[GoGoat]

What brand of Aluminuim radiator is perfered? Going in 69 Firebird.

[paint guy]

I have used the generic "Summit" brand (Made by Northern) in my 69 GTO and my sons 72 Chevelle with a 454. Both cars hold steady at 190*F with no issues. They are both 2-core aluminum. There are probably better radiators out there, but for the price, I am well satisfied. I will buy the same type for my next project.

[Kyflier]

X2 on the Summit, have one in my Ventura, works just fine for me. I also bought their electric fan and shroud set up as well

[1967Tempest]

I have a Griffin in the Tempest. 10 years old. Held up very well. The only issue is self brought on by bent fins from removal. Highly recomended.

In the 1962 Catalina Wagon, I have an Ebay special. Works good too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-ROW...Q5fAccessories


Your 1969 Firebird would be this one, ooh, free shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-...item25649dabc6


HTH,
Dave

[66Post]

Griffin exact fit in my 66 GTO, looks stock are works great, but they ain't cheap.

[71 Ventura II]

We use the "AllStar" brand which Is identicle to the Summit offering. You can buy them at the local circle track shop for $170.00. This was the only radiator that kept my old 400 cool in the Summer. I broke a bracket and the mechanical fan killed it! I traded for a Griffin aluminum radiator to replace it; it did NOT cool as good even when I switched to a Taurus electric fan. my .02 JD

One point: Be mindfull when measuring the height/width you can fit. Advertised size isn't always accurate. I had to cut off the lower radiator tray and mount with 'L" brackets and slightly lean the radiator towards the engine for hood clearance. A big issue is the water fill neck is straight up at the top not angled like the stock setup. Also, the lower outlet has an angle to it not straight like factory.

[1967Tempest]

Originally Posted by 71 Ventura II

Also, the lower outlet has an angle to it not straight like factory.

Good point. My Griffin is angled. My lower radiator hose is for a 1969 Chevy truck with a 307 engine with AC. Mounted upside down. Like it was made for the car....

[vidguy]

I bought a Champion on Ebay last year. It fit "almost" perfectly with the factory plastic shroud in my 75 Formula. So far I havent gotten the car to run hotter then 190-195 using a 160 thermostat with a small hole drilled in the thermostat. It's my daily driver and lately temps are in the 80's and 90's and i do idle around town sometimes.
Good deal I thought. It was made well from what I see.
I use a stock clutch fan setup in a 455 I built.
Here's some posts from my install.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...light=champion

[T A 70]

Where the hell were you guys when I was standing up for alum rads in the heating/cooling tech section...

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=668626

By the way, Rodney Red is what I purchased and will never look back.

[moparcolt]

I have a summit one in my 67 firebird. It has a. 060 over 400 in it and never runs hot. Great deal. If you want pics let me know!

Chris

[My442]

Alumitech is the only way to go.

100% USA made, and the owner (Don Kyte) is the BEST to work with.

The radiators are works of art!

[RAIV-Z]

Champion seem to work with my 69 RA-IV. Just doesn't have the provisions for the factory fan shroud.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-Row...Q5fAccessories

[bobzdar]

I went with the summit universal fit-required some trimmimg of the factory shroud and a different lower rad hose but works extremely well. The engine has not gone over 190 since putting it in, even flogging it on a road course shifting at redline every shift for a 20 minute session.

[TheMonkey]

I used champion because it said that it fits and the price was great.

Turns out it was racked. (Wouldn't lay flat).. Seller told me to bend it back and stopped returning emails. Nice.

Instead of trying to bend it, I moved one of the lower mounts 3/4" to make the top look straight against cowl. Even if it was straight, I had to make special mounting provisions for top bracket.

But it functions excellent. Does what I want it to. But next time I think I would pay up for better fit.

The fan that came with champion radiator is junk and I put on a pair of BA spal fans.

[CaptCrunch]

Originally Posted by My442

Alumitech is the only way to go.

100% USA made, and the owner (Don Kyte) is the BEST to work with.

The radiators are works of art!

I have one too..........very nice fit and finish and somewhat stock looking too........

[grivera]

I have a Summit direct fit aluminum radiator in my 69 bird. It bolted up nicely and the temps have not gone over 190- even when breaking-in the new engine in August. I had to cut a hole in the factory shroud for the upper hose because the actual core is not as wide as the original rad- the brackets, however, lined up well and the unit comes with a trans cooler.

[67post3spd]

I was told the summit radiators didn't have a lower drain. Is this right? That caused me to go with a 24" universal from jegs that i could see had a provision for a petcock on the bottom left side. $140.00 Today was my first test drive and it seems to have made a huge cooling difference. This is on a 67 with 400.

[1967Tempest]

Originally Posted by 67post3spd

I was told the summit radiators didn't have a lower drain. Is this right?

My Griffin does not have a drain either. PITA!!!!!

I have been toying with the idea of swapping out a new radiator. I am positive that there is crude in mine. 10 years of punishment and coolant swaps with 3 different engines. Temps are creeping up a hair.

With all of the aluminum rads so cheap, it is pointless to have it recored.. Just made up my mine. I am going to get a cross flow like the Griffin.

[hgerhardt]

Originally Posted by 1967Tempest

My Griffin does not have a drain either. PITA!!!!!

Huh... my '66 GTO Griffin has a drain. But it's a stock-style down-flow version.

And +1 more for the Griffin... the tanks are stamped and look pretty much factory, unlike most of the aftermarket alum rads that have tanks welded up from flat stock. I painted my top tank black and you have to look really closely to see that it's not a stocker.

[1967Tempest]

Anyone using a Griffin 55222 only difference is bigger cooling tubes.