Griffin Radiator Swap?

[ProjectRedMark]

Today I discovered a very small leak on one of my radiator side tank seams I've seen at least one person has swapped in a Griffin. I can't seem to find the model number or description of what it took to swap it in. I've searched some suppliers websites and of course when you enter the Mark in as the vehicle it comes up with nothing. Any insight would be appreciated. I know how critical it is to keep these motors cool and I don't want to deal with another crappy plastic tank failure down the road. Thanks!

 

[ONEBADMK8]

Today I discovered a very small leak on one of my radiator side tank seams I've seen at least one person has swapped in a Griffin. I can't seem to find the model number or description of what it took to swap it in. I've searched some suppliers websites and of course when you enter the Mark in as the vehicle it comes up with nothing. Any insight would be appreciated. I know how critical it is to keep these motors cool and I don't want to deal with another crappy plastic tank failure down the road. Thanks!

I have a Griffin I got from Summit Racing under their universl fit rads. It was only $190.00 shipped about 10 years ago. You have to delete the trans cooler and go stand alone and weld the top cap shut and add a nipple for the puke tank.

 

[ProjectRedMark]

Thanks for the info! And that's a great looking setup too. Do you happen to remember the dimensions on the one you have? Is that the stock fan on yours? Did you weld a cap on the radiator or just a block off on top of the neck? I can't tell in the pics. Sorry for all the questions I just want to make sure it comes out right the first time.

 

[ONEBADMK8]

I welded the top cap and a nipple for the tanke. Its almost exactly the stock size. I went on their site and got the closest size wise one I could find. Stock MK8 fan.

 

[ProjectRedMark]

Thanks again for all the info man!

 

[Aquabrit]

What about an aftermarket rad for a 96-98 Cobra application? (sure, it still won't have the built in trans cooler, but I'd think it would fit ok and have the nipple for the expansion tank) Be worth checking into.

 

[kustomizingkid]

Mike has an 03/04 Cobra unit in his Mark if I remember correctly...

 

[Screw-Rice]

Don't know about these cars, but the 03/04 Cobra radiator is popular for T-Birds/Cougars since it drops right in with minimal work.

 

[ProjectRedMark]

What about an aftermarket rad for a 96-98 Cobra application? (sure, it still won't have the built in trans cooler, but I'd think it would fit ok and have the nipple for the expansion tank) Be worth checking into.

I thought about that too since I just put the cobra water pump on it 2 weeks ago (bad bearing). When I searched radiators on here though I saw several people saying that the Mark cooling system out performed the Mustang by far. Don't know about the Cobra though. Hopefully somebody will chime in with more info. I would imagine the Cobra would still have the crappy plastic side tanks though.:feedback

 

[Aquabrit]

Ya, that's why I said aftermarket, so you won't have to deal with the side tank issue. Shiryu0 linked me to a good post on the topic on another Mark VIII board, but I can't remember the details now. Maybe he'll chime in.

 

[ProjectRedMark]

Oops KK and Screw Rice replied while I was typing LOL. I will have to do more research on the Cobra radiator. That set up onebadmark8 has looks bad ass though so I may just go that way. I'll check the Cobra too! Thanks guys.

 

[Screw-Rice]

Oops KK and Screw Rice replied while I was typing LOL. I will have to do more research on the Cobra radiator. That set up onebadmark8 has looks bad ass though so I may just go that way. I'll check the Cobra too! Thanks guys.

DO a quick search in the 4.6 section of tccoa.com for it. I know it got so popular so fast, that the price went up like $50 on it in just a few weeks. :lol:

Edit:
http://forums.tccoa.com/showthread.php?t=111129&highlight=03+cobra+radiator

 

[Aquabrit]

Ya, I was just reading up on the subject on the evil site. Apparently the 03/04 (from an OEM standpoint) is the way ahead! (welded side tanks, thicker core, etc.)

 

[shiryu0]

yeah 03/04 cobra fits, just mess with the brackets a bit........i cant find the link i had............

 

[ProjectRedMark]

Hmm. Food for thought. I'll have to price that option out too. The looks of the Griffin are better IMHO but my main concern is keeping it cool with the A/C cranking in the summer with the gears in this thing.

 

[ONEBADMK8]

Hmm. Food for thought. I'll have to price that option out too. The looks of the Griffin are better IMHO but my main concern is keeping it cool with the A/C cranking in the summer with the gears in this thing.

NP at all have a 160 tstat, Griffin, 410's and daily driven for 11 years like that.

 

[ProjectRedMark]

NP at all have a 160 tstat, Griffin, 410's and daily driven for 11 years like that.

That's what I wanted to hear. Mine has 4.10's too and A/C is my best friend in the summer.

 

[mlschultz]

Yep, I have a Ford Racing radiator, and a Dorman offset fan to make space for the Vortech and tube work. No complaints and works great with the a/c on - even in the hot blistering Atlanta summers. That Griffin sure is purdy though.


radiator link

fan link

 

[poniesviii]

I'm sure you wouldn't want an aftermarket fan unless you had a situation like mschults with his vortech. Our stock fans flow~ 4300 cu. ft. of air per minute? I think it's 4300. Which is more than you can find in any aftermarket application if I remember correctly. Not ripping on your setup man, just saying, if you can go griffin and keep the stock fan like Geno did you should have the best of both worlds when it comes to cooling. But on top of that.. truly, a new stocker would last a long time. And the built in tranny cooler helps bring your trans temps up quicker, which is better for your trans, assuming it's just a daily and doesn't see 410's and alot of track time.

 

[mlschultz]

That Griffin sure is nice. I would like to have one in my car. It was considered, but was decided that fitment with the Vortech would be a problem with available space.

Looks to be sticking out compared to a stock radiator in Geno's pictures. I dunno, by the looks of the pictures with my bifocals, I think my Ford Racing radiator tucks away more than the Griffin, if space is a concern.

 

[ProjectRedMark]

That Griffin sure is nice. I would like to have one in my car. It was considered, but was decided that fitment with the Vortech would be a problem with available space.

Looks to be sticking out compared to a stock radiator in Geno's pictures. I dunno, by the looks of the pictures with my bifocals, I think my Ford Racing radiator tucks away more than the Griffin, if space is a concern.

Well I dont have any clearance issues. At least not yet... The Griffin does seem to stick out a bit i think you are right. The Cobra tucks in like the OE. I can barely see my radiator now from the top. I like the bold look of the Grifffin too and price wise they both should run about the same money. And your setup looks pretty bad azz too!

PoniesVIII - I will be keeping my stock fan since I did read they flow very well and I dont have any clearance issues. And yes this is my DD and I dont plan to run it a the track (much) but it does have 4.10's

Ah decisions decisions

 

[ONEBADMK8]

Yeah baby keep the stock fan when possible! Nothing out flows it. I even have one on the 800hp Beetle!! Car runs 190 in the Summer with setup, car has 13:.5:1 compression too.

 

[DLF]

FWIW, I picked up a new '04 Cobra radiator HERE for $200 shipped.

I made a lower offer and it was accepted.