C&R Radiator Install

[gr8snkbite]

Well, got the radiator the other day. Spent the last two days putting her in. This thing is massive, a PITA at times, and surely a second person is very handy indeed. You have to work and manuver both sides to get it in. Those freaking smart box wire harnesses just don't want to move...

It is a very tight fit, takes some ingenuity, patience, manipulation, and time. I can say that i'm very pleased with it. The water return hose needs to be cut (took about an inch off) to prevent kinking.

Getting to the upper ac cond bolts was the worse. If i had it to do over, i'd probably remove either the upper grill, or whole front facia to get easier access to those bolts. Even getting the fan shroud back in was tight.

The only other line i disconnected was the water line from the SC intercooler to the SC degass bottle, and tilted the bottle off to the side. No, i didn't drain the SC HE. There is no way of getting the fan shroud in otherwise.

The ac cond line on the pass side does contact the rad on its corner, unless you slightly bend that tube outward. I gave them a recommendation to shorten the bottom ac cond mounts by about an 1/8" of an inch, which should allow clearance of that tube.

Haven't datalogged anything yet, just went driving. Did notice the temp gage needle sits closer to center than before. The only instructions you get are copies of the tech maual pages for removing/installing the rad. Told them more comprehensive instructions needed to be added in the shipment.

Very pleased with the product......

[Dactyl]

Well done dude. This is a great cooling mod and I'm happy you are pleased with it. Yes its tight and yes removing the front grille helps. It is a bit of a PITA but other than those select bolts it goes in well.

I'm sure everybody that bought will be pleased with the finished product.

Let's all remember, that motor and everything else is shoehorned in there from the factory and now we gotta squeez a little more in there.

Thanks for the positive input on the radiator. I put a lot of work into helping C&R.

Looking forward to hearing all of the other replies as well.

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by Dactyl

Well done dude. This is a great cooling mod and I'm happy you are pleased with it. Yes its tight and yes removing the front grille helps. It is a bit of a PITA but other than those select bolts it goes in well.

I'm sure everybody that bought will be pleased with the finished product.

Let's all remember, that motor and everything else is shoehorned in there from the factory and now we gotta squeez a little more in there.

Thanks for the positive input on the radiator. I put a lot of work into helping C&R.

Looking forward to hearing all of the other replies as well.

When you guys say "front grille" do you mean the upper or lower ? I assume you mean the upper ?

[iceman]

Originally Posted by Dactyl

Well done dude. This is a great cooling mod and I'm happy you are pleased with it. Yes its tight and yes removing the front grille helps. It is a bit of a PITA but other than those select bolts it goes in well.

I'm sure everybody that bought will be pleased with the finished product.

Let's all remember, that motor and everything else is shoehorned in there from the factory and now we gotta squeez a little more in there.

Thanks for the positive input on the radiator. I put a lot of work into helping C&R.

Looking forward to hearing all of the other replies as well.

Will this fit in with the heat exchanger you are working on too? If so the two of them together with the Moroso tank for the intercooler would be a nice set up I assume. Installing them togehter with the front off would be the way to go IMO.

[bdv1973]

That looks good sittin in there.

[gr8snkbite]

Originally Posted by Birdman

When you guys say "front grille" do you mean the upper or lower ? I assume you mean the upper ?

Yes..upper. But those clips are a PITA to release.

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by gr8snkbite

Yes..upper. But those clips are a PITA to release.

Thanks,I've already had mine out twice , not too bad if you start from one side and go across.

[iceman]

Do you have a part number or size? I am looking at the web page and there are quite a few options.

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by iceman

Do you have a part number or size? I am looking at the web page and there are quite a few options.

Invoice only says (1)....CR-Shelby Mustang 08 -Radiator, Shelby
.................................Mustang 08,manual,direct fitw/OE Fan & Condenser Mounts

[CH53Driver]

Keith,

Great write up! That radiator looks impressive. I look forward to getting mine put in. It will be interesting to see what you find when you do your data logging. I'm thinking real hard about the AFCO H/E so I can just do both at the same time. Combine that with some MOROSO tanks...cool.

[TOMMY GUN]

I haven't heard of anyone changing out a radiator on a GT500 yet. Is there a heat issue now w/ adding the TVS?


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[CH53Driver]

For normal driving, probably not? However, talking to Van he was experiencing a lot of heat issues tracking the car. I'm sure he will be able to fill you in better than me. I have yet to track it, but that is my eventual goal. Once I get all the cooling upgrades, I will probably go and do my suspension. Then I'll contemplate the S/C upgrade...

[TOMMY GUN]

Who is Van?


I tracked my car w/ just the intercooler upgrade and no problems, but I haven't swapped the S/C yet.


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[CH53Driver]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Who is Van?



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Van=Dactyl

When I talked with him he had a whole set of numbers from the track. I know he was having engine timing retardation due to the heat build up from tracking it. I'm sure he can give you the details much more than I can. I figure with the radiator and H/E upgrade I will be in a much better position when I decide to track the car than if I left it stock.

[WP64]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I tracked my car w/ just the intercooler upgrade and no problems, but I haven't swapped the S/C yet.


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You may have not been pushing it hard enough to overheat it TG... LOL

I'm still waiting for my C&R rad., but not a problem as I am w/o my car until after SEMA. Great write-up gr8snkbite, nice of you to post up your install briefs and pics, makes it easier for the rest of us.

The comments about the AC lines makes me think more about removing the AC altogether, and then there's the weight savings... But it sure was nice driving home after my last HPDE with the AC on, cruise control set to 70mph and averaging 20.2mpg all the way home.

[TOMMY GUN]

I drove it pretty hard, but I'm not making any records by any means. I'm there to have fun, not kill my car. Just wondering if this was a worthwhile mod if you weren't racing your car. If we had any temp readings to go by?


It is nice having a guinea pig do the install thogh.
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[gr8snkbite]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I drove it pretty hard, but I'm not making any records by any means. I'm there to have fun, not kill my car. Just wondering if this was a worthwhile mod if you weren't racing your car. If we had any temp readings to go by?


It is nice having a guinea pig do the install thogh.
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we're all guinea pigs my brother...

i do want to track the car...maybe next year. i didn't datalog before the install, but did take some readings with me handheld infared thermometer a while ago. I plan to do this again when mother nature dictates and compare the two sets. We'll see.

[TOMMY GUN]

Thanks.


Heading to Nags Head...


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[gr8snkbite]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Thanks.


Heading to Nags Head...


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Wasn't plannin on it...forecast showed rain all weekend. But if mother plays nicely, will hit EC on the 1st and meet up with Ruf and gang. Gonna go chill up in williamsburg.

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Thanks.


Heading to Nags Head...


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Just back from Nags Head.



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