FAQ - Options & Accessories pg.1

1) What kind of pressure cap should I run with your radiator?
Griffin recommends using a premium cap with 14-18 psi for street use and 22-24 psi for racing.

2) If I increase the pressure rating on my cap, will it cool better?
If the coolant temperature and flow are well controlled it will not offer a significant improvement. Extreme high output engines may benefit from higher pressures.

3) Can I use an engine oil cooler if my car does not currently have one?
Yes. You can use an engine oil cooler if your car does not currently have one. When an engine is run at high speed for more than a few minutes, such as racing, the engine oil cooler will keep the oil temperature down. This prevents the oil from breaking down and ensures lubrication meets design intention.

4) What is the difference between a 134A condenser and an R12 condenser?
The 134A is EPA regulated and is what most car manufacturers are using today (the new refrigerant). The 134A condenser is designed to reject 6% more heat at the same conditions and should withstand slightly higher pressure as required by SAE J639.

5) I understand that the R12 gas is being phased out. Is that true?
Yes. See #2.

6) How much space should there be between the A/C condenser and the radiator?
There should be 1/4" – 3/8" (no more than 1/2") between the A/C condenser and the radiator. If there is too much space the air will go around the condenser. The condenser cannot go on the backside of radiator. Temperature of the air leaving the radiator is too high for a condenser to reject the heat required for proper A/C operation.

7) Does an internal transmission cooler work better that an external transcooler?
Both work fine if properly sized and properly installed.

8) What kind of transmission coolers do you have available?
Griffin offers both internal coolant to oil heat exchangers and external air to oil heat exchangers.

9) Will an internal transcooler raise the water temperature?
An internal transcooler may raise the water temperature by an insignificant amount of approximately 1 – 2 degrees.

10) Why doesn’t Griffin use the same transcooler fittings that the car had originally?
Some of the original transcooler fittings are not available anymore.

11) The fittings Griffin used on my transcooler are not the same as the original fittings, what size are they?
Transcooler fittings depend on the design.

12) Where can I get adapters to fit the Griffin transcooler?
Adapters for the Griffin transcooler can be purchased at NAPA, Advanced Auto, etc.

13) Why would I use a surge tank?
You would use a surge tank when a radiator is mounted lower than the intake manifold. Air will tend to collect in the highest part of the system and will need to be purged at the manifold.

14) Should I use a plastic overflow bottle or one with a screw on cap?
You can use either a plastic overflow bottle or one with a screw on cap. It’s a matter of personal preference.

15) If I have both of my hoses on the same side, should I put a baffle in the tank?
A baffle should be put in the tank on a cross flow radiator if both hoses are on the same side. This assures that the engine coolant flows completely through the core. This baffle is always included with Griffin cross flow radiators. Down flow or double pass radiators do not require this baffle.