73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Mike Phillips on June 05, 2009, 11:56:58 PM
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What's forum concensus on which style of radiator is the better option to go with?
I have a 4-core radiator that came with a 1986 Suburban with factory 454 but it needs to be re-cored and the local radiator shop wants approximately $450.00 and that's to use whatever the best core stock is for max performance.
A local guy has an aluminum radiator, new in the box for $175.00 Size: 19" H x 32" W x 2.2" thick the stock radiator in my Jimmy is 19" H x 34" W x 2.5" thick so it's pretty close to the same dimensions.
Talked to a radiator shop and they said if a rock hits the radiator and punctures a tube most radiator shops won't be able to fix it, but with a standard copper core radiator most shops could fix it.
Any opinions?
:)
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It is my understanding aluminum radiators cool better. Just my $.02!
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if you are looking to chop weight off the front end which I don't think you are you should go with the aluminum one. I had an aluminum radiator in my old dodge rock came up and got into it they couldnt fix it, so I put the old radiator in it. Depends on your budget really, you can probably go with the aluminum one for now and it will get the job done no problem.
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Mostly trying to do this engine swap on a budget. $450.00 to rebuild the old one or $175.00 for the new aluminum one.
I'd like to go with having my stock Chevy radiator rebuilt using the best core material possible.
Will think about it for a few days.
Thanks,
:)
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$450 sounds high to recore your old Rad. I haven't checked prices in awhile but I thought you could get a new Modine 4 core for about $250. Have you priced new ones from a local parts store?
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Have you priced new ones from a local parts store?
Not yet, I'll check with NAPA see what they can do. I heard that prices went up because copper went up in price?
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I just googled "modine 4 core radiator chevy k30" and came up with a few listings that had 4 cores in the $250-$280 range. Both Autozone and Oreileys had 4 cores in that price range (not sure if they were Modines or not).
I got my Modine from Napa a few years ago.