Need radiator recommendations for a '69!!

My radiator started leaking between the fins where a tie goes through to hold on a chrome fan shroud. I was thinking about either recoring my factory radiator or buying an aluminum radiator. Who makes a good aluminum radiator that is reasonably priced and is a direct fit. I don't want to spend $400-500. I saw the Champion Cooling radiators on ebay(never heard of them.) My 434 is making about 676HP at the crank so I need a radiator that can keep it cool. THanks for any input!!

Summit direct fit aluminum radiator. Two row, with 1" tubes. $280. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM%2D380458&view=1&N=700+150+

The Summit radiator is made in the USA by Northern Radiator, and is a quality part. :yes:

My radiator started leaking between the fins where a tie goes through to hold on a chrome fan shroud. I was thinking about either recoring my factory radiator or buying an aluminum radiator. Who makes a good aluminum radiator that is reasonably priced and is a direct fit. I don't want to spend $400-500. I saw the Champion Cooling radiators on ebay(never heard of them.) My 434 is making about 676HP at the crank so I need a radiator that can keep it cool. THanks for any input!!

With the cubic inches and power you have I would not want to cheap out on something as important as a good raditator! Call up Griffin radiators, they have a universal radiator that fits 3rd gens with 2 row 1 1/2" tubes for under $400.00! JMO!!

I've had a Griffin in my 69 for 10 years--600+ h.p. is no problem to keep cool even in 100+ temps. I paid $179. and a few cents worth of aluminum to make some brackets. Got a friend that can weld aluminum? The radiators without brackets cost about half as much.

80's v-8 camaro with cheapie plastic tanks: $35 with a warranty from Ecology. It's 28" wide, so I took a cover from a later 70's Nova (or ventura or omega or apollo), that was the correct width and made it work in my car. For the price you can't beat it. My car runs fine in 100+ degree heat. raced in 107* and drove to and from the track. I also have a Spal electric fan with shroud that was over $200, but you can figure something out from the wrecking yard for much cheaper

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/aron71nova/Blue%20Car/IMG_0870.jpg

I used a Griffin in an S10 V8 conversion for 200,000 + miles with no trouble!:no:

Thanks for the advise everybody! You are right, cooling is not the place to get cheap. The Griffin direct fit at Summit is $557. That is out of my budget at the moment. I will have to look into a universal with custom brackets made. Anybody used the Summit version on a '69? I noticed there is not a '69 application listed. What is the difference?

Thanks for the advise everybody! You are right, cooling is not the place to get cheap. The Griffin direct fit at Summit is $557. That is out of my budget at the moment. I will have to look into a universal with custom brackets made. Anybody used the Summit version on a '69? I noticed there is not a '69 application listed. What is the difference?

Yes, I am currently using the Summit radiator in my '69 with a 320 horse LT1. They do not list a '69 for some odd reason... but it works.

You will need to modify the rubber isolators on the top to fit the deeper radiator side tanks. Nothing that a sharp knife won't fix. Or, if you really want, you can use a big block radiator hold down and big block radiator isolators for the upper. (the lower isolators for a small block or straight 6 work just fine).

FYI - I just noticed that you have a manual transmission. The direct fit radiators have an integrated auto tranny cooler, which you don't need. You could just go to a Summit universal fit radiator and save $100... just a thought...

Thanks for the advise everybody! You are right, cooling is not the place to get cheap. The Griffin direct fit at Summit is $557. That is out of my budget at the moment. I will have to look into a universal with custom brackets made. Anybody used the Summit version on a '69? I noticed there is not a '69 application listed. What is the difference?

I have a 27 1/2" by 19" griffin universal in my 68 and I used all the stock rubbers and upper support with no issues! No custom stuff needed! Herbert performance has my radiator for $169.00 as I type this. Part number GRI1-25242-x. Hope this helps!

I have a 27 1/2" by 19" griffin universal in my 68 and I used all the stock rubbers and upper support with no issues! No custom stuff needed! Herbert performance has my radiator for $169.00 as I type this. Part number GRI1-25242-x. Hope this helps!

That might work. I am definitely willing to spend $169. I need to see if there are any differences in the radiator support between the '68 & the '69. Thanks Fast Eddie!!

That might work. I am definitely willing to spend $169. I need to see if there are any differences in the radiator support between the '68 & the '69. Thanks Fast Eddie!!

You got it!:thumbsup:

That might work. I am definitely willing to spend $169. I need to see if there are any differences in the radiator support between the '68 & the '69. Thanks Fast Eddie!!

Fast Eddie - What type of HP is your engine making? I notice Griffin rates the radiators with 1" tubes to 400HP. I have seen a couple people claim that it will cool a engine making much more than that.

Can anybody else comment on this or should I play it safe and go to a 1 1/4" tubed radiator(rated to 600HP)?

Fast Eddie - What type of HP is your engine making? I notice Griffin rates the radiators with 1" tubes to 400HP. I have seen a couple people claim that it will cool a engine making much more than that.

Can anybody else comment on this or should I play it safe and go to a 1 1/4" tubed radiator(rated to 600HP)?

I would say my car makes around 430-440 horsepower. I talked to Benji at griffin radiators and he said that he would sell me a new radiator with the 1 1/4 rows for $253.00. I sent mine back to be cleaned why the motor is apart and he said he would like to see me step up to the bigger radiator. I never had heat issues after I put my new water pump on last year. I am going to run the same radiator since it worked fine for me. I have a friend that is making 730 horsepower in a pro charged camaro that runs the same size radiator with no heat issues!

eddie thats cool! (no pun intended)

FWIW I used a stock replacement 3 core radiator from a I think 1-800 radiator or some radiator delivery place when I worked at the Saturn dealer in Fremont, CA. I ordered one for an A/C equipped car and a new heater core. All together I believe it was under $200 for both.

Hey what year 80's camaro radiator will work? like 3rd gen 82-92?

Hey what year 80's camaro radiator will work? like 3rd gen 82-92?


I believe that should work. I used an 89 if I remember correctly. The coolant color was good, and the fins weren't damaged and the rows looked to be not corroded. Only downfall is the plastic side tanks. Lots of people talk ish on them.

have the summit in mine.. 5 years and going strong.... made several 100 mile trips each way plus the driving when I was there.....

my 385 is fairly nasty.. over 500hp

Don't forget when you get your new rad not to mount your shroud with those plastic ties.I put a new rad in my car and the the rad shop said not to use those ties as I had my electric fan mounted to the rad with them,as you know they put holes in your rad due to constantly rubbing with all the vibration of driving.I made up stainless steel brackets for my fan::yes:

I have a Jeg's direct fit for my 71 Nova. Part # 555-51901 for auto-transmission for 289.00. Used original OEM plastic shroud and fits perfect.
Oh, its a 2 row, 1" core design.

Griffin 31x19. 189.00 Cools excellent with my fans:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/Bad68Nova_/000_0014.jpg

^^ What a bunch of folks have said...the Summit universal fit is a fine rad!:yes: I have 1 in my '71 and it works great. Whenever the fan kicks on the temp drops like a rock. I don't see over 190 even when sitting in traffic. I expect the Jegs universal is made by the same folks and is probably just as good.

Dave