New radiator CoOp style

N2hcky

N2hcky

Member
Dec 2, 2020
98
78
18
Dalton, GA
My radiator and cradle were damaged in a transporting mishap so I decided to go the route that they were using at CoOP.
The 94-2000 Yukon/Suburban 7.4l aluminum radiator.
Had to build a cradle to fit but at least it doesn't hang as low as OEM.
Electric fans may not ne up to par but included in the package deal so if I need to upgrade those it is worth a shot to give it a go and see.
OVERALL (H x W): 21 5/8'' X 40 5/8'' 4 core. It has both trans and oil coolers in it but I plan to use external ones along with thermostatic fluid controllers.
 

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I would think it would cool fine being that GM used it for a 454 Chevrolet.
CoOp has been doing this swap for a good bit and I spoke direct with Jason and Jim and say it has worked out well.
It is most definately lower cost than the aluminum stock replacement as far as the unit. The extra fab and such of course isn't free but I do all my own fab work and such.
There are quite a few of the chinese made radiator out there. Some have pretty good reputations and some don't. I bought this "Alloyworks" through Amazon because you can buy the extra warranty if you want. The wholes setup was $329....just radiator is $279. so for $50 I thought I would give the fans a shot.....the shroud alone is worth that.
From what I could tell most all of the manufacters use the same "1696" model....mine was stamped on the bottom and Champion uses that exact part number.
Champion brand 3 row show to cool up to 800HP. They are REALLY proud of thier shrouds and fans $$
Amazon link
Champion link
 
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Could be promising. Please update us this summer to let us know how it works out for you. I just spent yesterday trying to straighten out a radiator frame and mounting brackets from an auction coach that was in a collision.

One thing I'd look into is cutting out that louvered section and replacing with rubber flaps. The flaps act as a check valve. They allow more passive airflow when going down the road, as wind force will hold them open. When you're at a standstill and the fans are operating, however, the negative pressure between shroud and radiator holds the flaps closed. This prevents airflow from short-circuiting between louvers and fan, which would rob some efficiency. It's a very common OEM solution for cars that come with electric fans. The rubber flaps must be very thin and compliant, with the right amount of "support" behind them to work well. I think Champion even sells parts for this kind of thing.

Shroud-Fans-00.webp
 
pvfjr said:
Could be promising. Please update us this summer to let us know how it works out for you. I just spent yesterday trying to straighten out a radiator frame and mounting brackets from an auction coach that was in a collision.

One thing I'd look into is cutting out that louvered section and replacing with rubber flaps. The flaps act as a check valve. They allow more passive airflow when going down the road, as wind force will hold them open. When you're at a standstill and the fans are operating, however, the negative pressure between shroud and radiator holds the flaps closed. This prevents airflow from short-circuiting between louvers and fan, which would rob some efficiency. It's a very common OEM solution for cars that come with electric fans. The rubber flaps must be very thin and compliant, with the right amount of "support" behind them to work well. I think Champion even sells parts for this kind of thing.

View attachment 7777
Click to expand...
The "FLAP" mod was my first thought on improving the shroud. The fans themselves should move a lot of air.....the downfall would be the dead area of the shroud.
If all else fails I will go with a factor GM fan set up that fits pretty close. From 07-14 Silverado. Twin fan unit that can be wired up for 2 speed.
1677720518827.webp
 
Great job, I was looking into this after I talked to Jim Bounds but ended up ordering a Superior Aluminum Radiator from JimK. If I would have did more research I probably would have went this route for basically half the cost.
 
Instead of going with a radiator that's wider than the OEM radiator support, I considered installing a common, inexpensive replacement aluminum radiator from an older chevy or gmc truck with 454 big block. They are the same width as the oem. They are not as tall, basically lacking the portion of the radiator that hangs down below the bumper. They also do not have an engine oil cooler built in. For instance the OSC 730 for $220 on RockAuto.

My thought was to mount the new radiator in the top portion of the radiator support by fabricating a new bottom support running side to side. Then fill the bottom portion with an aftermarket oil cooler for the engine oil. So in the end, the same amount of square inches of cooling, for a big block, using the proven fan shroud and fan.

Instead, I decided not to start up a new 'project' (my wife is working with me on this, I love starting projects, not so great at finishing them) and just dropped off my old one to be rebuilt. It was around $1000, but it's done, in, working.

