I've done some research to come up with a simple scheme to rank or rate the numerous radiators. This is a simple, first order, tube-capacity type approach and doesn't consider all the variables (like fin heighth, etc.), but I think it'll get pretty close. One major contributor to cooling efficiency is tube capacity (up to some limit where stacking tubes on top of each other would result in little or no air flow) ignoring other airflow issues like a thick core and high fin count which lead to aerodynamic drag and drive up fan cfm requirements. Heat transfer characteristics of the specific materials were also not considered, as were issues with solder, epoxy, etc. My simple yardstick (index) is simply the total number of tubes, times tube depth (front-to-rear), times a flat/tube factor. This factor (FTR) penalizes smaller (say 3/8") tubes and favors larger (say 1.25") tubes, simply because in a smaller tube, there is less flat area to bond to the fins as opposed to a larger tube where there is more flat area and less area having no useable bonding area due to the ends being curved. In other words, there is more useable flat area on a single 1" tube than there is on two 1/2" tubes. It is calculated by dividing the total flat length by the total tube length. That being said here is my table, ranked by index:
type # tubes tube length" tube-ins FTR index
Griffin 82 1.25 AL 102.5 .95 97.4 $295 univ. summitracing.com
Rac-rad.com 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $170 univ. race-pro ebay, racing-radiators.com
Summit 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $180 univ. summitracing.com
RonDavis 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $219 univ. rondavisradiators.com
RodneyRed 86 1.0 AL 86 .94 80.8 $435 cust. rodneyred.com
AFCO 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $170 univ. ebay
Howe 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $200 univ. summitracing.com
Radac 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $280 univ. www.radac.com
Rac-rad.com 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $280 cust. all-pro ebay, racing-radiators.com
BeCool 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $290 univ. summitracing.com
PRC 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $325 cust. streetrodstuff.com
Griffin 82 1.0 AL 82 .94 77.1 $190 univ. summitracing.com
CAS 80 1.0 AL 80 .94 75.2 $550 cust. chargedair.com
GDI3VX 135 5/8 CB 84.4 .9 75.9 $300 recore only
5HER 225 3/8 CB 84.4 .83 70.0 $350 recore only
5STD 150 1/2 CB 75 .87 65.3 $400 recore only
4HER 180 3/8 CB 67.5 .83 56.0 $300 3R11460, recore only
4STD 120 1/2 CB 60 .87 52.2 1R858
AC20571 39 1-3/8 AL 53.6 .96 51.5 $164 1R2397, 1R953 carparts.com
3HER 135 3/8 CB 50.6 .83 42.0 1R2311
3STD 90 1/2 CB 45 .87 39.1 $137 1R2511 carparts.com
2X2k 90 1/2 CB 45 .87 39.1 1R841
In most cases tranny coolers were not included, and in all cases, both trans and engine oil coolers were not available unless special ordered (more $). Prices quoted are those found with the only consideration given to lowest $ amount.
Notes:
2X2K is the Modine 2-row X2000 core, 1/2" tubes on 3/8" centers. Available as a complete radiator only, Modine 1R841, 2044, 2140, 2141 CB.
3STD is the 3-row standard core (GM, Harrison, Modine, etc.), 1/2" tubes on 9/16" centers (vertically), 30 rows of tubes in a 16-7/8" tall core, 3 tubes per row, Modine 1R2511, GDI 43-3162 copper-brass (CB).
3HER is the 3-row GM High-Efficiency "HE" (or Modine "H", or GDI "VE") core, 3/8" tubes on 1/2" centers, 45 rows, 3 tubes/row, CB.
AC20571 is the AC-Delco 20571 (Transport, Silhouette, Lumina) aluminum (AL) radiator, 1-3/8" tubes, 1 tube/row, also Modine 1R2397, 1R953. GDI 432397. Same as F-body except don't get the Modine 1R951, only 1-1/8" tubes.
4STD is the standard 4-row, 1/2" tubes on 9/16" centers, 30 rows, 4 tubes/row, CB, like the Modine 1R858 or GDI 43-3858.
4HER is the 4-row GM HE core, CB, available as a recore only.
5STD is the standard 5-row.
5HER is the 5-row GM HE (or GDI "VE") core, CB, recore only.
GDI3VX is the 3-row, big-tube CB Go-Dan "VX" core, 5/8" tubes on 3/8" centers, 3 tubes/row. Also Radac "D" core, also (I think) Micale's and Holm's core.
Griffin is either 1" or 1.25" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.
PRC is the streetrodstuff AL rad, 1" tubes on 1/2" centers, 2 tubes/row, AL.
Howe is a AL 1" tube core, 2 tubes/row.
Be-Cool is 1" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.
RodneyRed is 1" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.
RonDavis is 1" tubes, 2 tubes/row, AL.
Racing-radiators race-pro and Northern are the same.
Issues:
It's interesting to note that the highest indexed CB unit is the big-tube 3-row GDI3VX.
If anyone feels this data may be in error, please feel free to offer corrections, suggestions, comments, flames, etc.
I can a three row replacement from Autozone or Advance Auto Parts for about $140, but the local radiator shop told me today those are probably junk made in Brazil or India. They have smaller rounder tubes which aren't as good as the bigger flatter tubes he uses to recore. He quotes me a price of $160. I then look down in my radiator and point out how it has the smaller rounder tubes. He scratches his head and asked me if this was the original for my car, which I think it was because it has the tag near the bottom.
So what's your opinions? Are the aftermarket rads OK or should I spend a little more and get a recore with bigger tubes?
Go visit
Nick McCale or call Holms Radiator. I wouldn't mess around with local guys.
Bigger tubes are not always better. The fin is the part of the radiator that pulls heat from the tube. Taller tubes mean shorter fins. The most efficient fin size height is approximately .375” which most aftermarket radiators have. If you are trying to save money the copper/bronze radiator is your best bet…but if you have a front mount and need the car to stay cool I would suggest an aluminum radiator. They are a bit more $$$$…$500.00.
P.S.- Stay away from those 4 or 5 row radiators. Your stocker works better. I hope this helps.
Nick McCale is the man.
Don't forget the dual fans from Ramchargers.
I got a recore from a LOCAL guy and am very happy. There was 2 options of cores the stock and a better "j type", I believe. I got the better one. The Advance and autozone ones are both wrong. I had both and took them both back. The Dealership wanted 450+ for it. Aluminum was that or more. Get the recore, just make sure that they are going to flush and pressure test everything.