graphicjunkie Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I'm going to be picking up the JR kit and book here real soon which I know covers cooling in great detail. But I've got a lead on a a few good V8 radiators that I don't want to miss out on if the right application is available. Was wondering if someone could tell me what to look out for? Possible key makes and years? Avoid XYZ at all costs....that kind of stuff. LT1 engine.... should be good for approx. 500hp... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graphicjunkie Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 most specifically, this one.. Gmc Pickup Ck Sierra Pick Truck Ck 1500 96-1996 Radiator 7.4 V8 I would expect a 7.4L application would be big enough to keep mine cool, but what about cooling direction? Does that matter? I know the LT1 is backwards, but I dont know the ups and downs about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 No clue on the truck rad. The biggest issue is size, there is not a lot of room in our cars. You can get the dimensions at http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Parts_DATZ_Radiator_Kit.html. I tried fitting a 94 Z28 rad from my donor car, wasn't even close. Seems like the JTR manual said somehting about an '86 chevey rad. But the price of JTR's radiator is a deal, its aluminum you get the brackets and fittings and it fits. The LT1 does run backwards. I have the thermostat fitting on the water pump going to the bottom rad fitting on the passenger side and the top fitting of the rad on the driver's side going to the other fitting on the water pump. Do some searching here, you need the fitting for the steam pipe on the LT1 plumbed in or you WILL have major cooling problems. You also need to vent off the air in the heads when you fisrt fire up the LT1 or again you WILL have major coolling issues. most specifically, this one..Gmc Pickup Ck Sierra Pick Truck Ck 1500 96-1996 Radiator 7.4 V8 I would expect a 7.4L application would be big enough to keep mine cool, but what about cooling direction? Does that matter? I know the LT1 is backwards, but I dont know the ups and downs about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graphicjunkie Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Great info. I guess I'll just plan on getting the kit. THANKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 One other thing about the LT1 you should know early. Depending on what car your engine came from you may be too many hose fittings on the water pump. If you have an F-body engine you will need to remove and plug that bottom right hose fitting. For venting off the air in the heads download this doc and follow the instructions. Its tough getting the air out, you may have to do it several times but this works. http://www.dejavideo.net/280z8/CoolantDrainandRefill.doc For some insite on how to plumb in the steam pipe from the heads there are several methods mentioned in this link. http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=120241&highlight=lt1+water+pump Dale Great info. I guess I'll just plan on getting the kit. THANKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 measure up the radiator support and get a griffin, C&R, fluidyne...etc they can be had on the cheap on ebay and you dont have to worry about plastic end tanks cracking or going to the junkyard and getting covered in 10 year old anti freeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graphicjunkie Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 thanks for the input...I just bit the bullet and got the JTR kit. V8 kit, radiator, mounts, fittings, T's...and manuals. Large chunk of my go fast money, but sounds like it's going to save head aches down the road. Thanks and I'll keep this thread handy for that water pump info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X64v Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 You won't regret the JTR radiator, I love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96LT1280Z Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 That wasn't much money, well spent. Grief DOES have a dollar value! JTR stuff minimizes the grief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 That wasn't much money, well spent. Grief DOES have a dollar value! JTR stuff minimizes the grief. Well put. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graphicjunkie Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Agreed. That's why I did it. I could have gotten a used radiator for MUCH cheaper. But in the end, if it fails...not so cheap. I'm getting really close to execution time. Just a few more pieces to the puzzle. Thanks so much for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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