Need a New Radiator

[tchr49]

Time for G8only to get involved here and clear this up. Be nice to have the peace of mind that there is a quality all aluminum replacement out there that does fit like it should.

[STL_G8GT]

Update: I finally got around to installing this Cold Case radiator today (been driving my Jeep over the summer). I'm disappointed to report that they have not fixed the fitment issue with the lower (outlet) elbow. Mine hits the subframe just like a lot of other people have reported. I don't like the prospect of having to notch the subframe, so I'll probably be shimming the radiator up higher to provide clearance. It needs to come up at least 1/2", which should work for my car with a Vararam intake, but I'm sure if I ever switch to a different intake and go back to using the stock upper radiator mounts that I'll need to come up with a different solution. Gatorayde, I saw your post where you heated up the elbow and bent it to fit. I may have to do that eventually. Mine also doesn't fit the fan housing securely at all, just like yours. I guess I'll either shim it up or figure out how to zip-tie the top mounts.

With some people reporting that these radiators fit just fine and others having the same issues with the outlet fitting, I wonder if it's a quality-control issue. It's a really good-looking product, and whoever put this thing together clearly knows how to weld aluminum. Are they maybe not measuring to see if the elbow fitting has warped during assembly? Aluminum has a very high thermal expansion ratio, so it'll move all over the place when welding if you're not careful.

Why not just go with an oem replacement?

[SpaceFrank]

An OEM (ACDelco) radiator is actually more expensive than the Cold Case radiator, and it still has plastic end tanks. I'm a decent enough fabricator that I'm comfortable I can make it work, but if I wasn't, I would already be on the phone with G8Only about sending this back for a refund.

[STL_G8GT]

An OEM (ACDelco) radiator is actually more expensive than the Cold Case radiator, and it still has plastic end tanks. I'm a decent enough fabricator that I'm comfortable I can make it work, but if I wasn't, I would already be on the phone with G8Only about sending this back for a refund.

Man I hear ya... but if a stock one lasts 8 years now with the plastic end tanks, I would think it'd be worth it every 8 years to deal with. I get that you can make it work, but for anyone else, how much is your time worth to make it fit? Less than the difference between this hunk and oem, I would guess.

To be super clear, good on ya for making it fit, but the fitment issues with these things are incredible being that it's only made to fit a car that was made for two model years without any critical revisions to this assembly, ya know?

[SpaceFrank]

It is strange that they haven't gotten this worked out yet. I have to wonder if they're using any kind of jig to keep the parts straight when welding. Surely they've test fit these units in a G8 before!

[norm8332]

If anyone is concerned about price, here's a new one for $98 http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/p...,radiator,2172

[smwalker]

Well if you are good at keeping your receipts a lifetime warranty on the AC Delco's: