Summit radiators?

[CamaroJesse]

im thinking of running a Summit aluminum radiator because of the price. i cant afford a $500 radiator. are these summit ones any good? in the magazine they have a direct fit radiator and a race radiator that isnt direct fit. Im not sur what size id have to go with. ill be making 550 horse with a small block. im wondering if one of these raditators will work for me. if the direct fit works that would be nice.

thanks

jesse

[86Cutlass383SR]

I don't know off-hand who makes the "Summit" radiators but I know they don't make them their self. It's most generally another company who makes them for Summit. I've been thinking about using one to replace my 88 Camaro radiator that's in my Cutlass. Andrew just put up some pics of his Summit radiator and it looks nice. Convinced me.

[MarkM66]

They work fine. I've used the direct fit and the univesals.

[BigBlockOlds]

I don't know off-hand who makes the "Summit" radiators but I know they don't make them their self. It's most generally another company who makes them for Summit. I've been thinking about using one to replace my 88 Camaro radiator that's in my Cutlass. Andrew just put up some pics of his Summit radiator and it looks nice. Convinced me.

You'll have to possibly modify a few things with the universal radiator but its either that, a stock radiator or the Be Cool stuff.
The summit radiator at least has welded aluminum side tanks unlike the factory style aluminum radiators with plastic tanks. Heck, I think even the last copper/brass radiator I bought for mine came with plastic tanks. :(

[CamaroJesse]

Well what about the summit direct fit radiator? would that be fine with my 550 horse motor?

[carguy502]

I have had my universal Summit Rad in my DD car for 4 years and +/- 70000 miles. I only have a 300 horse small block and the rad has worked wonderfully for me. The quality is not that of a Ron Davis or Fluidyne Radiator, but has been durable enough for DD use. That said, when you spend the money to build a 550hp small block, it seems senseless to me to buy anything you have any doubts about. Better to do it once for a little more cash than twice waisting time and money.

[redhead]

I had heard that northern makes the summit radiators.
can't verify it though, for what its worth.

I ended up getting a new afco off ebay for around $300.

if you were going generic I'd personally take summit's over some
no-name of ebay.

[jackfrost]

Summit also has Griffin radiators that are pretty reasonable

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...040+115+400030

[bochnak]

I had heard that northern makes the summit radiators.

I've heard that as well. Not sure of the size difference between the maro and the a-body, but guys are cooling BBC's with them.

[BIGX69]

I had a direct fit in a 69 camaro with 435hp it worked fine...now i have the same set up with my ls2 direct fit with be cool fans...

[rlovell383]

I have a summit direct fit in my 67 camaro. It is in fact made by northern, and looks pretty decent quality. My engine dyno'ed 465 HP and it cools it with no issues. I'm sure it would be fine with your engine too. I say go for it, they are good values!

Randy

[another69]

2nd to Randy above. I also have a direct fit Summit for my first gen, and although the welds aren't very pretty, I'm very happy. Its affordable, cools great (fully shrouded elec. fan), and looks ok. I'd buy it again- just depends on your priorities. That being said, if you can afford it, a Davis or Afco is a very nice step up in quality.

[DaleLee]

Northern does in fact usually make them. I have sold a bunch of them to those who cannot afford more expensive radiators. I say usually because every once in a while the tanks are not stamped Northern and I am not sure who is making those.

All of them have worked perfect. I would not hesitate to use one.

[Taylor1969]

I have a summit direct fit in my 67 camaro. It is in fact made by northern, and looks pretty decent quality. My engine dyno'ed 465 HP and it cools it with no issues. I'm sure it would be fine with your engine too. I say go for it, they are good values!

Randy

I have one in my 69. They are made by Northern. Mine seems to support 400hp with no trouble. Fits like a glove too.

Works perfectly with my Mark VIII fan too... see the link below for installation pictures:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=34532

[ProTouring442]

I thought I would chime in here with a kudos to BeCool. We installed a BeCool radiator when we built my father's '56 Chevy. In the past 7 years the car has been on the road, the radiator, for whatever reason, has cracked and leaked. BeCool took care of the problem, twice, even though the radiator was most definitely out of their "warranty period." In both cases they simply had us send it is, and after they looked at it, they sent a new one.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[malibu9in]

Ron davis told me to eat dirt...i will be buying a be cool.

[slownova73]

i bought a direct fit for my nova from summit, its made by northern, no mods needed, been running it for 5 years so far

[rich_fbodySS]

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/51902/10002/-1

I bought this direct fit aluminum radiator from Jegs.
Bolted right in and looks great. $349
Also, made by Northern (says so right on it).
-Rich-

[MonzaRacer]

Also spend a little money and call Evans Cooling and step up to the NPG line of coolant, you wont even have to run a high pressure cap either,1-888-990-2665.