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CorvettesBeCool
vs. Griffin facts

467-Ratman
Senior
Member

501 posts [100%]
Bay City MI.

BeCool vs. Griffin
facts

1:24
PM 10/1/2002

This topic has been talked about many, many
times both are good products but here are some very important
differences. The BeCool unit is made from a special vacuum
brazed radiator core, which dissipates heat much better than
either a copper-brass or Griffins which is an epoxy core
aluminum style. The epoxy acts as an insulator, and also
prevents it from being repaired in the future. BeCools are
repairable. The BeCool unit uses a tank wall thikness of .080
versus Griffins that is .060. Tank construction is billet,
versus stamped and filler neck is cast on BeCool, stamped on
Griffin. The frame configuration is a consealed flange,
Griffin is exposed flange. To me the choice is obvious, BeCool
with the vacuum brazed, non-epoxy core, custom fabricated .080
wall end tanks and dual core is superior to the others. I know
price is allways an issue, but for about $500 bucks don't you
think are motors are worth it? Don't take a chance, make the
right choice once and be done with it! Give them a call if you
need more info at 888-243-2999 or 989-8895-9699, you will be
glad you did. And remember, BeCool!
_______

1971 Red coupe, black
leather interior, 467 4 bolt main, Merlin, "Grumpy Jenkins"
rectangular port heads, Crane 296-2 cam, Crane Gold race
roller rockers, titanium spring retainers, 2.25 \ 1.90
valves,GM high rise dual plane aluminum intake, Holley 850DP 4
corner idle carb. Muncie M-20- 4 speed, 3.70 posi gears.
BeCool aluminum radiator with twin Spal fans, V-Force
mufflers, Sanderson Jet Hot coated headers.

gkull
Senior
Member

4132 posts [100%]
383 road racer
nevada

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (467-Ratman)

2:01
PM 10/1/2002

I knew that their was some reason why Monty,
RED73 , and myself went with 62029 BeCool.

By the way to you get a commission on them?

Fevre
Senior
Member

3083 posts [100%]
Ann Arbor MI

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (467-Ratman)

2:41
PM 10/1/2002

You have piece of mind and I have an extra $330
in my pocket, hope it keeps working out for both of us.

Chris A
Senior
Member

797
posts [100%]
Wylie TX

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (Fevre)

3:48
PM 10/1/2002

There is a universal BeCool radiator which has
2 1" rows that is $280 at Summit. The universal Griffin with 2
1" rows is $190 and with 2 1 1/4" rows is $290.

Both brands of "direct fit" radiators are in the $500
range.
_______

Chris

'69 4-Speed 383 Coupe

467-Ratman
Senior
Member

501 posts [100%]
Bay City MI.

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (gkull)

3:55
PM 10/1/2002

Hey no commission on mine! I just really like
their stuff, and I know the people that own the place, real
car guys! I also am good friends with one of the engineers, he
as far as I am concerned can walk on water!! It does not hurt
that he has a cooool 65 blue vette with one very strong 383
motor in it!!
_______

1971 Red coupe, black leather
interior, 467 4 bolt main, Merlin, "Grumpy Jenkins"
rectangular port heads, Crane 296-2 cam, Crane Gold race
roller rockers, titanium spring retainers, 2.25 \ 1.90
valves,GM high rise dual plane aluminum intake, Holley 850DP 4
corner idle carb. Muncie M-20- 4 speed, 3.70 posi gears.
BeCool aluminum radiator with twin Spal fans, V-Force
mufflers, Sanderson Jet Hot coated headers.

GrandSportC3
Senior
Member

6544 posts [100%]
Miami Beach
Florida

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (Chris A)

7:24
PM 10/1/2002

quote:

... and with 2 1 1/4" rows is $290.

That's what I have and it works great!!!

Olivier
_______

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/grandsportc3

http://home.earthlink.net/~omader

68 Custom Convertible (383/465 HP + TKO 5-speed)

Best E/T: 12.49 @ 112.9 mph on BFG Radial T/A 255's Click here to see my 12.49 run
80 Duntov
Turbo Convertible (Number 4 of 32) - FOR SALE $
14500

jackson
Senior
Member

148
posts [100%]
Florence SC

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (Chris A)

12:58
AM 10/2/2002

quote:

/467-Ratman ... The BeCool unit is made from a special
vacuum brazed radiator core, which dissipates heat much
better than either a copper-brass or Griffins which is an
epoxy core aluminum style. The epoxy acts as an insulator,
and also prevents it from being repaired in the future.
BeCools are repairable.

quote:

/CHRIS ... There is a universal BeCool radiator which has 2
1" rows that is $280 at Summit. The universal Griffin with 2
1" rows is $190 and with 2 1 1/4" rows is $290. Both brands
of "direct fit" radiators are in the $500 range.

