Guide To Cooling LS Swapped Vehicles From 300-1,000 Horsepower

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With LS engine swaps becoming increasingly popular by the day, many companies are providing enthusiasts with solutions to make the swaps easier than ever. There are many different reasons as to why LS engines are the go-to swap for everything from classic muscle cars, to import cars. Due to the LS platform’s small size and legendary reliability, it’s become a favorite among enthusiasts worldwide.

One of the most common oversights during an LS swap is ignoring the cooling system components. We reached out to cooling system experts Be Cool to discuss what steps and components LS enthusiasts should pay attention to during a swap. All of Be Cool’s products are made right here in the USA, and they offer a variety of direct-fit radiators and electric fan modules.

Close up of Project Track Attack‘s Be Cool aluminum radiator and dual fan combination. We went with the direct-fit model, which is good for 700 horsepower. Part number: 80170

Closeup of Project Track Attack‘s Be Cool aluminum radiator and dual fan combination. We went with the direct-fit model, which is good for 700 horsepower. PN: 80170

What Makes A Be Cool Module

Be Cool LS Engine Swap Radiators

Billet filler necks ensure the radiator has strength and won’t crack from the stress of heat. And with its aluminum construction, these radiators are 50-percent lighter than most of the OEM radiators they replace. CAB-brazed and its non-epoxy construction make the radiators repairable, and includes an OEM sized brass petcock. Be Cool says this technology allows the radiator to cool the LS engine up to a minimum of 20 degrees cooler than OEM.

Be Cool offers hundreds of direct-fit radiators, electric fans, and radiator/fan modules that are designed specifically for cars with an LS engine swap. The modules include all of the necessary LS engine swap specific components, eliminating any guess-work when performing a swap. Every radiator they offer is engineered to use the correctly sized inlets and outlets, and the proper sized LS steam ports.

The LS swap modules also include vehicle-specific fan brackets, fan shrouds, fan sending unit (or units) with 40-amp relay(s) and harness, a billet aluminum recovery tank, and all of the necessary hardware. Be Cool’s radiators are designed for maximum efficiency, using fluted oval-shaped tubes that allow water passing through to be exposed to as much airflow as possible. Construction of the aluminum radiators are also epoxy-free, which ensures they won’t store any unwanted heat.

Fan Options

Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 2.25.01 PMHigh-torque electric fans allow for a consistent amount of airflow at any RPM. This is the reason why Be Cool only offers electric fan modules. Mechanical fans will only turn as fast as the water pump RPM to which it is attached, which is why older cars may overheat in traffic at idle or low RPM. Be Cool radiator and fan modules are built with puller fans as the standard, however, they can be replaced with pusher type if desired by the customer. Fan modules include all of the necessary components to convert from a mechanical fan to an electric fan for the LS swap. There are four types of fan designs Be Cool supplies:

  • Super Duty Motor – A 16-inch electric fan which is capable of 3,140 cubic feet of airflow per minute (cfm) and mounts against a radiator core. It is the highest-rated CFM fan available from manufacturer. It requires a high-amp alternator and Be Cool’s 40-amp waterproof relay to produce at peak performance.
  • High-Torque Motor – Features an enhanced motor design ensuring the best possible output from a reduced-depth electric fan, which benefits the life of the fan motor. It uses Be Cool’s “through-the-radiator” fan design and offers a tapered-protective grate-sealed, waterproof, high-performance electric motor. This fan motor also requires a high-amp alternator and a 40-amp waterproof relay.
  • Medium Profile Motor – Best for when you need maximum airflow, but don’t have the space for the a larger more powerful fan(s). It uses the same “European technology” as the high-torque fan, but in a smaller size with slightly-less CFM capability.
  • Thin Line Motor – Ideal for when space is a problem, or to use as a helper fan, intercooler fan, or as an A/C condenser fan. This is company’s smallest, versatile fan.

These images Be Cool has provided us explain the differences between pusher and puller type electric fans. It is extremely important to know the difference when purchasing a direct-fit module.

