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Like others my radiator plastic tanks and connections are turning to cheese and the side tanks are leaking, so I researced many all aluminum replacement radiators. I found good purchase satisfaction from what seems to be a distribution source out of California being sold through a number of various names, all the radiators seem to be manufactured from one Chinese source - my evaluation after research of all the "distributors" with all sports of names.
All of the various online distributor photos appear to be the same radiator but packaged for or by each distributor with their name on it
So I bought this one pictured that appears to have all the correct brackets in the correct locations, except that the main hose nozzles are tilted up a few degrees as opposed to be perpendicular to the tank. It uses a 5 row core which is I think two or three rws thicker than the stndard radiator with plastic tanks, so flow and cooling surface ares "should" be increased, and backpressure after the thermostat "should be less.
Unboxing the GPI Racing All Aluminum 5 row core radiator, in plastic the GPI Racing All Aluminum 5 row core radiator engine side the GPI Racing All Aluminum 5 row core radiator, right engine side Pump Outlet - radiator inlet
the GPI Racing All Aluminum 5 row core radiator, left Engine side drain The GPI Racing All aluminum radiator, engine left side supports and ports
My inspection of this radiator shows, in my opinion, to be good quality consstruction and very uniform welding of all welds.
Now to get the old stock radiator out without removing the AC line, and then installing this new one without damaging anything back into the very tight location. 18 year old parts may not want to bend out of the way more than one bend.
Power steering hoses are leaking so those will be removed and replaced while I have "some" minimal additional room, (who am I kidding ...) and the list of things on the top side of the motor - intake manifold leaks and fuel system DPO/DPM botches will be corrected - but that is another subject.
After ordering two radiators, with fans, i found one radiators top mounting stud was crooked.
They offered me a credit, to get it repaired, that seemed fair.
Then i discovered the front of radiator had no mounting points for the A/C coil & oil cooler.
They sent me a return shipping label for one radiator & fan, said just keep the others.
What about your radiator's A/C, & oil cooler mounting points, are they there?
Being so thick, am also curious if the stock fan will fit into the alowed space.
The A/C, & oil cooler, may have plenty of space in front to be mounted.
Seeing as i have two Jaguars, & my 04 now needs a new one.
Purchased one from Auto Zone, that looks like the stock one so far.
Am in the process of changing the old one out.
Am presently at the point, where everything is disconected, except the A/C line.
Still looking to see about not disconnecting it, & things are not looking too good
Can then see if the aluminum one, could be made to work with the stock fan.
Their fan only has a two wire connection, so it is not a plug & play fan.
Good Luck To You
WOW did you save me a heap of time and learning new cusswords!!
I think, maybe I could have made things fit with the stock fan setup and the added thickness by modifying some things, but the missing plastic mounts on the front of the radiator tanks toi and bottom for the condenser is not resolvable without additional custom made bracketry to attach to something else, or weld something to the radiator tanks.
Those condenser brackets in front of the radiator I totally spaced as when I skimmed the mounting, I saw what I envisioned to be a separate metal bracket setup. It was not until I took a harder look that yes, the bracketry for holding the condenser IS molded plastic onto the front of the radiator at four points, left and right, top and bottom!!!
Fortunately this was an Ebay "guaranteed to fit" purchase, so return time and source another radiator.
GPI Racing missing Condenser Brackets right front. 2005 X350 AJ33 Radiator Bottom Left Front Condesner Bracket 2005 X350 AJ33 Radiator Top Left Front Condesner Bracket 2005 X350 AJ33 Radiator Bottom Right Front Condesner Bracket 2005 X350 AJ33 Radiator Top Right Front Condesner Bracket GPI Racing missing Condenser Brackets left front
Glad to help out, StagByTriumph;
Believe i will take my Free Aluminum Radiator.
Along with the 04's removed one, to the radiator shop.
Will see if there is room for it in the 07.
If so, will have it modified.
If not, find it a new home.
Glad to help out, StagByTriumph;
Believe i will take my Free Aluminum Radiator.
Along with the 04's removed one, to the radiator shop.
Will see if there is room for it in the 07.
If so, will have it modified.
If not, find it a new home.
You were fortunate to get a freebie to experiment with. Definately worth to see what a weld shop might come up with.
I'd be interested to see what modifications are made to add brackets for holding the condenser, and what other modifications are necessary for the added thickness.
The type of aluminum is also an issue. I note that aluminum seems very soft when I test bent the fan cowl mounting points, almost as soft like alumiweld sticks. The radiator does not appear to have much alloy for hardness or even corrosion enhancement which could be another concern if it is not protected.
So the welder needs to know about Chineese aluminum to select the correct rod and temperatures. Adding brackets to the thin metal tanks might be tricky without melting through the thin aluminum.
If your radiator is like the one I got, I would bet I could melt it with a propane or mapp gas torch.
Do take photos and post them.
One thing I note with the thicker radiator 5 row core is the mounting of the expansion tank which sits against the stock radiator fan cowling, and having sufficient room for the various hoses on the engine side of the radiator so they are not too close to other moving parts.
Things are very tight there and loosing an inch of space is significant for clearance for a lot of stuff.
Good luck!
BTW, If you are riding a "Wing", I'm riding a CB900C - photos in the Pub discussion.
Last edited by StagByTriumph; May 22, 2023 at 05:48 PM.
Another needed modification would be the trans lines to the radiator.
Different sized diameter,.where they thread into the radiator
So a long rubber hose would be yet another, necessary modifaction.
Getting way to complicated at this point, may look into it later, maybe not.
Another needed modification would be the trans lines to the radiator.
Different sized diameter,.where they thread into the radiator
So a long rubber hose would be yet another, necessary modifaction.
Getting way to complicated at this point, may look into it later, maybe not.
Well yes, mine came with adapters with hose barbs that I noted would also be a PITA. So it is now returned, 100% refunded, new OEM type ordered for $90 and received today, exact form and fit.
So much for trying to upgrade to something else to eliminate plastic for a tight fit.
So while the transmission lines are disconnected, time to R/R the transmission fluid along with the laundry list of other things to fix.
Aluminum Radiator & fan for 2004 & 2007 Jaguars XJ8
International Buyers – Please Note:
All Aluminum Radiators
Aluminum replacement Radiators, missing brackets
