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1970-81 F-Body 2nd Gen Firebird/Trans Am
Pontiac V8 1970-81 F-Body 2nd Gen Firebird/Trans Am
Behind the Long Nose — 1970-81 F-Body 2nd Gen Firebird/Trans Am for Pontiac V8s
The 1970-81 Firebird and Trans Am has a wide radiator opening, which is good news for cooling a big Pontiac V8 behind that long nose. Choice here comes down to transmission, how much airflow you need at idle, and whether the electrical system can feed the fans you pick.
Butler stocks Cold Case direct-fit aluminum radiators in automatic and manual versions, Entropy radiator and dual-fan systems up to 1000 horsepower, and Ron Davis fan and shroud kits that include upper and lower radiator supports.
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1. Cold Case direct fit
The Cold Case second-gen radiator measures 18 inches core height by 27.5 inches core width, 18.75 by 32.5 inches overall, 2.2 inches thick, with two rows of 1 inch tubes. It is a direct-fit upgrade that leaves the engine bay looking stock.
| Automatic | includes the built-in transmission cooler for second-generation automatics. |
| Manual | the same core without the trans cooler, for owners who want modern cooling behind the factory grille. |
2. Entropy dual-fan systems, and the amperage problem
| Up to 600 horsepower | two rows of 1 inch tubes with dual 11 inch HP fans for 3000 CFM. Entropy rates this model 100 horsepower lower behind a Pontiac than a Chevy and does not recommend it with more than a 500 horsepower Pontiac engine, especially 400 and 455 combinations. |
| Up to 1000 horsepower | two rows of 1-1/4 inch tubes with dual 13 inch fans for 5600 CFM total. Overall dimensions are 33 inches wide by 19 inches high by 7-1/4 inches deep. |
| Two-speed control is not optional | Entropy calls its FC03 two-speed controller mandatory with the 13 inch fans. Those fans pull about 20 amps each running, with in-rush current up to 35 amps each, so starting both at once drops roughly a 70 amp hammer on the alternator. That is why headlights dim and an engine can stumble when the fans kick on. At low speed the pair pulls about 20 amps with a manageable 30 amp in-rush, and stepping up to high speed adds another 30. |
3. Fabricated kits and shrouds
| Ron Davis 70-81 Firebird kits | two rows of 1 inch wide tubes, dual Spal electric fans at 3541 CFM combined, aluminum shroud, with or without an automatic transmission cooler. Upper and lower radiator supports are included, and production lead time runs an estimated 8 to 10 weeks. |
| Shroud kit for the Cold Case core | the Fast Monty dual 14 inch Spal kit is designed for Cold Case GPF18 cores and can be flipped over to mount the fans higher or lower, with slotted mounting holes top and bottom. |
| Insulators | Cold Case rubber radiator insulators fit 1970-81 Firebird and Trans Am. Two pair are needed per car. |
Not sure what your Pontiac needs?
Call our tech team at 866-762-7527. Tell us your engine, heads, car, and power goal, and we will put the parts together as one combination that works.