pepboys i had the tech guy look up the radiator for the 98 chevy monte carlo v6's and he has one that has the following measurements: 30-1/2"x15"x1-3/8" for $139.99 w/lifetime replacement warranty. i measured the core thjickness itself and it was between 1-1/4" to 1-3/8". i skimmed through the How To section found rad upgrade. aside from the fan clearance and the longer bolts needed, is there anything i should know and get the proper pieces b4 i would tackle this mod?

**dezldave961** · 12-02-2008

I got a near-mint oversized radiator from a '94-'96 DOHC GP at a yard for $24 a couple years ago. This is what ZZP sells for $200 (used to be $400+ and people still bought them).

There was nothing different about mounting, bolts/fans... Headers won't be an issue if they don't already push up against fan housings, as the bigger radiator isn't a significant amount thicker in that respect.

If you're concerned about warranty, I guess the store route is for you. I'm just a fan of saving money, especially since I've got a habit of piling extra little mods like this onto other projects (did radiator during swap from tired L36 to 1k L26 block, along with various other add-ins).

- Dave

**GTX** · 12-03-2008

Originally Posted by dezldave961

I got a near-mint oversized radiator from a '94-'96 DOHC GP at a yard for $24 a couple years ago. This is what ZZP sells for $200 (used to be $400+ and people still bought them).

There was nothing different about mounting, bolts/fans... Headers won't be an issue if they don't already push up against fan housings, as the bigger radiator isn't a significant amount thicker in that respect.

If you're concerned about warranty, I guess the store route is for you. I'm just a fan of saving money, especially since I've got a habit of piling extra little mods like this onto other projects (did radiator during swap from tired L36 to 1k L26 block, along with various other add-ins).

- Dave

how many miles on your junk yard radiator?

**fst** · 12-03-2008

i was debating about using one from a junkyard but like others said, getting a new one has warranty as well as theres a higher risk of using a used radiator from a junkyard w/o knowing what it was exposed to.

**dezldave961** · 12-03-2008

As with any yard part, inspection is key. Even with parts currently on your car, if you aren't aware enough to know what's going wrong-when, then don't mod, and just bring it to shops for maintenance.

Saying that, the one I personally got, was in a car that already had the front end replaced BEFORE the accident that sent it to the yard. It was a 3.1L car but got the nice thick DOHC radiator, and was near-new do to previous repairs, so I obviously selected that over the other ones in the yard on DOHC cars.

Radiators are not wear parts, unless damaged or clogged by a human-caused reason, they last the life of the car (and the next car, if plucked from a yard). The great thing about our style of cars, is also that the radiator is completely guarded, in front by the A/C condesor taking the rock/bug hits, and in the rear by fan shrouds.

Again, if for some reason you lack confidence in used non-wear parts, or simply aren't as comfortable with JY items as many of us home-brew guys, then definitely take another path. I assure you, though, that in my 6yrs of owning this car, more than half of that being at the 12sec level, and putting upwards of 23k/yr on it during some of my college years... I'd never install anything that would hinder its reliability while I'm driving across country, or to work/school.

- Dave

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