Radiator Replacement: OEM vs Performance

[89grand]

The biggest misconception about radiators is that bigger automatically cools better. There's more to a radiators cooling ability than sheer size or number of cores, or even more ridiculous, the material it is made of. Sometimes bigger radiators and more cores cool worse when used in applications that weren't designed for it and don't call for it.

It's not like Dodge engineers don't understand cooling capability in all climates, or purposely use poor performing designs that aren't sufficient. The only reason to start changing the factory radiator with some other design is if the truck is modded to the point that the factory radiator is no longer sufficient.

 

[JS4024]

Just buy the stock radiator. No need for a “performance” radiator. It’s marketing and won’t really do any more than the OEM spec radiator.

 

[madtrucker2016]

screw it put two in cant go wrong

 

[El Huapo]

The biggest misconception about radiators is that bigger automatically cools better. There's more to a radiators cooling ability than sheer size or number of cores, or even more ridiculous, the material it is made of. Sometimes bigger radiators and more cores cool worse when used in applications that weren't designed for it and don't call for it.

It's not like Dodge engineers don't understand cooling capability in all climates, or purposely use poor performing designs that aren't sufficient. The only reason to start changing the factory radiator with some other design is if the truck is modded to the point that the factory radiator is no longer sufficient.

The point of a bigger/better radiator is more ability to cool the engine/transmission in more adverse conditions than the factory minimum. And yes, more rows of cores doesn't necessarily mean better cooling, there must also be a high number fins per inch. Some larger radiators are cheaters because they don't put as many fins per inch in them so it cools less per the physical volume of space occupied would indicate. And it matters more if an engine is older and it's compression is down so it has to work harder to do the same old job---it will run hotter unless steps are taken. Truly "Hot-rodded" engines definitely need more cooling ability. And BTW I've not seen any of the old 100% metal rads split their tops like the plastic ones sometimes do in rough service. Oh, and as stated before, this is just one man's personal opinion and it's only worth what you've paid for it. Smile...

 

[89grand]

I'm certainly not saying a different radiator couldn't be better under harsh conditions, but knowing what will work better is no easy task. I think many people just assume bigger, thicker and more cores equals better cooling, and it may very well do the opposite.

The cooling fan would probably need to be addressed as well if one chooses a non-factory style radiator. Basically, a different designed radiator is not plug and play.

 

[Rt71668]

@Hemi450 can set you up with one. Matt at @moesperformance is the best Ram performance parts place on the net. Hes also a preferred vendor here and his customer service is lite years above the rest.

Blue Mule

Do you know how to get in touch with @moesperformance

 

[Wild one]

Do you know how to get in touch with @moesperformance

Matt has the phone number listed in the upper left corner,you're better off phoning him.

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