Looking for information comparing 4 different aluminum radiators for cooling of a street/strip car, 355 in., 4 speed trans., 10.63:1, non-filled iron block, iron Sportsman II heads, solid flat-tappet cam with 0.533”/0.544”, 280ish dur., crank trigger with locked out timing, 4.88 gear, stock-capacity iron mechanical water pump. The car is only driven around town and never on the highway.



I need a radiator for this car and have been considering the following:



Jegs Universal (2) 1” tubes

Summit Universal, (2) 1” tubes

Griffin Universal, (2) 1” tubes

Griffin Universal, (2) 1.25” tubes



I’ll use either a 160* or 170* thermostat, and have the option of using an electric water pump. I used to use a stock radiator with a 180* thermostat, and a single puller fan from a Cavalier with its own integral shroud, which did a decent job and keeping the motor cool. It would be approximately 185* when staging and climb to 205-210* through the traps. Around town, it would stay between 180*-185* all the time. I am considering adding another small pusher fan, or ditching the Cavalier fan and trying to find two smaller pullers, hopefully with their own shrouds.



Questions:



Is one brand of radiator better than the others?

Is the extra $100 expense of the 1.25” tubes worth it?

Has anyone compared the 1.00” tubes and 1.25” tubes back to back?

What difference in capacity or temperature did you see?

Would one puller and one pusher, or two pullers be better?

Would switching to an electric water pump be effective from a cooling standpoint rather than a horsepower standpoint?

I'm looking to go overkill with the cooling system

 

If you want overkill, do what I did. Go with a dual pass C&R, RCR series water pump, direct-to-head cooling, 4-corner intake cooling, -AN lines all around. Then again, I could buy 3 of those radiators for the price of a C&R...

Not really. Only main different would be epoxy or welded joints at the fins and end tanks. Don't know what company does what.

Depends on how you justify it. It's not my money, spend whatever you want. You won't use up any of those radiators.

Not me. Don't have the time nor the willingness.

use a puller design. A good pulling design. Don't waste your time tricking yourself into thinking a push and pull will be better because it's not.

Don't know. I have a mech. pump and have no intentions of ever switching.