[72 Greenbrier]

What's everyone running for cooling systems on your LS conversions...???

I don't have a decent radiator for my 72 wagon/5.3L LS transplant.

I'm leaning towards springing for an aluminum rad and electric fan setup. I've read the "Electric fans/aluminum radiators/real lowdown" in the Heating and Cooling section...(that kinda' turned into a whizzing contest about options)...I want to hear from you actual LS users on what your cooling needs are, and how they were met.

I don't have the original fan off my 5.3...it, the radiator, and the shroud were missing. (I used the original setup from my 2000 6.0L into my 1986 C-30 swap and it cools great).

Hence my asking about what options you are running.

 

[usc2001gc]

I'm using a Summit Racing Aluminum Radiator 380457 and the Lincoln Mark VIII electric fan on my 71 LS2 swap. No problems cooling, but I know the Mark VIII fan pulls a lot of amps.

On my 70 project, I'm going to try to use the 5.3 mechanical Fan off of the Tahoe donor. Hopefully it will fit a factory shroud. If that doesn't work, I'm probably going with another Mark VIII fan.
For the Radiator, I'm going to try to keep the 3 core that's already in the car. If that has to be replaced, I'm looking at the Murray 433322 discussed in this thread http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455610

I plan to keep the 70 project as low buck as possible- possibly us an F-body pan and notch the frame, keep the low mount A/C (another frame notch), keep the truck intake, using '11 Camaro manifolds, modifying my own harness, doing my own ecm reprogram (I bought HP Tuners after my first install). Haven't decided how I'm going to handle the speedometer issue yet.

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

What's everyone running for cooling systems on your LS conversions...???

I don't have a decent radiator for my 72 wagon/5.3L LS transplant.

I'm leaning towards springing for an aluminum rad and electric fan setup. I've read the "Electric fans/aluminum radiators/real lowdown" in the Heating and Cooling section...(that kinda' turned into a whizzing contest about options)...I want to hear from you actual LS users on what your cooling needs are, and how they were met.

I don't have the original fan off my 5.3...it, the radiator, and the shroud were missing. (I used the original setup from my 2000 6.0L into my 1986 C-30 swap and it cools great).

Hence my asking about what options you are running.

I went balls deep in the LS platform for myself two years ago and they are definately a different way of making a pile of power for a whole lot less money than a SBC/BBC.

The strangest thing is temerature. My busted 6.0 and my 402 stroker both lost et and mph at cooler temps. From a cool down spell at the track because a Ford or Hinda couldn't contain itself to the odd times I trailered the car out.

Under 180 degrees the 6.0 bested 11.65 @ 117. At 230 degrees (put a 190 stat in) it consistently ran [email protected] 120. I killed it with kindness and nitrous oxide so I bailed and bought a buds bailed on 402 stroker shortblock for $3k and dang if it didn't run [email protected] 123 at 180 degrees versus [email protected] 128 at 220 degrees.

I ran no stats in both motors and couln't get temp, and you can see by my sig I like my BBCs. And with a BBC, at least in the last 20 years, the cooler you get them to run, the more balls they make. The LS platform seems to love an uncomfortable temp. I finally settled on a Delco 195 stat and I always shut the fans off before the burnout to get a few more degrees out.

Another silly observation. My big Block herd as a collective seems to gain 20-30 degrees during a pass, a few more if I am spraying it. The LS seem to wall around 235 if I can get it, but it never seems to go higher during a pass. If I am running cool and make a pass, I might get a 5 degree increase during a burnout, a nitrous pass, and the return road, although I lose a few tenths on my ET.

Something about the LS platform and super thick cylinder walls, combustion chambers and the camshafts I run seem to love coolant temps.

My cooling system on the car I am talking about, an alligator skinned interior 78 Malibu, is an eBay Champion 3 core (row), twin 2000 Camaro fans, wired to twin toggled Bosch relays with a single grounding at 240 degree grounding switch in the rear of the RH cylinder head.

My other Malibu, a 505 stroker powered is a different system all together. A Champion 3 core (row) with twim 14" Spal fans, a 16 pusher up front, all wired to toggles and relays. Couple that to no stat and a CVR electric water pump, all you do is shut the car off, turn on the cooling statem and in five minutes, you dsrop core temp by 50 degrees.

 

[Kingstir]

I'm using a PRC (aluminum) radiator with 2 16" fans that are controlled by the factory computer in my LS2 El Camino. It's a dual pass design that keeps both top and bottom hoses on the passenger side. There is also a threaded location to plumb in the steam line. No trans cooler as I am running a separate B&M trans cooler. Sat in a long line of traffic in the Texas heat a couple of weeks ago (Texas Dream Cruise) with the a/c on. Never got over 200 deg in 45 minutes at idle. I'm very happy with my choice.

 

[thunderstruck507]

I'm using a stock Chevelle 3 core radiator with Ford Windstar fans.

There are some off the shelf hoses which fit. Can't recall the part number for the lower but it was easy to match at the parts store. The upper is a hose for a late 70s Buick Rivierra with the 350 diesel engine because it has the correct bends and has the larger inlet and smaller outlet so it matches the radiator and the pump with no adapters required.

 

[Sinister]

I did the same thing as thunderstruck.

 

[Turbine]

I'm using a stock Chevelle 3 core radiator with Ford Windstar fans.

