Radiator Question. | FerrariChat

Radiator Question.

Discussion in '308/328' started by LE06, May 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM.

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  1. LE06

    LE06 Karting
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    Sep 26, 2022
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    Lee
    I am about to flush my cooling system and run a new heater hose. I plan on taking my radiator to a shop to have it cleaned and checked. I noticed on flea bay I could get an aluminum one for around 350. The other parts suppliers want around 1200. Does anyone have experience with these?

    Thanks
     
  2. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,770
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    The problem buying a radiator from flea bay is the fitment I know the one that Nick Forza sells for $1200 is an exact fee without any modification. It’s like plug-in play.
     
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  3. LE06

    LE06 Karting
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    Sep 26, 2022
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    Lee
    Is there a big advantage to the aluminum ones? To me it seems like the fan set up sucks on these cars.
     
  4. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,770
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    Not so much of a advantage but two disadvantages is not original and expensive. One other choice if you can do is have your original Radiator recore and upgrade your fan to the latest more modern SPAL.
     
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  5. LE06

    LE06 Karting
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    Sep 26, 2022
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    Lee
    Ok thinks. Recore and upgrade the fans seems like what I want.
     
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  6. Imatk

    Imatk Formula Junior

    May 6, 2007
    674
    Good luck finding someone to actually do a recore. I couldn't. I wound up buying an aluminum one from Superformance. Also did the Spal fan upgrade.
     
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  7. Tiltrider1

    Tiltrider1 Rookie

    Jul 26, 2022
    40
    Full Name:
    David Regula
    For a recore you can contact Greenwood Radiators in Seattle Wa. I am sure there are plenty of other shops in the world. These are the only people that I can vouch for. They did all my radiators and tanks when I brought my 308 back to life. I have know Ron for 30 years and I know I can always trust him.
     
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  8. Aus_yz

    Aus_yz Karting

    Sep 5, 2015
    52
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Mika
    Ive been running a Ebay aluminum radiator for 6 plus years , works/fits fine . I still have original radiator to recore one day .
     
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  9. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,248
    Birmingham, AL
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    Tommy
    When I bought my QV in 97 I had the radiator out twice to rod , clean etc. It helped a little I guess. I installed a larger aluminum one years later and that was about 50% better but you still didn't want to get caught in Atlanta downtown traffic on I85 in the summer.

    I installed larger spal fans on those little mounts that look like stock motors and that seems to have finally done the trick. That was a pretty good upgrade because I modified nothing in the car. total swap only.
     
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  10. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
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    Nov 12, 2011
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    Omaha, NE area, US
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    Steve
    I bought the alloy one from Superformance, and it fit, sort of. The top mounting brackets were off by about 10mm per side, the bottom condenser brackets were moved inboard about 30mm per side compared to my original, and the drain tap thread was wrong. All things I could deal with, and better than paying return freight, but very annoying given the price.
     
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  11. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
    1,121
    Mansfield, TX
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    Ron
    #11 ferrariowner, May 6, 2025 at 8:16 AM
    Last edited: May 6, 2025 at 8:22 AM
    Nick's radiator is produced by Wizard Cooling. It works great with 2- 10in electric fans (12in will fit as well). Add shrouds for better performance. Also a good time to upgrade the AC condenser. Don't forget to replace the foam around the radiator and the hood. Install your battery cover.

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    14,958
    Atlanta
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    Tom Spiro
    My 328 never had any cooling issues in summer Atlanta weather. however my 308 was horrible always close to overheating. I think the 328 standard radiator is very good, as long as its all working right. I'd go with Nick's as a very good upgrade, that protects the engine. Flushing it every year helps as well.
     
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  13. LE06

    LE06 Karting
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    Sep 26, 2022
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    Lee
    My 308 does not like sitting still. If the rest of the system looks like what I saw in the heater hose I am changing then it is full of crud.
    I think there is a shop here in town that will still do a recore. If the fans had shrouds that would help. I saw a radiator that came with fans but that may have been on flea bay. Are you guys getting fans local or from one of the Ferrari parts suppliers?
     
  14. Imatk

    Imatk Formula Junior

    May 6, 2007
    674
    If I were you, I'd take a look at every coolant hose you have. If they haven't been changed, change them.

    It took me two flushes AFTER I replaced all the coolant hoses to get the crap out of the system.

    Remember to drain the block as well to get all the coolant (or most of it) out.

    My car simply doesn't overheat now. I had to sit in 100 degree Texas weather behind an accident for about an hour and it never even got close to overheating.
     
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  15. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
    1,121
    Mansfield, TX
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    Ron
    Try the Spall 10 or 12in fans. Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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