Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Good Aluminum Radiator for a 600 horse BBC?

I have a 72 nova with with a built 396 that makes about 600 horse. Can someone recommend a good radiator that would cool it in the ARIZONA summer heat?

Check out the Griffin site at:

www.griffinrad.com

Go to the Automotive page. Go to the Racing Radiator page. Notice the note that says:

2 ROW 1 1/2" TUBES ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL RADIATORS - CALL 1-800-722-3723 FOR A PART NUMBER.

I bought the 31" x 19", 2 row, 1.5" rows radiator for my blown 383. I'm running it with Evans waterless coolant, and my temps are great. If it's cool out I actually have to block off part of the rad to keep temps up. If it's hot out (>80F) then the temps stay at 177F max.

Pix at my site: http://home.mindspring.com/~jim_fisk/id1.html

Jim

^^^ I bought a Griffin Alum. radiator for my car too...have yet to see how it works (car should be running by the this coming weekend)

I would say either Griffin or BeCool

I ran a Griffin 2 row with 1.5" rows and had no luck with it at all. The car would get up to temperature and just keep on climbing. I switched water pumps, thermostats, fans and coolants but nothing I did would keep the car cool. I just went ahead and dropped the money on a Be Cool radiator and it has run perfect ever since. The radiator is a 2 row with 1.5" rows and it's actually smaller than the 31x19 Griffin I had. I'm not saying Griffin is junk, but it's always easier and cheaper to do it right the first time and not take chances.

I'm not saying Griffin is junk, but it's always easier and cheaper to do it right the first time and not take chances.

Maybe you just got a bad one....??

From EVERYONE I've talked to - they said Griffin is really good.....

It's possible I got a bad one I guess, but I did check the radiator to make sure it was flowing well and it was. I bought it because of their reputation and because my buddy has a 383 in his car and his will barely touch 180. I called Griffin up and they said the radiator is only rated to about 400 HP and I would have to step up to a 3 row. I talked to Be Cool and they said their radiator is rated to 1,000 HP and they guarantee it would work. My motor isn't that crazy, it's probably about 500-550 crank HP, but it's a lot of cubic inches to cool. I don't really know how they rate a radiator by HP, but if you do go with a Griffin just make sure you don't get the plain ol' universal one they sell, you may have to get a heavier duty one.

Ive actually heard of Be Cool's starting to leak but I forgot actually where. BUT, then again, I've seen cars running them with no problems. They're just a bit too pricey for me. I have an Afco aluminum for a sbc but have yet to put it in.

crazy camaro 496 what kind of fan set up did you use?Be cool claimed only up to 350 horse on the radiator and 700 with the use of their fan set up only. And unfortunately i have clearance issues in my nova between the radiator and waterpump pulley.

I have a Ron Davis radiator; cooled my 800hp 496" w/o any problems in the summer. It's a double pass with dual 1" cores I think and dual 12" fans w/ built-in shroud.

I can't see there being a huge difference between a Davis, BeCool, Griffin, whatever as long as they are the same size and cores, etc. Make sure you get a good shroud and fan setup to pull some air or even the best rad. won't cool that well.

I know my Griffin is rated to 1000HP. I can't imagine why a radiator swap, of equal size & capacity, would work with one and not with the other. Nothing magical in the BeCool, except their price - holy shit it's almost twice as much.

As for leaks, with aluminum heads and an aluminum radiator, I do like GM does with the Vettes - they factory add a pack of Aluma-Seal to the system before shipping, to seal any pinholes and prevent weepage.

Jim

if you do go with a Griffin just make sure you don't get the plain ol' universal one they sell, you may have to get a heavier duty one.

yeah I called summit to see what kind of alum. radiators they had for me - they quoted me a BeCool at like 599, I told them that was too pricey, then they told me 315 for a direct fit Griffin for my 81 camaro. Cool, right? Not so much....I had the radiator about 2 1/2 weeks before I put it in (waiting on my motor to be in place) and when I went to hook up my tranny cooler lines, they wouldn't fit (lines are 7/16", I need 5/16"). I called summit and told them I was supposed to have a direct fit Griffin - salesman told me "No, I'm showin you purchased a universal fit radiator". Hmmm - no wonder.....I thought it looked a little odd in there. I got some money back and as long as it works I don't give a flyin f@rk.

that is all.

crazy camaro 496 what kind of fan set up did you use?Be cool claimed only up to 350 horse on the radiator and 700 with the use of their fan set up only. And unfortunately i have clearance issues in my nova between the radiator and waterpump pulley.

I've got a Spal 16" puller fan. I would say it's no more than 1.5" thick. I love it, I can take a news paper and hold it in front of my car and it will suck the paper to the bumper cover when I let go. I don't have a shroud on it for now, but it still gets the job done without any problems.