Quite true about Griffin & epoxy & stamped necks
... & BeCool's construction superior to Griffin. Both
BeCool & Griffin are great rads.

But here's a tip you won't find in the Summit paper
catalog. There is an aluminum radiator MANUFACTURER named
"NORTHERN" of Willmar, MN ... you can't buy directly from
Northern ... they sell to SUMMIT, Speedway motors, Lefthander
Chassis etc. None of those good folk resell them under name of
Northern ... Summit doesn't even give em a name, they're not
in summit paper catalog ... look em up online under summit as
manufacturer, Speedway calls them "tru-cool" ... Lefthander
calls them "titan" ... etc.

Northern is virtually identical to Griffin in configuration
... BUT ... Northern radiators have furnace brazed
construction, billet necks, and NO epoxy ... AND THEY COST
LESS THAN GRIFFIN!

Northerns are great universal type aluminum rads ... two
rows of 1" tubes ... we install them in many circle track cars
& trucks. We get em from Lefthander ... in LH’s catalog
they’re named “titan” but they arrive w/ Northern stamped into
tank. BTW, we also install AFCO, BeCool, Cools-It, C&R etc
... when customer specifies he wants to spend.

BTW, I didn’t just assume the relationship between Northern
& Summit ... I recently verified this by speaking w/ both
Northern’s sales & Summit’s purchasing depts. Everyone
knows the good name of Griffin ... they're great rads! But
every now & then, some lesser-known'll come along with a
better mousetrap. Northern's got a better universal aluminum
radiator for less! ... & IMHO, just as good as BeCool
& AFCO.

Here's the cross reference:
Northern 9607 31 x 19 =
Summit pn SUM-380331 @ $180
Northern 9607 31 x 19 =
Speedway pn 917347-31 @ $170
equivalent Griffin at Summit
pn GRI-1-25272-X @
$190
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern
9606 28 x 19 = Summit pn SUM-380328 @ $170
Northern 9606 28
x 19 = Speedway pn 917247-28 @ $160
equivalent Griffin at
Summit pn GRI-1-25242-X @ $190

Please forward 1 brewski /$10 saved.

[Modified by jackson, 4:11 AM 10/2/2002]

[Modified by jackson, 4:15 AM 10/2/2002]

[Modified by jackson, 4:18 AM
10/2/2002]

[Modified by jackson, 4:20 AM
10/2/2002]

Chris A
Senior
Member

797
posts [100%]
Wylie TX

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (GrandSportC3)

6:27
AM 10/2/2002

quote:

... and with 2 1 1/4" rows is $290.

That's what I have and it works great!!!

Olivier

Hehe, me too, but a year ago they were only $260
_______

Chris

'69 4-Speed 383 Coupe

clutchdust
Senior
Member

865 posts [100%]
i HATE sprint
PCS

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (jackson)

9:59
AM 10/2/2002

i agree with what jackson is saying. last month
when i did the overhaul, i took the occasion to replace my
leaking OEM radiator. i ordered the summit universal radiator
and when i recieved it, sure enough, it had the name
'northern' stamped into the tank. unfortunately, i ordered the
incorrect one so ended up having to get a griffin because of
stock issues. the universal fit griffin DOES NOT drop into the
late c-3 like some others claim to do. it does fit but there
are several PITA issues with it.

[Modified by
clutchdust, 12:42 PM 10/2/2002]
_______

1981 L-81/4-speed. "the anti-rice" U.S.M.C. '90-'95 "Semper Fi"
"Will Race for Food, Will Win for
Money"
visit my homepage: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/clutchdust

Chris A
Senior
Member

797
posts [100%]
Wylie TX

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (clutchdust)

12:09
PM 10/2/2002

quote:

The universal fit griffin DOES NOT drop into the c-3 like
some others claim to do. it does fit but there are several
PITA issues with it.

Well, maybe it did not drop right in on YOUR
car but it did on mine. The brackets went on in the same
location w/o any modifications. The rad support is in without
any modifications. The only thing I had to modify were the
hoses, and that was just cutting off some excess length.

Now, I'm sure there were many variances between '69 and
'81, so YMMV.

Also, I went with electric fans so I did not have the fan
shroud to contend with.

