I need a new radiator. Any suggestions?

Kamaro Killer · 04-04-2002, 08:45 PM

I have a old rusted stock radiator on my 5.0 I just got the engine rebuilt so I figured I'd get a new radiator (the old one has about 120,000 on it) My car's pretty much stock, (for now at least

) but I'll build it up eventually to a 12 second car. Does anyone know where I could get a nice (somewhat inexpensive) radiator that I could use while my engine is stock, and still use after I do all my mods to it? Thanks!

Mr 5 0 · 04-04-2002, 09:10 PM

I have a Ford Racing/Motorsport 3-row brass radiator and it's great. Perfect fit with no 'alterations' and it cools great compared to the stock 2-row radiator. About $200.

The discount auto stores have them for less but I like the good fit and quality of the Ford piece.

I can't imagine that it wouldn't keep your engine cool, coupled with a good fan set-up when you add all the mods you plan.

Bad89stang · 04-04-2002, 11:37 PM

I just installed a Griffin aluminum radiator in my '89 and cools like crazy. I have an electric fan, but it never has to come on. It was $189 from Summit. 27"x19"

Coupe5oh · 04-04-2002, 11:48 PM

I got a pep boys radiatorm 100$ i think, but its bigger, and i had to modify the brackets a little, but it wa sno big hassle, and it cools good with my elec fan.

04-05-2002, 02:40 AM

Get the Griffin, thats what I have. If you need the stock numbers let me know and I'll see if I can find them. You will need special radiator hoses but you will never need another radiator. For $200 you will have a radiator that is as good as or better than the more expensive models($400+). My mechanic runs pro 5.0 and he runs the same griffin radiator I run($189).

Bad89stang · 04-05-2002, 03:21 AM

Here's the Summit part number if you need it. I used the stock hoses and they fit fine. Had to trim the lower one a little shorter. Radiator brackets fit fine.

GRI-1-26242-X
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=3340',650,505,'GRI126242X'

WADS56 · 04-05-2002, 04:05 AM

I have the Griffen in my 79, and the Auto Zone "max cooling" in my 93. The griffen is better but it is also more money. To be honest unless you want a nice looking aluminum radiator the autozone or pep boys one will be fine for your car. You get a warenty with autozone to.
Wade

drudis · 04-05-2002, 08:14 AM

Griffin install write-up:
http://www.dariusrudis.com/mustang/e...d_install.html

Kamaro Killer · 04-05-2002, 12:11 PM

Cool, thanks for all the suggestions! I think I may go with the Griffin as well. I don't have an electric fan yet, but hopefully the stock fan will cool it for now. If I go with the Griffin can I still buy the FMS radiator hoses?

1BAD89 · 04-06-2002, 02:06 AM

On my 89, I ran the Heavy Duty one from autozone. It's double the stock radiator width, and it cooled great. High quality also, $149. I also know of about 10 other people on this board running 12's with the exact same one. If I were buying one over again, and didn't have to have it the same day, I'd go with the Griffin, it just looks killer! But the autozone Heavy Duty will do a great job, it just won't look as good.

04-04-2002, 08:45 PM	#1
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	I need a new radiator. Any suggestions? I have a old rusted stock radiator on my 5.0 I just got the engine rebuilt so I figured I'd get a new radiator (the old one has about 120,000 on it) My car's pretty much stock, (for now at least ) but I'll build it up eventually to a 12 second car. Does anyone know where I could get a nice (somewhat inexpensive) radiator that I could use while my engine is stock, and still use after I do all my mods to it? Thanks!

04-04-2002, 09:10 PM	#2
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Cool I have a Ford Racing/Motorsport 3-row brass radiator and it's great. Perfect fit with no 'alterations' and it cools great compared to the stock 2-row radiator. About $200. The discount auto stores have them for less but I like the good fit and quality of the Ford piece. I can't imagine that it wouldn't keep your engine cool, coupled with a good fan set-up when you add all the mods you plan.

04-04-2002, 11:37 PM	#3
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	Radiator... I just installed a Griffin aluminum radiator in my '89 and cools like crazy. I have an electric fan, but it never has to come on. It was $189 from Summit. 27"x19" __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

04-04-2002, 11:48 PM	#4
Coupe5oh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 734	I got a pep boys radiatorm 100$ i think, but its bigger, and i had to modify the brackets a little, but it wa sno big hassle, and it cools good with my elec fan. __________________ Police package 5spd 90 Lx, Stock original motor, 3.27grs, BM fan, fms 10.5 clutch, D&D quadrant, and adjuster, ADS chip, 180 stat, mac cai, mac h-pipe, mac subframe connectors, ASP crank pulley, ripper shifter, 26x10.5 M/T sport pros welds. 246 hp according to analyzer Race weight: 3,120 E.t-13.57 with 26x10.50's e.t. streets. 1.88 60' mph- 99.92 mph

04-05-2002, 03:21 AM	#6
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	Griffin... Here's the Summit part number if you need it. I used the stock hoses and they fit fine. Had to trim the lower one a little shorter. Radiator brackets fit fine. GRI-1-26242-X http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=3340',650,505,'GRI126242X' __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

04-05-2002, 02:40 AM	#5
rbatson Guest Posts: n/a	Get the Griffin, thats what I have. If you need the stock numbers let me know and I'll see if I can find them. You will need special radiator hoses but you will never need another radiator. For $200 you will have a radiator that is as good as or better than the more expensive models($400+). My mechanic runs pro 5.0 and he runs the same griffin radiator I run($189).

04-05-2002, 04:05 AM	#7
WADS56 gear banger Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 1,144	I have the Griffen in my 79, and the Auto Zone "max cooling" in my 93. The griffen is better but it is also more money. To be honest unless you want a nice looking aluminum radiator the autozone or pep boys one will be fine for your car. You get a warenty with autozone to. Wade __________________ 79 Hatch: NA 347, Stage 2 Canfield Heads, Victor JR. Intake, Blueprinted Holley 750 HP, Solid Roller Cam, Shooting for 10's on motor 93 LX: Tremec, dual friction clutch, fms flywheel, Hedman shorties, O/R H-pipe Ricer hater's club member #49

04-05-2002, 08:14 AM	#8
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	Griffin install write-up: http://www.dariusrudis.com/mustang/e...d_install.html __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

04-05-2002, 12:11 PM	#9
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	Cool, thanks for all the suggestions! I think I may go with the Griffin as well. I don't have an electric fan yet, but hopefully the stock fan will cool it for now. If I go with the Griffin can I still buy the FMS radiator hoses?

04-06-2002, 02:06 AM	#10
1BAD89 Tubbed and Juiced Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,861	On my 89, I ran the Heavy Duty one from autozone. It's double the stock radiator width, and it cooled great. High quality also, $149. I also know of about 10 other people on this board running 12's with the exact same one. If I were buying one over again, and didn't have to have it the same day, I'd go with the Griffin, it just looks killer! But the autozone Heavy Duty will do a great job, it just won't look as good.

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