I know this has been asked before and many have already been down this road, BUT I am looking to get an AL radiator. I see some that are $600 custom fit or some for $200 that are universal fit. I don't need a custom fit as I can mod anything necessary to make a universal one fit. WHat I am more concerned about is the quality and cooling effects of them. I am looking at a BeCool universal fit from Summit. Is a one row AL good or should I look for one with two rows? Is there a huge difference either way in cooling? Crossflow or Downflow? I am planning about 450hp-500hp and mostly street driving.

Maybe something like this, single row:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...p;autoview=sku

Then there is a Griffin one that offers two rows:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...p;autoview=sku

I am skeptical about some that are non-brand names, not usually but I am with this for some reason. I don't want a pos radiator that leaves me overheating!

 

I use the no-name radiators from Summit and mod them to fit (actually I think they are made from one of the big name outfits). Fan clearence and shroud are critical. I have a 425HP Boss R302 that runs a 13.5 to 1 and the Summit brand keeps it cool. I did have to add "Water wetter" and sit the radiator back closer to the blades but I have no heating issues on the track (no shroud even). Always I have thought the custom fit jobs were very overpriced. Make sure the outlets are correct and use the larger core size. The caps can extend beyond the opening in the support exposing more finned area to air.

 

Bump this bad boy

 

I got one of the ones made by Summit. I was having problems with my 3 row so I decided to replace it with the aluminum 2 row. I couldn't have made a better choice. I think I spent like $200 or so, but it was well worth it. It gets REALLY hot here in FL and I don't ever worry about the car overheating anymore. By the way, it's a 65 coupe with a 289/C4. Good luck, and don't worry about going with an off brand! Save some money for other parts!

 

Funny you bring this up, I pretty much have the exact same question. I really don't want to drop $600 on a becool when a no name al will work just as well.

 

So you went with a 2 row, crossflow AL and have had no issues? That is good news. I am wondering about the inlet and outlet. I plan on putting in a 351 stroked to a 408 so are the inlet and outlet ports the same on a typical 351w? The reason I need the radiator now is to mod the rad support to fit the rad in now to finish paint, etc. I believe for the 289 the ports are both on the passenger side. I think for the 351w they are on opposite sides??

 

I'm running an AFCO universal aluminum and I love it. I've had it about 4 years and I'm very happy with the quality and performance

http://www.midnightdsigns.com/Mustan...r_install.html

 

It seems most of them except the one row use the exact same fin and tube, the end caps do vary. Don't AFCO makethe Summit radiators? I have several AFCO units in use and no problems.

 

Does anyone make an upgraded aluminum radiator that is down flow and can be painted to look right in an mostly stock car? IE have cooling better than the 4 row copper/brass job I have now and look the part too? Or am I asking too much?

 

The inlet/outlet are both on the passenger side for the 289. I'm not sure how they are setup on the 351. Look at Summit. They have some really good radiators at really good prices. Will this one work for you? http://store.summitracing.com/partde...p;autoview=sku
Good luck!