[Modified by Chris A, 2:10 PM
10/2/2002]
_______

Chris

'69 4-Speed 383 Coupe

clutchdust
Senior
Member

865 posts [100%]
i HATE sprint
PCS

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (Chris A)

12:41
PM 10/2/2002

chris, i wish i had a '69! and not only just
because they're so dang cool. i had to splice hoses, discard
the factory cold air induction and my e-fans didn't (and still
don't) fit in there right. oh well, just winter projects. i
should edit my earlier post to say it DOES NOT drop into the
late c-3.

jackson
Senior
Member

148
posts [100%]
Florence SC

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (Chris A)

1:08
PM 10/2/2002

quote:

/clutchdust ... The universal fit griffin DOES NOT drop
into the c-3 like some others claim to do. it does fit but
there are several PITA issues with it.

quote:

/Chris A ... Well, maybe it did not drop right in on YOUR
car but it did on mine. The brackets went on in the same
location w/o any modifications. The rad support is in
without any modifications. The only thing I had to modify
were the hoses, and that was just cutting off some excess
length.

Now, I'm sure there were many variances between '69 and
'81, so YMMV.

Also, I went with electric fans so I did not have the fan
shroud to contend with.

To best of my knowledge, all mass-produced C3s' factory rad
mounts are configured so the rads' overhang at the tank-header
seams nest/clamp into the mounts (aka saddle mounts). As there
are many variations of core size across the series, there are
also many variations in side-to-side dimensions between the R
& L saddle mounts ... and front-to-back variations
depending on tank-header width. There are many different
factory radiators, of various width & thickness, used
across the C3 series.

Most, if not all, universal alum rad dimensions are
published as OVERALL. Some folks apparently use a 27.5" - 28"
wide UAR ... some use a 31" UAR. Fitting a UAR may go nearly
as smoothly as direct-fit for one C3 ... but require mount
modification/fabrication for another C3 ... depending on year
& options. So, it's easy to see how a UAR may drop in one
fellow's C3 but not in another ... and that's implied by the
term "universal."

Two things would be helpful to those planning to fit a UAR.
Could a database of dimensions be compiled and then posted
here ... in manner such as Lar's white papers. When a rad
R&R is underway, C3 fans might measure their saddle mount
& rad dimensions with their baby's options ... then post
here for further compilation. And wouldn't it be nice if the
UAR manufacturers/marketers would also publish the core
dimensions & tank-head overhang dimensions?

There's a forum member (sorry don't recall his handle)
whose sig seems most appropriate here ... "knowledge gained
but not shared is lost."

JACK

[Modified by jackson, 4:09 PM
10/2/2002]

clutchdust
Senior
Member

865 posts [100%]
i HATE sprint
PCS

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (Chris A)

5:15
PM 10/2/2002

chris, i think you have an excellent idea. it
would be nice if we could have a 'CF library' that we could
archive all these technical threads, although i'm sure this
would require massive amounts of server space.
as to the
fit of the rad in my particular application, i am thinking
that some of this may be production variances with griffin.
although i'm not disappointed in the fit and finish of my
griffin (mostly), i was surprised to find that mine was 1/2"
narrower than the listed 31" width. i figure this is because
of the epoxy fit between the tank and core since the core was
narrower than my OEM radiator. this was also evident when i
tried to mount my flex-a-lite fans only to find the assembly
that fit on the original radiator was 1/2" wider than the core
of the griffin. because of this, the griffin only fit in one
of the saddles and the other end was resting on the tank. i
had to modify the saddles to accept the radiator.
also, the
upper and lower brackets (i don't know what they're called)
aren't as tall as the OEM, which is where i had mounted the
fans previously. i still don't have a permanent solution for
that.
i also had to eliminate the factory cold air
induction ducting because it wouldn't fit between the radiator
and the radiator support. additionally, the overflow tube
would not allow the ducting in the factory location. i plan on
getting an old, damaged hood to modify for a different cold
air intake.
another real PITA was getting a lower radiator
hose. the upper fit just fine but on the lower, i couldn't get
anything to replicate the near 90* bend of the OEM rad. i
ended up having to take a small peice of exhaust pipe and cut
and splice two different hoses to get the appropriate bend. if
anybody else has run into a similar problem and found an
acceptable hose, i would really, really like to find
out the hose number, application and store where you got it.
hope this helps others who plan on doing
similar.

[Modified by clutchdust, 5:18 PM
10/2/2002]
_______

1981 L-81/4-speed. "the anti-rice" U.S.M.C. '90-'95 "Semper Fi"
"Will Race for Food, Will Win for
Money"
visit my homepage: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/clutchdust

Toronto-C3
Senior
Member

60 posts [28%]
Toronto Ont

Re: BeCool vs.
Griffin facts (clutchdust)

5:51
PM 10/2/2002

Auto Zone a 4 core direct fit for only $200
with a life-time warranty, as good or better then orginal and
I also have over $300 in my pocket. Tell me how I can beat
that.
_______

C-6 in waiting, Owened a C-4
for many many years "Great Vette", Hate the C5's look, Waiting
for the New C6. In the meantime I am a proud owner of a solid
73-C3

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