But I still think the cheap aluminum replacement radiator would be a good option.
 
tmsnyder said:
Instead of going with a radiator that's wider than the OEM radiator support, I considered installing a common, inexpensive replacement aluminum radiator from an older chevy or gmc truck with 454 big block. They are the same width as the oem. They are not as tall, basically lacking the portion of the radiator that hangs down below the bumper. They also do not have an engine oil cooler built in. For instance the OSC 730 for $220 on RockAuto.

My thought was to mount the new radiator in the top portion of the radiator support by fabricating a new bottom support running side to side. Then fill the bottom portion with an aftermarket oil cooler for the engine oil. So in the end, the same amount of square inches of cooling, for a big block, using the proven fan shroud and fan.

Instead, I decided not to start up a new 'project' (my wife is working with me on this, I love starting projects, not so great at finishing them) and just dropped off my old one to be rebuilt. It was around $1000, but it's done, in, working.

But I still think the cheap aluminum replacement radiator would be a good option.
Click to expand...
I have not had good luck with the hybrid aluminum radiators.....at least not aftermarket ones.
That size/style is available from the same companies....Alloyworks, Champion etc. BUT since my cradle was destroyed I just went with the largest that would fit.
 
N2hcky said:
My radiator and cradle were damaged in a transporting mishap so I decided to go the route that they were using at CoOP.
The 94-2000 Yukon/Suburban 7.4l aluminum radiator.
Had to build a cradle to fit but at least it doesn't hang as low as OEM.
Electric fans may not ne up to par but included in the package deal so if I need to upgrade those it is worth a shot to give it a go and see.
OVERALL (H x W): 21 5/8'' X 40 5/8'' 4 core. It has both trans and oil coolers in it but I plan to use external ones along with thermostatic fluid controllers.
Click to expand...

N2hcky said:
My radiator and cradle were damaged in a transporting mishap so I decided to go the route that they were using at CoOP.
The 94-2000 Yukon/Suburban 7.4l aluminum radiator.
Had to build a cradle to fit but at least it doesn't hang as low as OEM.
Electric fans may not ne up to par but included in the package deal so if I need to upgrade those it is worth a shot to give it a go and see.
OVERALL (H x W): 21 5/8'' X 40 5/8'' 4 core. It has both trans and oil coolers in it but I plan to use external ones along with thermostatic fluid controllers.
Click to expand...
Stumbled across your thread while I was looking for information on going to an aluminum radiator. Which leads me to some questions...
I like the looks of the setup you have here.

Curious of how it's been working out? Any troubles or things you wished you had done differently?

Do you remember where you purchased the radiator and electric fan set up? Maybe some parts numbers?

Thank you for your time.

JR
 
JR Williams said:
Stumbled across your thread while I was looking for information on going to an aluminum radiator. Which leads me to some questions...
I like the looks of the setup you have here.

Curious of how it's been working out? Any troubles or things you wished you had done differently?

Do you remember where you purchased the radiator and electric fan set up? Maybe some parts numbers?

Thank you for your time.

JR
Click to expand...
The setup has worked out great. Temps seem to always be in range......was even in traffic in Pigeon forge during July with AC on and temp hovered around 210.
I wired in a Dakota Digital fan controller in a 2 speed fan wiring configuration.
I was proactive and did not use the included aluminum fan setup. I went with the OEM style GM fans that matched the radiator.....just had to fab additional mounting supports.
Radiator with fan. I think this is the same without fan Radiator
Fan unit
Fan controller but you will have to also do the wiring relay kit for dual speed. There multiple ones available if you do a web search for GM dual speed fan wiring. I made my own.
 
FANtastic!! See what I did there?! lol

Thanks for the reply with buying details. I was going to recore, but after researching others rigs, I'm "heating up (can't help myself)" to follow yours.

Any chance you could snap a few detail pics of the way you mounted yours? Top, bottom, and anything noteworthy? I would really appreciate that. No need to reinvent the wheel here. Time is mot on my side.

The idea of having that much space to work on, and maintenance of anything on the front of the engine is incredibly appealing.

Happy Holidays

N2hcky said:
The setup has worked out great. Temps seem to always be in range......was even in traffic in Pigeon forge during July with AC on and temp hovered around 210.
I wired in a Dakota Digital fan controller in a 2 speed fan wiring configuration.
I was proactive and did not use the included aluminum fan setup. I went with the OEM style GM fans that matched the radiator.....just had to fab additional mounting supports.
Radiator with fan. I think this is the same without fan Radiator
Fan unit
Fan controller but you will have to also do the wiring relay kit for dual speed. There multiple ones available if you do a web search for GM dual speed fan wiring. I made my own.
Click to expand...
 
Applied GMC
GMCMI Fall 2026 Rally

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