Griffin Radiators

[Shawn]

With the 454 swap I need to look very closely at starying cool in the Cruiser. I'm looking at the griffin radiator with a universal fit. Has anyone ran these radiators and what is you opinon on them? The universal fit does not come with mounting tabs so I will need to find someone that can weld some on for me.

Input?

 

[Caleb]

Of all the universal fit aluminum radiators I have seen (Griffin, Howe, Speedway, etc) the Speedway ones are by far the nicest. As a bonus they are also the cheapest. Also, rather than welding on tabs I would just build a clamp setup. I welded on tabs on my griffin and did the clamps on my speedway and I liked the clamp setup better.

here is a link to them.

 

[Shawn]

Of all the universal fit aluminum radiators I have seen (Griffin, Howe, Speedway, etc) the Speedway ones are by far the nicest. As a bonus they are also the cheapest. Also, rather than welding on tabs I would just build a clamp setup. I welded on tabs on my griffin and did the clamps on my speedway and I liked the clamp setup better.

here is a link to them.

Thanks for the link. I guess the question is, is the 1.25 " tube worth the extra $90.00.

This is the one I have been looking at.
http://store.griffinrad.com/detail.asp?product_id=1-55222-X

 

[Caleb]

Thanks for the link. I guess the question is, is the 1.25 " tube worth the extra $90.00.

This is the one I have been looking at.
http://store.griffinrad.com/detail.asp?product_id=1-55222-X

IMO, the extra .25" isn;t worht the extra cash, especially considering the overall construction of the Speedway's is much nicer.

 

[Col Mustard]

The Griffin is a nice radiator. In my opinion, if you want the best of the best, have Ron Davis build you one. Mine just came ups friday and it's a work of art. www.rondavisradiators.com

 

[Shawn]

The Griffin is a nice radiator. In my opinion, if you want the best of the best, have Ron Davis build you one. Mine just came ups friday and it's a work of art. www.rondavisradiators.com

Nice bling, but how bad did that hurt your pocket?

 

[Caleb]

Nice bling, but how bad did that hurt your pocket?

when I looked into them they were as much as the BeCools from AA. They are nice though...

 

[EZRhino]

Shawn,

Rather than paying an extra $90 for 1/4", I would make sure to get the biggest radiator that you can possibly fit in it, even if it means clearancing some of the crap on the backside of your grill to make it work. Also, build a nice tight fan shroud and make sure you have a good fan (no electrics).

EZ

 

[I Lean]

Shawn,

Rather than paying an extra $90 for 1/4", I would make sure to get the biggest radiator that you can possibly fit in it, even if it means clearancing some of the crap on the backside of your grill to make it work. Also, build a nice tight fan shroud and make sure you have a good fan (no electrics).

EZ

....or a GOOD electric. I can't count how many people (EZ included) who spent tons of money on a "high flow" electric fan, only to be disappointed.

 

[Shawn]

Shawn,

Rather than paying an extra $90 for 1/4", I would make sure to get the biggest radiator that you can possibly fit in it, even if it means clearancing some of the crap on the backside of your grill to make it work. Also, build a nice tight fan shroud and make sure you have a good fan (no electrics).

EZ

I'm planning on that. Problem is the 454 had a radiator that was 34"x22"x3"... that just aint guna fit. The 454 is a hot running motor to start with... The biggest I can go in the Cruiser is 26"x19" I have cut the front of the grill to allow for the 16" pusher and have been looking at the taurus fan, but I don't think I'll have room for that.

I keep going back and forth with this project because of my steering. I have to out board the box and I just don't like it. Don't get me wrong, it will work just fine, I just don't like the looks of it.

ohhh mumm... :-\

 

[Shawn]

....or a GOOD electric. I can't count how many people (EZ included) who spent tons of money on a "high flow" electric fan, only to be disappointed.

ok, what is a GOOD Electric? I run a Perma Cool and it Rocks for the 350. I have been reading quite a bit about the Mark V111 and it sounds cool.

