Stock radiator rule?

97crewcab

97crewcab

Wrong.
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
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I am wondering why many of the rules used state, "the radiator must be of at least stock size". Is there that big of an advantage to running an aftermarket or aluminum radiator that it needs to be dictated in the rules?

Asking mostly about 2.8 class, since 2.6 could be considered a "street truck" class.

I run an aluminum radiator if that matters.
 
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I suppose it is open to interpretation.
If I convert an F250 to a cummins and the F250 had a v8 gas motor as a stock motor, can a guy run a radiator that is the stock size as the v8 had from the factory? (BTW I have no idea how big a radiator is from a ford V8, just an example)
 
I take it no one cares or no one runs an aftermarket aluminum radiator in 2.8?
 
It dont matter, you could run one out of a mini cooper if it would do what you needied it to do. The big hogan intercooler from haisley requires a narrower radiator to fit between the big 4 in tubes. No body says anything about that so im sure your okay.
 
IMO, I think the biggest part of this rule is not that you HAVE to run a stock rad to be considered a 'Street Truck" or what not, its to prevent people from running Filled, or partially filled blocks. I think it would be quite hard to run a partially filled block with a super small or no radiator at all.

That being said, I dont see how a tech could see an alluminum radiator, sitting in the stock location, being cheating or bending the rules too much. But it wouldnt suprize me if they started asking about filling the block......
 
Bosshawg600 said:
IMO, I think the biggest part of this rule is not that you HAVE to run a stock rad to be considered a 'Street Truck" or what not, its to prevent people from running Filled, or partially filled blocks. I think it would be quite hard to run a partially filled block with a super small or no radiator at all.
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Is a filled block illegal in 2.8?

The aluminum radiators that guys use around here (including mine) are double row 19"x31" which is about the same size as a 1st gen radiator. The guys running them have had absolutely no trouble and say they cool better than their stocker did (I say "they" because I have no personal comparison).

I am not complaining, our pulls generally have no specific rules, just wondering why? If it is not a safety issue nor is it an advantage from one truck to another......?
 
That verbiage is pretty old...been around forever.

I think the intent was to preserve the "street" nature meaning, they didn't want guys running some Pinto rad or something, making it essentially something that couldn't make it down the road.

I don't think it's a specific problem but it's one that keeps the rest of the stock rad guys from getting all mad at you....it's a "fairness" thing IMHO.

Or it could just be an old stupid idea that somehow stuck.
 
I had every intention on running a stock radiator but our truck is a v10 conversion so I did not have a stock radiator to swap in. For ~$130 I can go and buy the aluminum radiator that has worked on other trucks locally. If something goes wrong I can get another one the mon-sat no problem.

I think 2.8 has gone beyond street. So that being what it is, why would a rule be in place that wouldn't allow for a truck to be simpler and possibly easier to work on or find parts on a random day.

I will probably never have an issue with running mine but I thought it was something to get some perspective on from others.
 
ILLINOISRAM said:
It dont matter, you could run one out of a mini cooper if it would do what you needied it to do. The big hogan intercooler from haisley requires a narrower radiator to fit between the big 4 in tubes. No body says anything about that so im sure your okay.
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My big haisley intercooler fit around the stock radiator. You have to cut the core supports, not modify the radiator.
 
zstroken said:
My big haisley intercooler fit around the stock radiator. You have to cut the core supports, not modify the radiator.
Click to expand...

i have seen a few of the OMG coolers and the guys had narrower radiators to fit between the 4 inch tubes. Yes the channel was cut too. Maybe its not required but i have seen it done.
 
OK, actually the OMG intercooler is easier to get the boots on than the stocker. I didn't have clearance issues on mine, the guys that I knew that ran them just ran the stock rad's. Must be an illinois thing. LOL!
 
Possibly. LOL Id like to get the hell out of here some times. Especially during pulling season. MO or OH sound like good places to me.
 
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