Anyone have Auto Rad ?

[JamesJ]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

Well to me the huge benefit of the Autorad is the core support and the fact that the radiator can be so much larger (and is centered, but that's just being picky)

Thats the only real benefit compared to other high quality aluminum radiators. Not trying to start anything but I have to say they all will perform pretty close.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by JamesJ

Thats the only real benefit compared to other high quality aluminum radiators. Not trying to start anything but I have to say they all will perform pretty close.

And the fact that the AutoRad core support is "flat" and gives another few inches of clearance between the front of the engine and the radiator. This means that it's easier to run an air intake.

All GOOD radiators will get the job done.. but that can be said of many things.

[ironworks]

I have PRC unit in my Chassiworks Camaro project. It is nice and fits just fine. But the difference between the PRC unit and the Autorad unit are miles apart. The Autorad unit is Bend square tubing where the PRC unit is miter cut joins. If I had a customer using a stock subframe car and he wanted the nicest core support without having to build a mega dollar custom unit the Autorad unit is way nicer for the practically the same price.

I'm a dealer for both products and I make the same margin on both units and I have never been given a any products from either of these vendors. So my opinion is not slanted toward free product or the product I push. In a market of Bolt on crap that does not just flat out sucks, it is nice to see something that I bought for a customers car that I think lives up to the quality I try to put into our fab work.

[GregWeld]

AUTO RAD is the finest piece of art in my Nomad... and the front sheet metal has never fit better since I switched to using their core support.

Did GoodGuys show this weekend -- and heard person after person saying "wow! Look at that radiator"! --- Not kidding here either.

When I ordered it - I gave Jim (the owner) dimensions that had to be met - and they were spot on...

[awr68]

Increadable car Greg! Glad I was able to see it this weekend!

[Vegas69]

That is trick Greg, nice work.

[GregWeld]

Thanks Tony! Great BBQ this weekend! I owe ya now buddy...

Well -- I owe Jennifer... :>)


Todd -- Thank you! As you can tell from the pixs they were taken while still not finished (the hood missing was a key clue? or maybe the rad hoses missing?) but I was trying to show the RADIATOR rather than my work/car.

I will share a caution on these radiator questions.... and I should include photos but don't have any up in photobucket. My last radiator / core support (FROM PRC) (expensive polished version) the buttheads WELDED the radiator to the core support (all aluminum)!! What MORON would WELD the radiator to the core support - making the radiator UNSERVICEABLE!

Remember too -- that there are various GAUGES of aluminum -- they might all be polished or whatever - but thin polished ain't the same as heavy gauge polished -- and the AUTO RAD is built UNBELIEVABLY WELL! PERIOD. And I'm not easily impressed.

[JamesJ]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

And the fact that the AutoRad core support is "flat" and gives another few inches of clearance between the front of the engine and the radiator. This means that it's easier to run an air intake.

All GOOD radiators will get the job done.. but that can be said of many things.

Thats what I am saying, the core support is what gives you the ability to do other things that will make a difference.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by JamesJ

Thats the only real benefit compared to other high quality aluminum radiators. Not trying to start anything but I have to say they all will perform pretty close.

Not so fast, the extra width allows larger fans. These cars weren't engineered for 600-700hp worth of cooling capacity. I drove my car yesterday with a PRC radiator and dual 12" Spal fans. It was 110, maybe a hair more. It actually does great as long as you stay moving. I was purposely driving it around town stop light to stop light to get it warm for a carb heat soak issue that caused me starting issues on Friday. It hit 210 after about 20-30 minutes of run time. My car actually runs fantastic at that temp. Not concerning but once I get the AC on it won't be to favorable unless I stay moving. I'd hate to see it above 220. This is with 13qts of oil and a aluminum block and heads. On the flip side, I chose my radiator support for my breather tanks, power steering resorvoir, AC accumulator. With a wider radiator, that wouldn't of been possible.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Not so fast, the extra width allows larger fans. These cars weren't engineered for 600-700hp worth of cooling capacity. I drove my car yesterday with a PRC radiator and dual 12" Spal fans. It was 110, maybe a hair more. It actually does great as long as you stay moving. I was purposely driving it around town stop light to stop light to get it warm for a carb heat soak issue that caused me starting issues on Friday. It hit 210 after about 20-30 minutes of run time. My car actually runs fantastic at that temp. Not concerning but once I get the AC on it won't be to favorable unless I stay moving. I'd hate to see it above 220. This is with 13qts of oil and a aluminum block and heads. On the flip side, I chose my radiator support for my breather tanks, power steering resorvoir, AC accumulator. With a wider radiator, that wouldn't of been possible.

We normally do dual 13s on that radiator, but with your built in engine oil cooler your limited to dual 12s. The difference in total CFM from 2850 to 3490 is substantial especially at idle. 20% more fan will make a big difference in idle cooling. 4700 CFM out of dual 16" fans on a full core support is a huge difference.

With a wider core, mounting everything might get tricky for you. You would most likely have to front mount a overflow or one of your other canisters.