So are you relocating your IAT sensor in the meantime? Post a part number for the grommet if you find one. I think I am getting better about hijacking threads and making it seem like I'm not.

 

GM Part# 12338042 is a grommet for a brake booster that might work with an IAT sensor depending on what sensor you have.

 

okay, getting closer. I have a few questions i am hoping you guys can help me out with. I just got hold of a Dmax radiator to use with my setup. I am looking at my current radiator and notice my lower radiator hose is like none i have ever seen. First, its got some sort of wierd connection to the radiator. Is it a quick connect? I see some sort of snap ring or something but cant really tell. Second, on my radiator, i have no radiator cap, it fills through the overflow tank....which i knew about and understand, but the thing is, that the "heater hose" and the "overflow tank fill hose" both drop straight down to the large lower radiator hose and "tee" into it about 3 inches away from the radiator inlet connection. Is this also how the diesel radiators are?

Now onto the next issue, it looks like the diesel radiator is a 2 row radiator. It also has a 1-7/8" inlet on the bottom. My radiator is a 1 row radiator and has what looks like a 1-1/2" inlet. The difference in rows is no big deal, i will get more cooling efficiency, however the different inlet size is a concern. I guess my question on this whole thing is.....with this odd "quick connect" lower radiator hose fitting, If i cant make my current lower radiator hose to work with the new Dmax radiator, what are my options? Other than the dealer, which i am sure by looking at this hose (if any of you have seen this thing you know what i am talking about) is gonna run me $200, and still wont be a match because the Dmax hose is a different shape. I know i could get a 2" to 1-1/2 fernco coupling from the plumbing supply, but i was trying to keep this MOD looking as stock as possible.

Third, since the Dmax radiator has no engine oil cooler built in, I am going to run an auxillary cooler in front of the A/C condensor, sort of like the auxilary trany cooler thats already out there. Again, it looks like GM used some sort of different connection method for the oil and trany cooler lines. They appear to be 1/2" lines running for both. Is there a tool to remove these lines from the radiator? Looks like it may be a tool similar to the fuel line/fuel rail disconnect tool but i am not sure. I can see it looks like there is a place to put a wrench and back it out like the older style fittings, but the closer i look at it, the more it looks like a quick disconnect.

Finally (lol), is a question about the fan. I have a fan shroud on the way because i wasnt sure if my shroud was the same dimensions or not, and it only cost me about $60 for the upper and lower sections. My fan is about 21" in diameter, is this close to what the Dmax fans are too? Would i be better off with a Dmax fan than with my 5 blade fan? I can get just the fan for about $50 and bolt on my clutch if you think that would work to my advantage, or should i stick with my stock 8.1L fan?

here are a couple shots to help out....

This one is of that lower radiator hose connection. Notice the elbow with the two other hoses "tee'ing" in. I wonder if i could find just that elbow someplace? Doubt it.



Here is a couple of the oil/trany line fittings




This is just a shot of my fan shroud and fan. That big thing in the front lower left of the picture is my Allison TCM and cover.



Thanks for any advice or help you can give.

 

In the next to the last picture, you can see the purple clip that is the only thing holding the cooler line in.
Try a radiator shop. I know that some brass radiators used to have dual-size necks. If they don't have one they can order it, and instead of using it as a neck, you can use it as a reducing coupler for the hoses. The only evidence will be two hose clamps, and it will fit, I don't think your plumbing fitting would.

 

what about the fan? Would i benifit from getting a Dmax fan and will it work with my stock clutch? Does the Dmax fan pull more air than the gas fans?

 

UPDATE:

Looks as if the 8.1L (mine) has a 1-13/16" inlet at the bottom. I am not going to sweat 1/16", i can make that connection work... One problem solved. If i get the rest of my parts in this week....i should be geting started on this next weekend.

 

Looks like things should get started this weekend. Another question, and it really doesnt matter at this point......but i gotta ask. I have been trying to find all the info i can on intercooling and such. Flow rates, PSI drop, Tank designs, bar and plate, tube and fin, etc. Trying to get an idea if the Dmax intercooler is going to be too big? I mean I know it will work fine, but i am wondering if it will not be as efficient passing say 800 - 1100cfm with my 2.3L whipple as its is passing whatever cfm is generated by the Dmax turbo. Is there such a thing as to big? This I/C has enormous direct airflow surface area. I think the core is 19"x37"x1.5". Thats all right out front with nothing to impede air flow except the small trany and oil coolers. I would imagine this thing should really cool the charge down, but was looking for someone a little more knowlegable about how to properly size an intercooler to the engine. Remember, I have the 8.1L engine and the w140ax 2.3L whipple compressor with a max output of 1275 cfm.

 

Im just gonna keep talking here so dont mind me...LOL. I have found some more info on the Behr Intercooler made by Behr for GM GMT800 trucks. One of the specs shows a 1.7psi drop across the I/C @ 38psi. Is there a way to convert that to find the psi drop at say 10psi? I am not quite ready to get the .375" pulley yet that would yield me that kind of psi..

 

i would like to know also. maybe there is some kind of math problem to figure this out. sorry i have no help. but i don't think that is that bad of a drop.

 

Just finished making my templates for the intake inlet and the blower outlet. I will be cutting them out of some 1/2" stock at work tomorrow. I will get the 3" tube welded in on Saturday. Got the upper and lower fan shroud in today as well. Radiator is scheduled for drop off tomorrow. Man im gettin anxious to get this sucker rollin!

Yea, that didnt seem like to bad a drop for that amount of pressure to me either, but i would like someone with experience in this to chime in just to be sure.