Thread: Oversized Radiators

Hello All,

I have a 97 Grand Prix GTP with no mods at the moment but I will be starting to add mods next year. Anyways, I would like to know what are the benefits of getting a oversized radiator for my 97 GTP. Is it a good idea or a bad one? Plus, my radiator has not been working efficiently.

we don't have cooling issues. the stock radiator is fine. replace with another stock one.

if its running at 200 degrees. thats normal and where it wants to run. you already have the larger rad vs the n/a rad.

i have the smaller rad in my gs, its just fine. temps are the same.

Thanks Fellas for your info! I thought maybe it would make a difference.

Yea stick with stock size. Also if you plan on modding further and let's say you go the header route it tends to already have barely enough clearance as it is.

And you'll be surprised what a cooling flush and Tstat change will do and much cheaper then a radiator.

Yea that's good to know about the radiator and the headers because I'm going to be getting headers next year.

Yea i flushed my radiator quite a few times with the flush kit at the auto parts store and it helped but now the radiator has a little leak on the side.

Originally Posted by Flip97GTP

Hello All,

I have a 97 Grand Prix GTP with no mods at the moment but I will be starting to add mods next year. Anyways, I would like to know what are the benefits of getting a oversized radiator for my 97 GTP. Is it a good idea or a bad one? Plus, my radiator has not been working efficiently.

I upgraded the rad in my old silver car, but that's only because I had an excuse to - the old one was clogged with dexcool sludge to the point it wasn't salvageable. I may upgrade in the spring, if only because with a 160* I run closer to 190-200 in the summer. (The fans come on at 170 and 175.) Either that or a trans cooler, I'm not sure yet.

With a stock car or even a mildly modded one, I wouldn't worry. Some genius at GM thought 212* was a good temperature to turn the cooling fans on (low speed) and 228* (high speed). A canned tune from DHP or Intense will fix that, along with a 180* thermostat. Because running over 200* invites predetonation and KR...

Thanks for the info hensleya I will keep that in mind, if I do heavy duty nodding...Lol thanks everyone

Originally Posted by hensleya1

With a stock car or even a mildly modded one, I wouldn't worry. Some genius at GM thought 212* was a good temperature to turn the cooling fans on (low speed) and 228* (high speed). A canned tune from DHP or Intense will fix that, along with a 180* thermostat. Because running over 200* invites predetonation and KR...

I don't think GM was stupid by using those fan settings, remember, as an OEM they have to make compromises with emissions and fuel consumption... both of which go up by running the engine coolant temp lower. That said, as an enthusiast, you aren't bound by the same rules and can do as you like.

Also I am going to be getting the ZZP Stage 2 performance package next year and it comes with the 180**thermostat to reduce KR. So I think I'm going to just run with a new stock radiator.

Originally Posted by Flip97GTP

Also I am going to be getting the ZZP Stage 2 performance package next year and it comes with the 180**thermostat to reduce KR. So I think I'm going to just run with a new stock radiator.

I would think twice before you do that purchase.

Sent from BFE

Why do you say that? Explain that to me please

That kit is what 700 bucks or something right?

Comes with what a
3.4 MPS
3" DP
CAI
ZZP PCM
104s
Belt
Tstat

Out of all those things only the downpipe is an actual supporting mod and most of the time a downpipe is not near enough for a 3.4 even some people with headers struggle to run on a 3.4 but everycar is different and dropping pulley sizes is all based on KR.

I want to say basic 3.4 setups range from stuff like this give or take

Headers
Headers/1.9s
Plog/DP
Plog/DP/1.9s

But its all based on how much your car knocks.
Not to mention everything in that kit can be had for probably 200-300 bucks and thats being generous and headers can be had 200-250ish and flow much better than a Downpipe. Or a Plog/DP combo for about the same money.

If you haven't yet give this a read http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...00-Powered-Car


Sent from BFE

If that sounds botched at all its because I'm very tired this morning.

Sent from BFE

No, you explained that just fine!

I going to start a new thread on this topic so this thread doesn't get off topic. Lol....I don't want to tick anyone off. :-D Thanks for the link and your info. I will post the new thread link topic here.

Here is the link to the new thread.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...mance-Package!