Project Bad Penny - more changes because done is boring

[steelerguy]

Hey Steve, how do you like that AutoRad radiator? Curious to hear about the fitment challenges. I am very close to ordering one but wanted to get the opinion of someone who has already installed one.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey Steve, how do you like that AutoRad radiator? Curious to hear about the fitment challenges. I am very close to ordering one but wanted to get the opinion of someone who has already installed one.

We really like it... there were a couple of issues that found. The nice part is that I spoke with the owner and he's making changes to future kits base on my suggestions. It's nice to see responses like this from companies.

Problem on was that the core support mount sat 3/4 or and inch too high. This means we needed a thicker spacer or a "stepped" mount. Future kits will have a way to step the mount. Not a big deal, but a PITA to fab on the spot.

Problem two was that on the LS style radiator the fill cap should be on the driver's side. In this configuration you would have a hard time running the car with the cap off (to fill, etc) since it would splash from the water pump inlet.

Like I said future ones will be changed. Other than that I love the kit. If you look at the earlier pics I posted you can really see how much bigger the opening is. When I mount my huge Setrab 925 cooler it's only going to shroud a small percent of the radiator and the increased cooling capacity should be really nice to have.

In my case we're going to move the cap ourselves. Here it is with thier optional core support closeout. I think it's pretty sweet looking, but I've gotten use to the DSE version, so we're going to fab it to work.

Also, the Autorad deal gives more clearance between the radiator fans and the water pump, so people would have an easier time with packaging an air induction system.

Here's a shot with their closeout...



Finalized the Oil Cooler system:

Canton high-flow t-stat
Setrab 925 oil cooler

Cooler is like this one:
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/part/1574/

The cooler will me mountd to bosses on the pass side of the radiator. The 10 AN lines will pass through the core support via bulkhead fitttings and go to the t-stat mounted to front side of the core support. All the lines on the front will be hard lines. This way the cooling system will be integral to the core support.

Also finalized the new engine:

440 cui LS engine
Darton MID sleeves in an LS2 block
Lunati Pro Crank = 4" stroke
4.185 Bore
Wiseco -8cc pistons
Compression should be 11.2:1 with 70 cc heads
K1 lightweght H-beam rods (6.125")
Canton oil pan

Either
235 Trick flow heads with Fast 92mm intake
or
Mast 12-degree Black Lable LS3 style heads with FAST 102mm intake

We're guessing 660 hp and right at 600 ft-lbs or torque.

[steelerguy]

We really like it... there were a couple of issues that found. The nice part is that I spoke with the owner and he's making changes to future kits base on my suggestions. It's nice to see responses like this from companies.

Problem on was that the core support mount sat 3/4 or and inch too high. This means we needed a thicker spacer or a "stepped" mount. Future kits will have a way to step the mount. Not a big deal, but a PITA to fab on the spot.

Problem two was that on the LS style radiator the fill cap should be on the driver's side. In this configuration you would have a hard time running the car with the cap off (to fill, etc) since it would splash from the water pump inlet.

Like I said future ones will be changed. Other than that I love the kit. If you look at the earlier pics I posted you can really see how much bigger the opening is. When I mount my huge Setrab 925 cooler it's only going to shroud a small percent of the radiator and the increased cooling capacity should be really nice to have.

In my case we're going to move the cap ourselves. Here it is with thier optional core support closeout. I think it's pretty sweet looking, but I've gotten use to the DSE version, so we're going to fab it to work.

Also, the Autorad deal gives more clearance between the radiator fans and the water pump, so people would have an easier time with packaging an air induction system.

Here's a shot with their closeout...



Finalized the Oil Cooler system:

Canton high-flow t-stat
Setrab 925 oil cooler

Cooler is like this one:
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/part/1574/

The cooler will me mountd to bosses on the pass side of the radiator. The 10 AN lines will pass through the core support via bulkhead fitttings and go to the t-stat mounted to front side of the core support. All the lines on the front will be hard lines. This way the cooling system will be integral to the core support.

Also finalized the new engine:

440 cui LS engine
Darton MID sleeves in an LS2 block
Lunati Pro Crank = 4" stroke
4.185 Bore
Wiseco -8cc pistons
Compression should be 11.2:1 with 70 cc heads
K1 lightweght H-beam rods (6.125")
Canton oil pan

Either
235 Trick flow heads with Fast 92mm intake
or
Mast 12-degree Black Lable LS3 style heads with FAST 102mm intake

We're guessing 660 hp and right at 600 ft-lbs or torque.

