Replacement Radiator

**Mikepaul8** · 09-05-2014, 01:21 PM

Hello, I am in the market for a new radiator for my 2000 SS Camaro manual transmission. I have read allot of guys go with the LT1 radiator but has anyone had good (or bad) luck with something else? And has anyone heard or had any experience with the J2 racing radiator? There going for 185 new on eBay and they are all aluminum.

Thanks

**98TransAmWs-6** · 09-05-2014, 04:13 PM

First off as I can see it is one of your first few posts here so welcome to the forum. Before I make a suggestion I need to ask what do you use the car for and what are you looking for in the replacement? Such as a daily driver, track car, street and strip, etc. If it isn't raced at all there is definitely no reason to go with an aftermarket radiator unless you just really want to. If you do go with an aftermarket radiator I have heard really good things about the griffin and Becool radiators and they have direct fitment models. I personally haven't heard anything about the J2 racing radiator but I would be worried about fitment issues and would not buy them since they seem to be an eBay brand. From what I could tell after searching for that radiator on ebay they do not appear like they will work unless I missed one specifically made for our cars as they are missing ports that are present on our stock radiators. As far as the LT1 radiator goes I have not personally used one but everyone I know who has likes them.

**Mikepaul8** · 09-05-2014, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the reply. I am using the car for street/strip not a daily driver. I drag the car 5 or 6 times a year. I only put about 3000 miles a summer on it and store it November -March. I would like to start doing bolt on mods and get into 12's. The reason I am thinking about the J2 is because the plastic cracked on my current original radiator. The LT radiator is 200 new so I thought I would ask around about the all aluminum J2 because it goes for around the same price. I think the Be Cool is over kill.

**pajeff02** · 09-05-2014, 05:59 PM

Belated welcome, Mike!

Anything other than a stock replacement radiator may have fitment issues or some fabbing may be required. At least you do not have to concern yourself with trans cooler lines. I have not heard of the "J2". My experience with Be Cool was less than satisfactory for our Cutlass. I'd certainly not hesitate to try Griffin though as they are an established company.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 09-06-2014, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by Mikepaul8

Thanks for the reply. I am using the car for street/strip not a daily driver. I drag the car 5 or 6 times a year. I only put about 3000 miles a summer on it and store it November -March. I would like to start doing bolt on mods and get into 12's. The reason I am thinking about the J2 is because the plastic cracked on my current original radiator. The LT radiator is 200 new so I thought I would ask around about the all aluminum J2 because it goes for around the same price. I think the Be Cool is over kill.

I would stick with the LT1, stock replacement, or Griffin radiator (probably not necessary for your application though). I myself will be utilizing the stock or I may get a griffin radiator but my car is a max effort build with the mods which are listed in my signature. How many miles were on your radiator? The reason I ask is if it was say the original radiator depending on how well kept and where the car was stored the plastic van get very brittle over time and crack pretty easily. This may be the reason that it occurred on yours. Unless you want to mess around with fitting the J2 radiator I would recommend against getting it.

**Mikepaul8** · 09-06-2014, 02:07 PM

The radiator has 43K on it. It's the original. I am going to with the LT1. I will order it from direct from GM.

Thanks

**pajeff02** · 09-06-2014, 04:24 PM

Good luck with the swap. Let us know if you have any issues -- I am curious as to any differences there may be.

**jb3golf** · 09-18-2014, 09:25 PM

Hey...first off welcome to the site bud.....I wish i would have chimed in sooner....i recently purchased the J2 radiator and let me tell you this: it's a wonderful piece with high quality welds throughout its design. ..the fit is PERFECT...no adjustments or bending/fighting any fitment issues at all...I also used the J2 in conjunction with the be cool radiator fluid and my coolant has decreased about 10 degrees on average...it also looks awesome since it's polished! No way would I ever go OE again. ..just my .02 for anyone who wonders if this J2 is worth it....

**jb3golf** · 09-18-2014, 09:44 PM

I also used a polished hi performance PRW aluminum water pump...A very nice high quality piece
. ....i could tell an immediate difference in how quickly my water temps rebounded from sitting at idle via stop and go scenarios. ...J2 polished radiator + PRW polished hi-po pump + high performance silicone radiator tubing(red) equated to a nice esthetic increase along with "real world" performance gains in terms of average coolant temp decline (10 degrees or so) and decreased rebound temperatures via idle situations. ...best of both worlds imo...take care. .

**Mikepaul8** · 09-28-2014, 04:34 PM

Did the radiator swap today. I went with the LT1 radiator. Bought it new for GM Parts Direct. It cost me 221.00 with shipping. It took 11 days for the order to "process" and actually ship so it took 3 weeks to get. Install was pretty simply. It took about 2 and a half hours to install. I took photos to post in here. The only thing I did that I hadn't read on here was: there were 2 hooks on the bottom left of the LT radiator that weren't on my LS radiator. I don't know what they were for and it looked like a real tight fit so I cut them off. It didn't look like I could get the radiator in with the hooks without un-hooking the AC line and I wasn't willing to do that so off they came. Any one have any questions feel free to ask.

Won't let me upload mor than one photo so Ill hold off the the photos.

**Mikepaul8** · 09-28-2014, 05:18 PM

New radiator
image.jpg

New compared to old
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Hole to plug on lower left of radiator. Bought caps at advanced auto for 5 bucks.
image.jpg image.jpg

**Mikepaul8** · 09-28-2014, 05:21 PM

All done. Fits good. Got up to temp and held steady at 210 degrees all day.
image.jpg

Went with Dex-cool for the fluid.

Again any questions message me and I can send you a more detailed step by step email.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 09-30-2014, 07:34 AM

I'll have to look at this on my computer since I can't see the attachments on the app. FYI, uploading the photos to photo bucket or similar and pasting their image tag in the posts works best.