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-   Heating & Cooling TECH (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=420)
-   -   Summit aluminum radiators, anyone used them? (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397524)

Pontiac signman 07-26-2003 11:30 AM

Guys,

Just curious if any of us had used this radiator? Listed for Chevy at...25.75" X 19", in and outs are in good places, has 2 rows of 1" tubing (like others). I'm looking to put in a 67 GTO. Figured I'd ask, before spending $500 or so. Summit's is $169. I know the filler is not in center (like orig.), but not concerned about that. Any advice or ideas helpful!

Thanks

Pontiac signman 07-26-2003 11:30 AM

Guys,

Just curious if any of us had used this radiator? Listed for Chevy at...25.75" X 19", in and outs are in good places, has 2 rows of 1" tubing (like others). I'm looking to put in a 67 GTO. Figured I'd ask, before spending $500 or so. Summit's is $169. I know the filler is not in center (like orig.), but not concerned about that. Any advice or ideas helpful!

Thanks

NOZZLENUT05 07-26-2003 02:48 PM

I know a couple of guys around town here are using the summit radiator with good results. The only problem is you will need to make brackets to mount it in the car. One is a racecar and the other is a driver. I asked about it too and they told me to get the summit radiator, instead of spending gobs of money. That however is their experience with them. I don't know how other guys are making out.

pont406 07-29-2003 12:16 AM

I've got a Griffin Aluminum radiator (universal fit 26x19 $180 bucks, Summit/Jegs) in my 66 Lemans. it uses the stock 2/3core bottom mounts, fit them perfectly! had to fab a new top mount,no big deal, modify my repo shroud, doesn't have provisions for auto tranny fluid lines, i'm running a seperate cooler anyways, also no drain plug, again no big deal as any local shop could weld one in for you. it takes a little work on your part, but, it will save you a couple hundred bucks $180 vs $500 and the finished product looks nice and works just as well. http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_wink.gif

Pontiac signman 07-29-2003 08:46 AM

Guys,

Thanks for the replys! I don't mind a little fabing, and don't need the cooler provisions (manual). What seems to be the difference between the summit and the griffin? Picts seems to have more normal tanks on griffin, in catalog? Price is real close. Griffin probably makes the summit one? There cams are made be Crane. Any more info. is always appreciated!!!

Thanks again!

herdsman 07-29-2003 07:04 PM

I have the same Summit radiator that you are talking about for sale with upper and lower brackets. It only has 2 miles on it (8-1/4 mile runs) It was in my 65 GTO. Let me know.

Man, I'm pretty! WHOA MAMA!

pont406 07-29-2003 11:12 PM

The Griffin radiators have more "stock size" tanks on them,as does the pic I saw of the Summit rad, probably would work as well. I've heard from a couple of Turbo Buick owners who bought the "bolt in" Be Cool rads for there car, $500 bucks and they had to modify there mounts for it to "bolt in"! http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...n_rolleyes.gif

LouisianaGuy 07-30-2003 05:22 AM

Just about all of the be cool crap has to be fabbed in...friend spent 400 plus for an A BOLT IN s-10 radiator conversion and we had to hack all the core support and relocate teh AC lines which they said would definatley be in the stock location. TOTAL BS, will never use BE cool again.
Mike

gto_guy 07-30-2003 06:53 AM

I`ve got the a Griffin universal radiator that I ordered from Summit but it`s the bigger one with the two 1 1/4" cores.It was around 290.00.I have a 4 speed but still had to modify the shroud a little and move on of the lower brackets over a little.Still a very easy install

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy

Pontiac signman 07-30-2003 12:27 PM

Thanks again for the info. Looks like I'll be using them. Just can't justify spending the xtra bucks right now, for the big dollar ones!

slowgto 07-31-2003 05:59 AM

The $570 Be Cool radiator listed for the 1970 GTO does not fit. I cut my fan shroud up to get in on this "custom fit" radiator only to find out I would need to bend my top mount to get it in. Then I would have still needed to find a way to top-mount it since the original bolts now hit the radiator. It also requires new trans lines-not included. I sent it back. Go with the cheaper one since you will have to fabricate anyway.

myoldgoat 07-31-2003 10:02 AM

I just installed one in my 65 GTO. I lucked out as I still had the 2" lower mounts and the 2" rubber for the top bracket. Wasn't hard to put in, but had to use a 67 upper hose as the inlet is on the opposite side. Results were that in cool weather never got over 165 in warm weather ran at 180 in traffic or at lights would still go to 200. We'll see how well it holds up. I am going to modifiy the upper bracket as the raditor sits low and install a second upper on the left side under the finger guard. I had to modify the shroude to fit the lower and upper hoses.

Tom Cheatwood 07-31-2003 10:21 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gto_guy:
I`ve got the a Griffin universal radiator that I ordered from Summit but it`s the bigger one with the two 1 1/4" cores.It was around 290.00.I have a 4 speed but still had to modify the shroud a little and move on of the lower brackets over a little.Still a very easy install

http://www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

GTO Guy
C http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...on_biggrin.gif Can you show some pictures of the Alum. radiator after instalation? How did you modify your shroud?

Tom Cheatwood
62 tempest 455
68 GTO 400

gto_guy 07-31-2003 12:41 PM

I can take some pictures sometime this weekend and put them up.Either the inlet or outlet was hitting the shroud and I had to cut a little out around it to get it to go in.

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy

thecarman 08-02-2003 12:37 PM

How does the Summit Aluminum radiator hold up as a daily driver? I just want to know how the radiator will hold up for around town or freeway driving as compared to just using it for racing? And what temps will it operate at around town and on the freeway?

[email protected]

gto_guy 08-05-2003 06:26 AM

I got mine out to cruise around town some this weekend and it ran really cool.Most of the time around 160 and it got up to 180 once.It really suprised me.I forgot to get a pic of the install,I was busy putting the front bumper and valance on so I could cruise a little.Sorry

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy

64speed 08-06-2003 11:21 AM

I am looking at doing this very same swap on my 64. Exactly how much fabrication is required to make these summit rads work? is it a simple thing to do or is this gonna be an all day project. What about hoses and such? This car is driven EVERYDAY rain or shine. Is this rad swap a good idea? Car is 389 4 speed GTO


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