Spectra radiators - drop in quality

[Stocker]

I put a radiator in my '85 last fall. I didn't think it was really necessary to go with a brass one on this car so I bought the aluminum Spectra since they're well-reputed. But as it turns out, Spectra recently outsourced the aluminum ones to China, and ruined the design in the process. I had to notch out the top rail to get the brackets to fit (awful picture, sorry), and the overflow fitting is now directly parallel with the radiator instead of angled so it points right at the overflow tank and there's barely room to fit the hose on without collapsing it.





Just a heads-up for anyone expecting the quality that Spectra used to have. The radiator has performed properly so far and it probably isn't any worse than any other cheap ones, but if I had to do it over again I'd pay the extra for the brass.

[EaOutlaw1969]

I have known Spectra to supply cheap radiators that normally sort of fit most of the time but not always without some sort of modification.

I personally would never modify my car to fit a cheap radiator unless I was in dire need of my car and had no other choice.

Sorry you had to hack your ride up.

[kishy]

I'm pretty sure I've only bought one Spectra rad, but I found it was a perfect drop-in replacement, everything angled and positioned exactly right, and cooling system performance was not degraded at all.

However, this was 5 years ago. It was a CU227 (91 MGM application), and was made in Canada. It was noticeably heavier, as I recall, than the Chinese-made one of a different brand that I put in my Lincoln years later.

[GM_Guy]

I have had multiple spectra's over the years (its about the only thing they sell up here) and I have found the fit to be spot on. The most surprising was the Plastic Aluminum I put in my '73 Nova. Best fit rad I ever had for that car. Pretty much all their aluminum plastic rads are made in China.

Alex.

[Stocker]

I have known Spectra to supply cheap radiators that normally sort of fit most of the time but not always without some sort of modification.

I personally would never modify my car to fit a cheap radiator unless I was in dire need of my car and had no other choice.

Sorry you had to hack your ride up.

Oh, I didn't have to do anything to my car, I just hacked up the radiator. The car had been out of commission long enough already and I was tired of having to drive my truck, so rather than return it (and risk it being damaged in shipping as well) I just made it fit.

[GM_Guy]

Odd, gotta wonder whats up with Spectra on that design choice, (email them with your pictures, they seem responsive to feedback).
Their plastic aluminum rads (CU547, CU556) have the side facing outlet, their HD rad (CU552) has the angled outlet.

http://ecat.spectrapremium.com/vehicles/188679/products

Alex.

[knucklehead0202]

Weird, gotta check what brand i had in the wrecked car, it was brand-new install when all the top-end stuff went it and fit perfect. It's still in the garage waiting to go in the new car.

[sxcpotatoes]

Due to this thread, I decided to check the price of the HD radiator, CU552 again, and hot damn did I get a great deal on Amazon. Only $133.94 (142.65 tax included, now it's back up to $202.78 when I just checked after completing the order). That's the one great thing about Amazon, if nobody buys something for a long time, the price on remaining stock drops until someone finally makes a purchase. I couldn't find any cheaper online than around $230 before when I was looking. So it might be worth it to bookmark a few parts you know you'll need eventually, and keep track of the ordinary price. https://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Premi...70_&dpSrc=srch

It had only showed 1 in stock with more on the way, and now for some reason it shows 2 in stock (with 4-5 day prime shipping), so I don't know what's up with that.

[GM_Guy]

Might be a natural price hike from the wholesaler getting passed along with the new stock.

[sxcpotatoes]

Might be a natural price hike from the wholesaler getting passed along with the new stock.

Nah, I'd been keeping an eye on the price (because I probably need one for the '88 Arizona Wagon I'm buying from Jaywish). Cheapest prices I could find online for the HD model were around $210-230ish with Amazon being the lowest. This is why I was ecstatic to find the price was $140 & change yesterday, and when I checked it again today it was even lower.

[Toploader]

It is two years since I put in the same CU224 made in Canada in my '86 Tudor.......no problems!

I'm pretty sure I've only bought one Spectra rad, but I found it was a perfect drop-in replacement, everything angled and positioned exactly right, and cooling system performance was not degraded at all.

However, this was 5 years ago. It was a CU227 (91 MGM application), and was made in Canada. It was noticeably heavier, as I recall, than the Chinese-made one of a different brand that I put in my Lincoln years later.

[gadget73]

Something worth a mention, check the voltage in the coolant. If you've got missing grounds, you will read voltage from negative to the coolant itself, and that will cause the radiator to eat itself away. Its also NFG for the heater core, same reason.

[Toploader]

Update:
If you want the best money can buy, then contact Griffin Radiators and order p/n 7-70150, which is a direct drop in for all box cars........from 1979-1987, it may fit those into the 90's........but call and speak to "Pam" and she will set you straight.

[Rodentkiller]

I just looked up the radiator and it will not work on a 1990-91 Crown Vict's and Merc Grand Marq'sdue to the size being slightly off and the inlet being 1-1/4 on the griffen where as the CV GMQ are 1-1/2 in just thought I let you know.

[Rodentkiller]

edt: you are better off going to Radiator Express they have the radiator you will need.