As some of you know the aluminum cross flow radiator I installed did not work out as well as hoped. SO I contacted the Griffin folks (www.griffinrad.com) and told them about my situation. Their recommendation was to install one of their aluminum down flow radiators built on their '53 Studebaker template and configured for an LS1 installation. That is they move the inlet to the passenger side and size the inlet and outlet to LS specifications. It also has a port to connect the steam vent that LS engines use, though I do not need that as I have mine plumbed to my water pump. This radiator has two rows of 1.25 inch tubes. My previous copper/brass radiator had 4 rows of .25 inch tubes so this one should have significantly more capacity. It appears to be extremely well constructed and is made in America.
I am going to try it with out a fan shroud first, as that is how my previous down flow radiator was installed and it worked pretty well. You can see the fan bracket here.
Here are pictures of the completed installation with hoses in place and the cold air induction back in place.
My purpose for doing all this was to get the radiator inlet out of the way so I could route cooler air to the engine intake. After hearing the Griffin expert say that a down flow radiator will work fine with the inlet and outlet on the same side, I certainly might have had my previous radiator modified to do that and saved a bunch of money. But, I chose to go this route to hopefully solve the issue once and for all. I drove it around yesterday in about 90 degree heat with the AC on and was pleased with the results. It is supposed to be mid 90s today and I will give it another work out to see how it does. Next Saturday I plan to drive it on IDYSD with the Karel Staple chapter crew over to the Studebaker Cafe in Kelseyville, CA. That will involve some hill climbing, we will see how it does with that.
I am going to try it with out a fan shroud first, as that is how my previous down flow radiator was installed and it worked pretty well. You can see the fan bracket here.
Here are pictures of the completed installation with hoses in place and the cold air induction back in place.
My purpose for doing all this was to get the radiator inlet out of the way so I could route cooler air to the engine intake. After hearing the Griffin expert say that a down flow radiator will work fine with the inlet and outlet on the same side, I certainly might have had my previous radiator modified to do that and saved a bunch of money. But, I chose to go this route to hopefully solve the issue once and for all. I drove it around yesterday in about 90 degree heat with the AC on and was pleased with the results. It is supposed to be mid 90s today and I will give it another work out to see how it does. Next Saturday I plan to drive it on IDYSD with the Karel Staple chapter crew over to the Studebaker Cafe in Kelseyville, CA. That will involve some hill climbing, we will see how it does with that.
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