1991+ Radiator choices

[phantomrt]

I hope this isn't a repetitive thread as I haven't done much manual searching of the forums, but I am wondering what people are using for full-size radiators in the 1991+ cars these days. There are a lot of cheap aftermarket aluminum bolt-in ones out there that work well enough and hold up reasonably well, but they are thin-core radiators and I am looking for maximum cooling power while doing the best I can to retain a reasonably stock-appearing engine bay.

One that is catching my eye is the Performance Radiator brand 1191 model:
https://shop.performanceradiator.com...roduct_id=3794

Aluminum construction, dual row & thickest core that I can find that is a bolt-in product. And with it, comes a hefty price tag. It also appears to have the factory-looking top plate unlike many aftermarket ones.

And I find it interesting that their application indicates that it fits ONLY 1991 Dodge Daytonas. Nothing else. That is a bunch of hogwash because other than minivans, the radiators are interchangeable on Chrysler's K-based passenger cars from 1991-1995.

I will also note that to make a long story short, I am chasing down a running-hot issue and one of my cars needs a new radiator anyway, so... like I said, long story. Just looking for really good cooling capabilities in a 1992 G-body.

[Dr. Johny Dodge]

180 is a good price for a complete replacement rad - but you did see that it has plastic tanks right ?

[NAJ]

Safe to assume you have added a FMIC???

Running hot can be caused by numerous issues.
How hot?
Cooling fans do not cycle on until 212 degrees on a 2.2L/2.5L.
You can verify actual engine temp by backprobing the CTS connector with a digital voltmeter and convert the voltage to temp.

VOLTAGE TO TEMP CHART



BACKPROBING THE CTS

[Lotashelbys]

What the OP is really looking for and so am I is a certain brand of 91+ radiator. We are looking for the one that has and aluminum center cestion with a core that is just over 1" wide and like he said has the factory looking top plate. It has plastic end tanks as all 91+ rads did. I have a few of these that I got out of Southern junkyards and we would like to know if anyone has one of these in their car and where you got it. I have found locally 2 other versions of this with the thin core and the top plate looks way different that a stock unit. Anyone have this radiator we are talking about????

[bamman]

I've done a bit of research on this before because I wanted to upgrade the radiator in my 91 Daytona that the previous owner replaced with a thin aftermarket one. It seems in 1991 the factory had two different types of radiators, one for N/A engines and one for the Turbo. In 1992 I think they superseded those two separate radiators for the dual core one that they would use until 1995 for both the four cylinders and V6 motors.

The only aftermarket dual core one that I have found is a Sherman 99050. Here is one for $90:

93 1993 Dodge Daytona APN Auto Body Parts Radiator RAD99050 for - Auto Parts Network

[phantomrt]

Granted, there may still be something wrong, but my goal in this thread is not to figure out what is wrong, but to find a specific radiator and see if anyone has experience in using them. I have some other ideas to try, but since I need a new radiator anyway, I figure why not check into this first. Okay, so my old radiator is shot? No, it is a "new" Modine unit allowing the engine to run hot and I have another car with no cooling issues that has a leaking radiator, but it is a J-body which has a significantly more airflow friendly front facia design.

So far, this is what I know:

Modine:
Factory look-alike/dimensionally identical, plastic end tanks, brass core. Using in my 1992 Daytona right now. I've used many in the past--no issues. Not sure if Modine is still manufacturing them anymore.

?????:
Factory look-alike/dimensionally identical. No Mopar sticker or castings that I can find without tearing it out. Plastic end tanks, brass core. Works well, but end tank gasket is leaking. Currently in my 1992 Lebaron.

Vista pro:
Aluminum core, plastic end tanks, no factory-looking top plate. 3/4" thick core. Installation leaves a significant gap between core and radiator fan shroud. But otherwise seems to work fine. A customer of mine has it in her 1991 Daytona. About $80 after shipping from Rock Auto. I see this DESIGN radiator all over the salvage yards.

Performance Radiator 1191:
Specs say 1.25" thick aluminum core, dual row Other dimensions the same. Not sure about the top plate as their pictures do not show it well. By far the most expensive one I can find.

[phantomrt]

That's good to know. Can you get any extra pictures of the Sherman radiator? And how well do you find that it works?

[bamman]

I actually never bought the Sherman radiator. I ended buying a FMIC and a Honda radiator that I have yet to install.

[Dr. Johny Dodge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantomrt Granted, there may still be something wrong, but my goal in this thread is not to figure out what is wrong, but to find a specific radiator and see if anyone has experience in using them. I have some other ideas to try, but since I need a new radiator anyway, I figure why not check into this first. Okay, so my old radiator is shot? No, it is a "new" Modine unit allowing the engine to run hot and I have another car with no cooling issues that has a leaking radiator, but it is a J-body which has a significantly more airflow friendly front facia design. So far, this is what I know: Modine: Factory look-alike/dimensionally identical, plastic end tanks, brass core. Using in my 1992 Daytona right now. I've used many in the past--no issues. Not sure if Modine is still manufacturing them anymore. ?????: Factory look-alike/dimensionally identical. No Mopar sticker or castings that I can find without tearing it out. Plastic end tanks, brass core. Works well, but end tank gasket is leaking. Currently in my 1992 Lebaron. Vista pro: Aluminum core, plastic end tanks, no factory-looking top plate. 3/4" thick core. Installation leaves a significant gap between core and radiator fan shroud. But otherwise seems to work fine. A customer of mine has it in her 1991 Daytona. About $80 after shipping from Rock Auto. I see this DESIGN radiator all over the salvage yards. Performance Radiator 1191: Specs say 1.25" thick aluminum core, dual row Other dimensions the same. Not sure about the top plate as their pictures do not show it well. By far the most expensive one I can find.

there should be a tag soldered right into the fin / tube stack on that modine rad - if you look up the number on it you should find out if / where you can get another

might be stamped into a tank but that's doubtfull - that could just be a tank part number

[phantomrt]

My Modine radiator has, as I remember, "MODINE" cast into the end tank. I haven't been out to look at it in a long time, and I've had a LOT of cars come and go from my garage over the years. I bought it brand new and in roughly 2006 and took it out of the cardboard MODINE box, complete with the instructions to not install the wrong bolts to mount the fans so that the end tanks aren't punctured / damaged.

I want to go with an aluminum radiator anyway--for reasons that is open to lot of debate

[phantomrt]

Nobody else has any radiator choice advice or experience with them?

[92TurboTona]

i too was gonna go with that style but since it has plastic tanks (no good) i just decided to go with a 3 core honda civic radiator with cooling fan and shroud

[bamman]

How about the original Mopar radiator?

They may still be available. Many of the online part websites still list them so they may not be NS1, or if they are, they haven't been discontinued for long.

Its part number 4401968 and lists for $189. Wholesalemopar.com lists it for $136.73. The only problem is I'm assuming this is a dual core radiator. I never had the original radiator in my car when I purchased it so I can't double check for you.

[92TurboTona]

i believe my daytona rad is a dual core as its a stock tbi for now and it was replaced about 10 years ago and i know for sure its not that puny 1/2'' single core

i will have to measure it when i get a chance, and i think i got from advance auto parts

[phantomrt]

I have an original Mopar one in my 1991 Daytona. It is the original from my 1992. It nearly identical to the Modine unit. The only problem with it is the core has been eaten away by the years/miles/salt. I never recall seeing an aftermarket one WITHOUT the transmission cooler in it like the Mopar ones.