this was from another radiator thread and i think this is a good fight on how good the be cool radiators are
I got in a bind and went for the Be Cool. (Summit in stock, which shows up next day with regular shipping where I live.)
I must say now that it is installed, it is great. Previously I converted to the 1992 open style cooling and was running a 7 year old 3 core GDI or Modine, I can't recall which. I have put about 60K miles on the 3 core and keep the fins clean. My electric fan is the newer style XJ fan with a Summit temp swtich turning it on at 185F. I also have all the stock AC parts in place and running on the budget installed (esther oil and R134 charge with no other changes.) I had several years ago upgraded the fan clutch with a newer one that was 3.65 inches wide, while stock is 3.06. With the new
radiator I went back to the stock fan clutch for space. The HD version may have fit, but it was only going to be about 0.3 inches spacing. Too tight for my taste. With the stock fan clutch is has about I run the Energy Eurothane brand motor mounts so I would have likely been ok, since the are almost like solid mounts and don't flex much.
Other than that the install went smooth. Just know that the
radiator needs to be tilted forward to help with space while installing the fan/clutch assembly. This was the same as with the 3 core for me. Had to bend AC lines slightly where they U around the
radiator tank on the passenger side. Removed old stock trans cooler and replaced with much larger B&M cooler in the same place.
Engine is Renix 4L that is 30 over with about 80,000 since rebuild, with a mild cam upgrade, bored throttle body, 21lbs injectors, Borla header, stock 2 year old cat and muffler, MSD 6AL with SS coil. (Had the MSD stuff laying around, haven't noticed much change from the stock ignition.) I do plug readings now and them and the engine does not appear to run lean. All emission controls still in place and most less than 3 years old.
Jeep 1989 is lifted about 7 inches with 33x10.50x15 and 4.10 gears. D30 front and Ford 9 back. Heavy winch and bumper upfront. Stock hitch in back. All other interior and body is stock.
Before: at about 95F outside with Max AC on it would climb fast go to 230 and higher if I didn't shut off the AC during highway driving 65mph. This was worth about 15 minutes of AC time-basically worhtless and can't use the AC. City driving will overheat the engine with AC. With No AC on the Jeep would stay at about 210 unless it was pushed hard or towing 3000 lbs up hill for at least 15 minutes. Summer trips up to Tahoe (not towing) going 65-70 the engine would creep up to 230, slowing down to 55-60 the engine would stay at 210-220.
After: at about 95 on highway 65mph AC on MAX Jeep runs 195-200 and the AC IS SOOO COLD. (this equals happy wife). Can idle in driveway with AC on indefinitely and traffic is a breeze too. The Jeep engine temp now appears to be controlled by the thermostat. If pushed hard the engine shows no signs of temp change. Don't tow much and haven't tried yet.
Wish I would have done this along time ago. Even when the 3 core was brand new with the HD clutch fan the jeep was always riding the line of 210-220. The almost 600 for
Radiator and tranny cooler hurt my wallet for the old Jeep, but Heck Being Cool makes up for it (ha ha). Also I spend more than that on tires every few years.
I hope this helps you all. I gave as much info as possible so you can compare to your set ups. (or be bored with all the part blah blah)
with the poster claiming the info came from one of the XJ's engineers claming the chance was made when the 4.0 replaced the 2.5 and the 2.8 engines which both have the vertical flow radiator.