Thanks for the info. Going to talk with them again and place the order with those fixes in place. I really like that closeout, looks nice and clean.

Why not an LS7 block with the new motor and go with a 4.125" stroke to get a 441? Not that it is a better solution, just curious.

[Steve1968LS2]

Thanks for the info. Going to talk with them again and place the order with those fixes in place. I really like that closeout, looks nice and clean.

Why not an LS7 block with the new motor and go with a 4.125" stroke to get a 441? Not that it is a better solution, just curious.

A couple of reasons..

1. I would rather have a bigger bore and a shorter stroke.

2. I was already having pan clearance problems with the 4" stroke, the 4.125 stroke would have been even worse and might of necessitated doing some weird windage tray mods. (I HAVE to run the f-body style pan)

3. If I could have done a 4.125 stroke then I would have also done the 4.185 bore and had a 454. But, that extra wasn't worth the hassle of the longer stroke

4. LS7 blocks are expensive, then again so is the MID sleeve deal. BUT, the MID sleeve is much better than the sleeve installed by GM. It's rounder, stays round and gives much better ring seal. This stops pressure loss past the rings and gives better power output. Besides, it's fun to try new stuff.

[PhillipM]

A couple of reasons..

1. I would rather have a bigger bore and a shorter stroke.

2. I was already having pan clearance problems with the 4" stroke, the 4.125 stroke would have been even worse and might of necessitated doing some weird windage tray mods. (I HAVE to run the f-body style pan)

3. If I could have done a 4.125 stroke then I would have also done the 4.185 bore and had a 454. But, that extra wasn't worth the hassle of the longer stroke

4. LS7 blocks are expensive, then again so is the MID sleeve deal. BUT, the MID sleeve is much better than the sleeve installed by GM. It's rounder, stays round and gives much better ring seal. This stops pressure loss past the rings and gives better power output. Besides, it's fun to try new stuff.

Also, then he would have to change his name to Steve1968LS7, And thats just a lot of work.

[JohnC]

Also, then he would have to change his name to Steve1968LS7, And thats just a lot of work.

By that logic, he still needs to change it anyway to Steve1968LS3...

[JEFFTATE]

By that logic, he still needs to change it anyway to Steve1968LS3...

That will probably happen ...

[Steve1968LS2]

Also, then he would have to change his name to Steve1968LS7, And thats just a lot of work.

That's why we're sleeving an LS2 block.. so the name can stay the same. lol

[steelerguy]

We really like it... there were a couple of issues that found. The nice part is that I spoke with the owner and he's making changes to future kits base on my suggestions. It's nice to see responses like this from companies.

Problem on was that the core support mount sat 3/4 or and inch too high. This means we needed a thicker spacer or a "stepped" mount. Future kits will have a way to step the mount. Not a big deal, but a PITA to fab on the spot.

Problem two was that on the LS style radiator the fill cap should be on the driver's side. In this configuration you would have a hard time running the car with the cap off (to fill, etc) since it would splash from the water pump inlet.

Like I said future ones will be changed. Other than that I love the kit. If you look at the earlier pics I posted you can really see how much bigger the opening is. When I mount my huge Setrab 925 cooler it's only going to shroud a small percent of the radiator and the increased cooling capacity should be really nice to have.

In my case we're going to move the cap ourselves. Here it is with thier optional core support closeout. I think it's pretty sweet looking, but I've gotten use to the DSE version, so we're going to fab it to work.

Also, the Autorad deal gives more clearance between the radiator fans and the water pump, so people would have an easier time with packaging an air induction system.

Here's a shot with their closeout...

Thanks for the info! Placed my order last week for the support/radiator with fan, A/C condenser, trans cooler, and closeouts. They had already put the fixes in place.

[Steve1968LS2]

Thanks for the info! Placed my order last week for the support/radiator with fan, A/C condenser, trans cooler, and closeouts. They had already put the fixes in place.

Good deal.. that's the real benefit of doing these stories and it's great when companies listen to feedback from us editors.

When you do the install let me know if you have any questions on alignment.