 

[Caleb]

Problem is the 454 had a radiator that was 34"x22"x3"...
ohhh mumm... :-\

but that 34x22 was a copepr core right? the aluminum core radiators are TONS more efficient than the copper core ones.


As for a good high flow fan, I have yet to see a setup a Taurus fan couldn't cool. I believe the Taurus fan is the same as that Mark V fan you are referring to.

 

[Shawn]

but that 34x22 was a copepr core right? the aluminum core radiators are TONS more efficient than the copper core ones.


As for a good high flow fan, I have yet to see a setup a Taurus fan couldn't cool. I believe the Taurus fan is the same as that Mark V fan you are referring to.

That is why I kinda feel ok about going to a smaller sized rad. The Mark 8 is suppose to have a few more CFM's.... Now, trying to find one in the wrecking yard...

 

[RockMonkey]

I'm running a Griffin AL radiator, and a Taurus fan. The combo works great. I used a clamp style mount, rather than having someone weld on tabs for me.

 

[Col Mustard]

Nice bling, but how bad did that hurt your pocket?

For what you get, they are priced very well. The radiator alone priced about the same as the NOVAK off the shelf units. The difference being that they are custom made to your needs and the quality is awesome.

 

[I Lean]

ok, what is a GOOD Electric? I run a Perma Cool and it Rocks for the 350. I have been reading quite a bit about the Mark V111 and it sounds cool.

The Mark VIII/Continental fan is basically similar to the Taurus fan, but larger. That's what I have on my rig right now, simply because it fit my monstrous radiator better than the smaller Taurus fan did.

 

[EZRhino]

I don't think there is an electric in existence that will move the air that at enigine driven fan will move (considering rpm's, etc.) You won't notice the power gain by having an electric fan anyways.

It's all trial and error. You'll probly be fine most of the time, but those hot 105 degree July days may be problematic. Let us know what you decide on.

EZ

 

[RockMonkey]

I don't think there is an electric in existence that will move the air that at enigine driven fan will move (considering rpm's, etc.) You won't notice the power gain by having an electric fan anyways.

It's all trial and error. You'll probly be fine most of the time, but those hot 105 degree July days may be problematic. Let us know what you decide on.

EZ

FWIW, I had overheating problems last year with my stock radiator, shroud, and engine-driven fan. This your with my Griffin Radiator and Taurus electric fan, I've not had even a hint of heating problems, even in 117 degree heat in Phoenix. The thing about electric fans is, they don't depend on engine RPM. An engine driven fan may move as much or more air at cruising speeds as an electric fan, but at idle they move much less. Whilst rockcrawling, we tend to spend a great deal of time at or near idle. No problem with an electric fan, but with a clutch fan, idle + crawling spped + high ambient temps = overheating.

 

[Shawn]

FWIW, I had overheating problems last year with my stock radiator, shroud, and engine-driven fan. This your with my Griffin Radiator and Taurus electric fan, I've not had even a hint of heating problems, even in 117 degree heat in Phoenix. The thing about electric fans is, they don't depend on engine RPM. An engine driven fan may move as much or more air at cruising speeds as an electric fan, but at idle they move much less. Whilst rockcrawling, we tend to spend a great deal of time at or near idle. No problem with an electric fan, but with a clutch fan, idle + crawling spped + high ambient temps = overheating.

This is the main reason why I have been look at an electric.

 

[Shawn]

For what you get, they are priced very well. The radiator alone priced about the same as the NOVAK off the shelf units. The difference being that they are custom made to your needs and the quality is awesome.

I will be calling them in the morning to see how much they can set me back. I will be looking at the combo with the fan shroud and electric fan. After doing some research, this set up seems to do well.
The worst thing with my application is the big block. I Must have cooling over kill. The amount of heat that this motor will produce while crawling is a fight I need to conquer before it gets under way.