Knowing The Type of Fan Wiring Harness Kit You’ll Need

Once the proper electric fans and radiator has been selected and the wiring has been performed correctly, you’ll need to figure out if the current alternator is adequate enough to support the additional amperage draw from the new high-performance electric fans. – Justin Larocque, Be Cool

Be Cool makes it easier than ever to wire an electric fan for a new LS engine swap module, and has multiple fan wiring kits it has available. A complete installation instruction booklet is included with every module. Also included is an easy-to-follow wiring diagram. The fan(s) are triggered via a temperature switch and 40-amp relay combination. The system can also be wired to another controller, allowing a trigger for a relay. The 40-amp relay(s) are a waterproof design, and the temperature sending unit is designed to be compatible with factory air conditioning. These fan wiring harness kits can be used on any positive or negative ground 12-volt DC (direct current) engine with no modifications necessary.

Justin Larocque from Be Cool comments: “Once the proper electric fans and radiator has been selected, and the wiring has been performed correctly, you’ll need to figure out if the current alternator is adequate enough to support the additional amperage draw from the new high-performance electric fans.”

Pictured here is Single Fan Wiring Harness Kit from Be Cool. They're designed to work with all radiator and fan modules they offer.

Pictured here is Single Fan Wiring Harness Kit from Be Cool. They are designed to work with all radiator and fan modules offered. Jegs.com offers them as PN 134-75021

There are a couple of different choices when it comes to fan wiring harness kits. You can choose a kit with, or without, a temperature sending unit. You can also choose a kit that activates the fans at 210, 195, or 185 degrees, and turns them off once they’ve lowered to 190, 175, or 165 degrees. Optional as well are high-amp toggle switches for both dual and single electric fans which can be used with or without a temperature sending unit.

Choosing A New Radiator

The LS engine’s original cooling system was designed to fit in that engine’s original chassis, and will most likely will not fit in your new vehicle’s chassis without heavy modifications to it.

Be Cool’s LS swap modules are “vehicle specific” aluminum radiators that include everything necessary for the swap. You’ll want to consider that the old musclecar mechanical fans will not be up to the task of cooling a new LS engine. If you’re considering using LS engine donor parts, know that those components are living on clock that has already started ticking from the junkyard.

We asked Larocque the disadvantages of using an OEM cooling system from a donor vehicle when performing an LS swap, to which he replied, “The LS engine’s original cooling system was designed to fit in that engine’s original chassis, and will most likely not fit in your new vehicle’s chassis without heavy modifications to it.” He continued with, “Our LS swap modules remove the guess work by providing you with the correct sized hoses, the correct inlet and outlet locations, a steam port, and the proper mounting locations for the recipient vehicle.”

Be Cool offers several different direct-fit radiator options for the LS swap modules:

  • Be Cool LS Swap Direct-Fit Module for a '67-'69 Camaro with a LS1.

    • Direct-Fit Dual one-inch Core Aluminum Radiator
    • Dual 11-inch Euro-Black Electric Fans
    • Wiring Harness with Temperature Control Sending Unit and 40 Amp Relays
    • Stainless Steel and/or Aluminum Electric Fan Mounting Brackets with Hardware
    • Diamond-Cut Aluminum Coolant Recovery Tank
    • Billet Aluminum Round-Style Radiator Cap
    • Dimensions: 29-inch width by 19-inch height
    • Pressure tested up to 700 horsepower
    • PN 134-81241 on Jegs
    Aluminator Series – This is a great choice for the budget-minded enthusiast. This module features performance grade dual one-inch core aluminum construction in a natural aluminum finish. A single 16-inch medium-profile electric fan includes mounting brackets, and OEM sized inlets and outlets. It also includes modules that are available in either a 300 or 350 horsepower version.
  • Classic Series – This module is very similar to the Aluminator Series, having the same radiator and features as above, with the difference of being available in 400, 700, and 1,000 horsepower versions. The 400 horsepower version features a single 16-inch high-torque fan. The 700 horsepower version includes dual 11-inch shrouded high-torque fans, and the 1,000 horsepower model comes with dual 13-inch, high-torque fans for extra cooling ability. Keep in mind, all versions of the Classic Series will include the necessary fan mounting brackets and hardware.
  • Show & Go Series – Identical to the Classic Series, the only difference here is the finish, which on the Show & Go series is polished.
  • Extreme Tri-Five Series – The biggest and baddest module available. If the term “Tri-Five” doesn’t sound familiar, know that it is used exclusively for ’55-’57 Chevrolets. Choose from either a 700 or 1,000 horsepower version. Both feature Be Cool’s dual one-inch core aluminum radiator and dual 11-inch shrouded high-torque fans with billet covers. They also feature optional stainless-steel mounting brackets (in lieu of aluminum), a machined aluminum radiator cap, and hand-fabricated aluminum overflow tank and windshield washer reservoir. Available options on the Extreme Tri-Five also include: aluminum A/C condenser trimmed in stainless steel, lightened aluminum mounting brackets, pre-bent polished hard lines, or A/C wiring harness.
While we're definitely aware Project Track Attack's Be Cool module isn't for an LS swap, we wanted to include the image anyways to highlight the similarities in the LS swap modules. Our Be Cool radiator module is rated at 700 horsepower, included dual 11-inch SPAL fans, and an optional 7-plate cooler for our automatic transmission. Also included were the aluminum mounting brackets, wiring harness and dual 40-amp relays, and an aluminum recovery tank.

