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View Full Version : Best Aftermarket Radiator


redfirepearlgt
02-14-2012, 03:16 PM
Just curious what the opinion was on best Aluminum Radiator on the market?

App - 2005 Mustang GT 473 RWHP - custom grind cams, LT's, 2.3L twin screw pushing 9.5 lb boost.

Have opportunity to buy an AFCO new in the box. Supposed to be a direct swap out. Have seen other brands out there as well. More concerned with quality over price. Thanks.
cstreu1026
02-14-2012, 04:22 PM
Is you car getting hot?
redfirepearlgt
02-14-2012, 07:55 PM
Is you car getting hot?

No. Just wish to keep it cool with the mods on it. Will go as high as 190 at idle sitting in summer then settle around 170 moving (w 160 thermostat in it). Would like it a little more stable when idling. Figured the car could use a little more cooling than the stock radiator is supplying just to be on the safe side. Does not overheat.
blown96cobra
02-15-2012, 12:09 AM
Fluidyne or afco
redfirepearlgt
02-15-2012, 01:02 AM
Fluidyne or afco

Thanks ! Ordering one this week. Can pick one up right now from a distrib on the west coast for $379.00 and free shipping. Regularly $540.00. AFCO brand BTW.
blown96cobra
02-15-2012, 11:59 AM
No. Just wish to keep it cool with the mods on it. Will go as high as 190 at idle sitting in summer then settle around 170 moving (w 160 thermostat in it). Would like it a little more stable when idling. Figured the car could use a little more cooling than the stock radiator is supplying just to be on the safe side. Does not overheat.

you may wanna ditch that 160 stat, from what ive been told they wont keep the coolant in the radiator long enough to allow it to cool down ive had really good luck with a 180deg stat
redfirepearlgt
02-15-2012, 12:59 PM
you may wanna ditch that 160 stat, from what ive been told they wont keep the coolant in the radiator long enough to allow it to cool down ive had really good luck with a 180deg stat

Now that does make some good sense. Either way still want to upgrade the radiator just to be on the safe side of things. I've seen side-by-side comparisons of the radiator out of the S197 GT with a replacement aluminum AFCO and the size difference is vast. With the engine now putting better than 200HP more to the rear wheels than factory, the upgrade would be peace of mind as well as needed IMO.
5.0calypso93lx
02-15-2012, 02:06 PM
I wouldn't waste the money personally Chad. 190 in the summer with a blower, nothing to complain about there.
redfirepearlgt
02-15-2012, 07:35 PM
I wouldn't waste the money personally Chad. 190 in the summer with a blower, nothing to complain about there.

Alright then. You convinced me. I'll put the money towards adjustable QA1 rear struts then. THanks guys.
cstreu1026
02-15-2012, 08:28 PM
Considering the mod motors were designed to run in taxi cabs and police cars 190 is nothing. Another thing to consider about the 160 degree thermostat is that it may cause the computer in your car to stay in open loop longer which causes it to burn more fuel. At least that use to be a common problem back in the day with turbo 2.3's and cold thermostats.
5.0calypso93lx
02-15-2012, 09:17 PM
Alright then. You convinced me. I'll put the money towards adjustable QA1 rear struts then. THanks guys.

LOL, I didn't mean to talk you in or out of it, but that's just me personally. But I agree, I would definitely do some suspension before that radiator.
redfirepearlgt
02-16-2012, 12:57 AM
LOL, I didn't mean to talk you in or out of it, but that's just me personally. But I agree, I would definitely do some suspension before that radiator.

Not at all. The feedback on the subject from you and Cstreu1026 provided made valid points that I did not factor due to not knowing. Just assumed that when you mod a motor with LT's, cams, and 9.5psi boost twin screw it needs to have some additional cooling.

Thanks!
Bman
02-16-2012, 09:31 PM
Chad its like a laser if it ain't broke don't mess with it.
redfirepearlgt
02-17-2012, 12:51 AM
Chad its like a laser if it ain't broke don't mess with it.

Thanks. BTW Hows Kev at CLC? :bigthumb:bigthumb

Tell him the new job is going well. Just a whole new world of equipment to learn. Hope all is well there!
Bman
02-17-2012, 07:05 PM
Thanks. BTW Hows Kev at CLC? :bigthumb:bigthumb

Tell him the new job is going well. Just a whole new world of equipment to learn. Hope all is well there!

We are good you know how it gets sometimes.He is putting the Beretta back together. It broke the cam in two places so he is building a 355 for it.
redfirepearlgt
02-17-2012, 11:06 PM
He is putting the Beretta back together. It broke the cam in two places so he is building a 355 for it.

Dag!!!! Hope to see you guys at the trac kwith that thing running sometime this summer! Take it easy.