Cooling System Inquiry
#1
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Location: Yokota US Air Base, Tokyo Japan
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Cooling System Inquiry
I have a 91 Z28 w/TPI 305 “STOCK”. Looking for a cooling system upgrade, radiator, fans, etc. Since I live in Tokyo, and completely dependent on online ordering, I need solid recommendations, tried and proven, as to avoid mis fitting parts, shopping and waiting. I’m third owner on this cherry Z, never broken into other than a R34 upgrade when 2nd owner brought her over to Japan (military). When the odometer stopped 3 yrs ago (hasn’t been a priority to fix), she had just shy of 38k. Temp runs at consistent 220, however past couple days started edging over but not in red, got to check secondary fan, primary kicks on and brings her back to 220, sitting static at idle. Anyone know the temps fans kick on?. Thanks for your time and appreciate the recommendations.
#2
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Car: 88GTA
Engine: 5.7TPI
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
You can use Rock Auto, Summit, Jegs for online purchasing, though some of you shipping will be high.
As far as your fans go, your secondary should come on with your AC. And when the temp reaches around 235ish, the secondary will kick on. Check your air dam under front. Debris between condenser and radiator also.
Sounds like your cooling system is in check. Maybe flush and change the TStat. 185-195*.
Good luck.
As far as your fans go, your secondary should come on with your AC. And when the temp reaches around 235ish, the secondary will kick on. Check your air dam under front. Debris between condenser and radiator also.
Sounds like your cooling system is in check. Maybe flush and change the TStat. 185-195*.
Good luck.
#3
Supreme Member
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
https://www.eastwood.com/triflow I use this works great .Made my own shroud and used stock single plus an aftermarket fan. Get the widest one for gm
Nice Z you got there!
Nice Z you got there!
Last edited by mmadden55; 08-30-2018 at 10:38 AM.
#4
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I agree with Bob and maybe get a 180 thermostat for it and get a coolant flush. Also check and clean out the debris in the AC condensor and radiator fins, as that causes issues. There may also be a build up of dirt and debris between them that is stopping the air from flowing through them and cooling it as well as it used to.
#5
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Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I'm using dual fans from a 4th gen F body. The fan motors themselves are the same part number as the thirdgen fans, but they're updated and they DO run faster. They are direct plug and play. The fan shroud is more of a tradition shroud, where as the thirdgen really isn't a shroud, but rather just a bracket, lol. It physically fits in the space we have, but it's not a direct bolt it. Took me about an hour with small hand saw.....trim and fit....trim and fit. It was pretty easy. Cooling was significantly improved.
#6
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
You can use Rock Auto, Summit, Jegs for online purchasing, though some of you shipping will be high.
As far as your fans go, your secondary should come on with your AC. And when the temp reaches around 235ish, the secondary will kick on. Check your air dam under front. Debris between condenser and radiator also.
Sounds like your cooling system is in check. Maybe flush and change the TStat. 185-195*.
Good luck.
As far as your fans go, your secondary should come on with your AC. And when the temp reaches around 235ish, the secondary will kick on. Check your air dam under front. Debris between condenser and radiator also.
Sounds like your cooling system is in check. Maybe flush and change the TStat. 185-195*.
Good luck.
#7
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
https://www.eastwood.com/triflow I use this works great .Made my own shroud and used stock single plus an aftermarket fan. Get the widest one for gm
Nice Z you got there!
Nice Z you got there!
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#8
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I agree with Bob and maybe get a 180 thermostat for it and get a coolant flush. Also check and clean out the debris in the AC condensor and radiator fins, as that causes issues. There may also be a build up of dirt and debris between them that is stopping the air from flowing through them and cooling it as well as it used to.