There are some off the shelf hoses which fit. Can't recall the part number for the lower but it was easy to match at the parts store. The upper is a hose for a late 70s Buick Rivierra with the 350 diesel engine because it has the correct bends and has the larger inlet and smaller outlet so it matches the radiator and the pump with no adapters required.

Kevin you have the LS1 pump right? short horizontal output that comes strait out from the front? how do you think that hose would fit on the taller angled Truck pump outlet?

 

[pist0lpete]

Stock 3 row for me as well. Using 1995ish Dodge Intrepid fans. I have 0 cooling issues even with 100 degree ambient temps. As a sidenote my steamline was only bled never hooked up. I recommend hooking it up if you have a good way to but it is not an overheating issue if you don't.

 

[thunderstruck507]

Yes I have the car pump. I always forget how different they are, I don't think the bends would work correctly for the truck pump.

 

[72 Greenbrier]

I'm using a PRC (aluminum) radiator with 2 16" fans that are controlled by the factory computer in my LS2 El Camino. It's a dual pass design that keeps both top and bottom hoses on the passenger side.

I like the idea of the dual pass...the truck pump out pump aims at the passenger side also...

I'm using a stock Chevelle 3 core radiator with Ford Windstar fans.

I like this option also...(helps me stay with my "budget" theme better).

Stock 3 row for me as well. Using 1995ish Dodge Intrepid fans.

The idea of using off the shelf "stock" application fans for price, convenience and parts availability on the road is also a plus.

Keep the ideas coming...

 

[Richard]

I bought a allumitec with electric fans for my 67 wagon used the original lower hose off the 2005 GTO and went to the parts house and found a top hose that would work. note you must have a steam port hose on the engine also temp ..... LS motors need to run hotter than the old engines ( 200 degrees is normal temp) hope this helps

 

[jwatts]

I am running the factory 2 row Chevelle radiator and dual electric fans on my LQ4. I have had no cooling issues with the engine itself. I ran into some issues with transmission temps, and put a cooler thermostat in for troubleshooting purposes. I was running the factory 190deg thermostat in the car, and even in the 90 degree heat it rarely kicked on the first fan at 195.

As far as the radiator hoses, I am running a factory truck upper hose spliced with my Chevelle upper hose with a Jags That Run adapter. I did that so I could tie my steam line into the upper hose. My lower hose is off of an 87 Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0L. It is the correct ID on both ends if you are running a factory radiator. The way it is bent you would think it was made just for this swap.

Here's the upper hose


And the lower:

 

[forcd ind]

I have used a couple AFCO A body/LS conversion radiators, nice pieces

 

[pnugene]

My brother's 65 Malibu, he bought a Spectra replacement aluminum radiator for a 99 Trans Am and scrounged the Trans Am electric fans from a local wrecking yard. This combo was originally designed to cool a 5.7 with A/C. He doesn't have it running yet, so no report on effectiveness, but the radiator fits the stock core support nicely with no cutting.

 

[72 Greenbrier]

For the Radiator, I'm going to try to keep the 3 core that's already in the car. If that has to be replaced, I'm looking at the Murray 433322 discussed in this thread.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455610


This was an interesting thread...My NAPA store lists the Murray 433322 (NAPA part# NR 2700) for $121.34...that's a crazy good price for a radiator if it actually cools as good as the guy says it does.

(That Wheaton cat really likes to hate on anyone that wants to use an aluminum rad and electric fans...)

I plan to keep the 70 project as low buck as possible- possibly us an F-body pan and notch the frame.

I used an F-body pan on mine with no frame notching or pan modification.

 

[ssal396]

I am in the process of putting an LS1 in a 72 Camaro, just picked up a new rad and fan setup out of a 2002 Camaro, drops right in and the LS hoses and tranny lines are a direct fit!!

Got it all for 250.00 too

 

[72 Greenbrier]

Well...pulled the trigger on this rad...

NAPA #NR2700...$121.34

Lower hose NAPA #7499...$16.21

Fits perfect...no mods to anything...100% bolt in...

 

[Turbine]

Is that the radiator that SWHeaton is suggesting? So there is a heater hose fitting on it, interesting. That was my concern, was not having anywere to run my steam line to.

 

[72 Greenbrier]

Chris...if you look close in my first photo you can see the heater hose fitting right below the rad cap. It comes with a rubber cap and hose clamp already on it.

I think it will make a perfect place for my steam line.


I got this Idea from a post by "70 nialator"...

As far as SWHeaton goes... I've never seem him suggest anything accept "copper brass" and "7-blade clutch fan"...

Copper brass replacement for my application was about $320.00

This rad cost $121.34

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

As far as SWHeaton goes... I've never seem him suggest anything accept "copper brass" and "7-blade clutch fan"...

Copper brass replacement for my application was about $320.00

This rad cost $121.34

Remember, Scot invented the cooling systen, the copy and paste, and the decimal point.

Anyway, what are you doing for an upper? I had a guy in my shop Friday that put an LS2 in his 96 ImpalaSS. He wanted to know which power steering pump pulley he needed to clear his box (I keep the PN in my PC),, and which upper hose I used on my Jeep and Malibu. I directed him to a very large Rubbermaid full of hoses and said "Bring back what you don't need.

I modified an 03 3500 Express upper on the Malibu, and a Honda Accord V6 lower for the lower on the Jeep Wrangler. Nessesity is the mother of rigging.