While we’re definitely aware Project Track Attack‘s Be Cool module isn’t for an LS swap, we wanted to include the image to highlight the similarities in the LS swap modules. Our Be Cool radiator module is rated at 700 horsepower. It included dual 11-inch SPAL fans, and an optional 7-plate cooler for our automatic transmission. Also included were the aluminum mounting brackets, wiring harness and dual 40-amp relays, and an aluminum recovery tank. Available as PN 80170 on Jegs.com

Larocque also comments on Be Cool’s Bone Yard Series, which is an LS swap-specific universal aluminum radiator series. He states: “As the originator of the Direct-Fit Module Cooling System, Be Cool now has direct-fit modules for a variety of different LS swaps, and we’re constantly adding new part numbers every day to keep up with this demand. We also have available dimension-specific downflow or crossflow LS swap universal radiators for the budget-minded enthusiast, which is our new Bone Yard Series. These radiators are dual one-inch cores with .80-inch wall aluminum tanks, flanges, billet necks, and drain petcock. These are a lot of different dimensions you can choose from, from as small as 26-inches by 17-inches, to as large as 31.5-inches by 24-inches, and everything in between.”

It’s important to note that the Bone Yard Series modules are universal radiators only, and do not include the Direct-Fit LS swap components such as fans, wiring harnesses, etc.

Keeping Cool 100 Percent of The Time

coolantcompThe type of coolant used will also play a critical role in the cooling of any engine. Larocque comments, “Obviously your choice in coolant will play a major role in the health of your cooling system. A mistake we commonly see is the type of water that individuals will use to mix with their coolant. Tap water is the absolutely worst type of water an individual can allow into their cooling system. This is due to the minerals and other additives found in tap water. The proper mixture should be 50 percent deionized water and 50 percent antifreeze. Electrolysis can also damage your cooling system. A good recommendation is to check for clean and proper grounds.

“We’ve simplified this process by manufacturing our own coolant, which is the Be Cool Super Duty Coolant & Antifreeze. Be Coolant is available as a premixed 50/50 coolant, which uses deionized water and propylene glycol. Our coolant has a recommended life span of seven years, or 300,000 miles, of extended-life protection that is ideal for all performance and severe duty applications. And, most importantly, our coolant is made right here in the USA. Keep in mind: if you do choose to fill your cooling system with Be Coolant Super Duty Coolant & Antifreeze, it will extend your warranty an additional year.”

We’d like to thank Justin Larocque with Be Cool again for giving us a hand when it comes to LS swap cooling components. Don’t forget to check out Be Cool’s website for all of your application needs.

Article Sources

About the author

Harrison Noble

Living in San Diego for most of his life, Harrison was exposed to a variety of cars at an early age. His passion for anything that is fast, or has a V8, brought him to Power Automedia.
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