#9
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I'm using dual fans from a 4th gen F body. The fan motors themselves are the same part number as the thirdgen fans, but they're updated and they DO run faster. They are direct plug and play. The fan shroud is more of a tradition shroud, where as the thirdgen really isn't a shroud, but rather just a bracket, lol. It physically fits in the space we have, but it's not a direct bolt it. Took me about an hour with small hand saw.....trim and fit....trim and fit. It was pretty easy. Cooling was significantly improved.
#10
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
Has anyone used the lower temp fan switches? Recommended with the lower thermostat?
#11
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Re: Cooling System Inquiry
got any pics? Sounds like a sweet mod!
#12
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I've got a 160 fan switch and 160 thermostat and a 3 row aluminum radiator and stock dual fans and it barely ever gets about 140 unless i'm idling for a long time on a hot day in traffic, but as soon as i'm moving again it drops back down to the 2nd from bottom line and stays there. I also have an ADS Superchip in my ECM with those settings.
#13
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Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: MD8
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
If you plan or already have switched to A/C condenser to r134 then look for a condenser that is compatible with it. It is different design from our stock condenser designed for r12
Last edited by LiquidBlue; 08-31-2018 at 11:00 AM. Reason: condenser
#14
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
LiquidBlue,
What does the radiator have to do anything with the refrigerant in the AC system?? For R134a all you have to do is change some O-ring seals and the oil in your AC compressor and the high and low side ports for the gauges. The radiator has nothing to do with anything related to the AC system. The condensor in front of the radiator will work as is as well.
What does the radiator have to do anything with the refrigerant in the AC system?? For R134a all you have to do is change some O-ring seals and the oil in your AC compressor and the high and low side ports for the gauges. The radiator has nothing to do with anything related to the AC system. The condensor in front of the radiator will work as is as well.
#15
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Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: MD8
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
LiquidBlue,
What does the radiator have to do anything with the refrigerant in the AC system?? For R134a all you have to do is change some O-ring seals and the oil in your AC compressor and the high and low side ports for the gauges. The radiator has nothing to do with anything related to the AC system. The condensor in front of the radiator will work as is as well.
What does the radiator have to do anything with the refrigerant in the AC system?? For R134a all you have to do is change some O-ring seals and the oil in your AC compressor and the high and low side ports for the gauges. The radiator has nothing to do with anything related to the AC system. The condensor in front of the radiator will work as is as well.
:
#17
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
LOL. It's Friday! It happens! OK. I can agree with that. He's gone that far and already has the radiator out, it wouldn't hurt to replace that as well as long as he's going to retrofit the AC.
#18
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Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: MD8
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I'm a purist, and want to keep as much stock as possible or at least period correct. If radiator bad, first thing I'd do is look for a stock replacement, could be hard in Japan!
#19
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I've got a 160 fan switch and 160 thermostat and a 3 row aluminum radiator and stock dual fans and it barely ever gets about 140 unless i'm idling for a long time on a hot day in traffic, but as soon as i'm moving again it drops back down to the 2nd from bottom line and stays there. I also have an ADS Superchip in my ECM with those settings.
#20
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
Was converted to 134 before it came over here by the previous owner. Actually not even using the AC Sys right now...it hasn’t been serviced and alive got it disconnected, (installed but unplugged)
#21
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I bought my radiator on eBay and the only issue that I had with it was that I had to take the rubber mounts out for it because it was thicker than the stock 1. I found the email that came from eBay when I purchased it and they’re saying it’s out of stock, but maybe you can contact the seller to see if he has more?? Here’s the link to the part:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e1140...,ext=ext,bu=bu
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e1140...,ext=ext,bu=bu
#22
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Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto 4L60
Re: Cooling System Inquiry
I bought my radiator on eBay and the only issue that I had with it was that I had to take the rubber mounts out for it because it was thicker than the stock 1. I found the email that came from eBay when I purchased it and they’re saying it’s out of stock, but maybe you can contact the seller to see if he has more?? Here’s the link to the part:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e1140...,ext=ext,bu=bu
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e1140...,ext=ext,bu=bu
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