Gfaules Posted October 28, 2006 Posted October 28, 2006 I am building a 1965 Mustang with 302 to race in the La Carrera Panamericana in Mexico. Due to the race being run at high altitude cars tend to overheat thus I am advised not to come without an aluminum radiator and even more important than typical road racing conditions. The price for aluminum radiators are all over the scale from $300 to 1200. I want to know if anyone has had good results with any lower priced aluminum radiators and if so what brand were they. Also, did you use aluminum shrouds and electric fans? Quote
74 mach Posted October 28, 2006 Posted October 28, 2006 I have been running a 19x28 griffen rad in my 65 AIV/AIX mustang for 10 years. I use an Allstar shroud (lane automotive ), and a Flex a Lite, flex fan. This rad is able to cool 400-600 hp no problem.It is one of the $200, circle track rads. The biggest differences in cost is you have to fab up the mounts. I am not an advocate of electric fans. Quote
Members Jim P. Posted October 29, 2006 Members Posted October 29, 2006 I'm with Paul on this one, most circle track rads will work fine - that's what I use. Quote
marshallmosty Posted October 31, 2006 Posted October 31, 2006 $179 Summit Racing radiator. 2 core aluminum. Easy to replace, if need be. They have them in two core sizes that will fit a Mustang (FOX at least) Quote
Frank Corkran Posted October 31, 2006 Posted October 31, 2006 $179 Summit Racing radiator. 2 core aluminum. Easy to replace, if need be. They have them in two core sizes that will fit a Mustang (FOX at least) They also have them in sizes that can be fit into a '65, see NASA-MA AI #70. Never over 200 degrees (usually less) on the hottest of days (VIR in July). Electric fan is a Black Magic (because it was available), includes it's own shroud. Only needed when stopped. A mechanical flex fan would be even more effective and certainly more reliable for your application. Quote
Gfaules Posted November 1, 2006 Author Posted November 1, 2006 "A mechanical flex fan would be even more effective and certainly more reliable for your application." This is what I thought also but advice from the pros that have run this race disagree. The biggest heating problems arise when they are staging in waiting lines and have to keep creeping forward in a line of cars as each car is sent out exactly in 30 second intervals. Based on a lot of information I have been getting I believe I am going to pass on the $1000 radiators and simply go with one from Summit and an electric motor with fan shroud. Quote
Grizlbits Posted November 1, 2006 Posted November 1, 2006 I run a $180, 19 x 31 inch Griffen & a flex fan also. The flex fan moves a LOT of air. My car never goes over 190 on temp with 550 hp at the wheels. The nice thing is, if some throws a stone and wrecks the radiator, you can put in the spare from the money you saved from buying the $1000 one. Admitt it guys- how many of you have forgotten to turn on your electric fan and over cooked your water temp. I have seen at least 3 people overheat with electic fans. That always leaves a risk of wrecking head gaskets or worse. Quote
Members Jim P. Posted November 1, 2006 Members Posted November 1, 2006 You guys are running FANS?!?!?! I have run my cars for years w/o any fan, but you truly have to watch idling and/or water temps when entering/exiting the track... my car normally runs 180*-190* unless I get stuck in line getting off track - then I usually pull off to the side of the grid and wait for the traffic to clear. Quote
Jeff F Posted November 2, 2006 Posted November 2, 2006 Admitt it guys- how many of you have forgotten to turn on your electric fan and over cooked your water temp. I have seen at least 3 people overheat with electic fans. That always leaves a risk of wrecking head gaskets or worse.That's why mine is on a thermostat. No user input needed. For an application like this, I'd look at an OE electric fan, maybe something from a late model Mustang or another V8 car. The OE stuff tends to be sized for high temps, idling, A/C, etc., and they have good shrouds, good blade design, and move tons of air. I use a cheap-o hayden electric on mine; it works fine for a road-race car (just keeping it cool when sitting on grid or moving through the pits/impound/scales, etc.), but back when it was a street car it couldn't keep up with extensive idling on hot days. Quote
Gfaules Posted November 2, 2006 Author Posted November 2, 2006 Typically I never run a fan either including many races won at Thunderhill in extremely hot weather including many endurance races as well. But like I said, in this race there are staging areas where you are idling for LONG periods of time and some sort of fan is required. It seems a shame to spend so much time and energy to get the maximum horsepower you can get from an engine and then install a fan. That's like setting the e-brake while driving around. I have been told one of the best kept secrets to a good fan is a stock rad fan off late model Taures and use a thermostatically controlled switch. It's like anything else... if it's done properly you won't have problems and part of the key is simplicity. Quote
Adam Ginsberg Posted November 6, 2006 Posted November 6, 2006 I run a $180, 19 x 31 inch Griffen & a flex fan also. The flex fan moves a LOT of air. Same radiator in my CMC car, coupled with a dual Flex-a-lite fan ( it was in the car when I bought it ): Admitt it guys- how many of you have forgotten to turn on your electric fan and over cooked your water temp. I have seen at least 3 people overheat with electic fans. That always leaves a risk of wrecking head gaskets or worse. Not once. It's part of a pre-race ritual - window net, helmet, HANS, belts, gloves, ignition, master switch, fuel pump, fans, radio, cool-suit ( if hooked up )....1st gear. Quote
Gfaules Posted November 15, 2006 Author Posted November 15, 2006 Quote: Admitt it guys- how many of you have forgotten to turn on your electric fan and over cooked your water temp. I have seen at least 3 people overheat with electic fans. That always leaves a risk of wrecking head gaskets or worse. Whats wrong with a thermal switch or even hard wiring the fans? Quote
Members Patrick W. Posted January 13, 2007 Members Posted January 13, 2007 I run an OE fan out of a 96-98 Lincoln Mark8. It's an animal, and I run it hard wired. That way it can't be forgotten. Quote
99cobra2881 Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 Kinda late but I just got this radiator for the '00 GT. LFP 03/04 Cobra Comp. Race Radiator Quote
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