jimmy p's H3 Build

[cgalpha08]

Parts started to come in for 2022 upgrades. New ecp radiator. Confirmed it would not fit with the factory alpha clutch fan as gpcalero warned me. Working on some core support and radiator mount modifications to make space. Looks like I will need to make a new shroud as well.Attachment 28144Attachment 28143Attachment 28145

Thanks for being the guinea pig on this. Ill be following to see what all you have to modify to get it to fit properly.

[Gpcalero]

Well damn!! I knew it wouldn't fit with the mechanical fan. Endeavored and Cgalpha both contacted the company and they were both told it would fit. They most likely only assume it would fit with the fan/shroud on an 3.5/3.7 I5 engine H3.

I'm glad you went this direction and heeded my warning lol. Did you fab the radiator mounts and alter the top of the radiator yourself? What are you doing towards the top if so?


BTW: For anyone else reading this, it WILL fit an Alpha H3, you will just need to run an e-fan setup. Now we know the mechanical fan/shroud won't work.

[jimmy p]

I called ECP also and the rep there told me it likely wouldn't clear. I was going to get him some measurements to verify but ended up just taking a chance knowing I could likely mod the core support. The thicker radiator core moves the face of the radiator about 1.25 to 1.5" closer to the fan. As shown above it does indeed fit into the stock h3 core support and mounts. I can probably check the 5cyl fan shroud if anyone is interested.

The radiator doesn't have any mods yet in the pictures. and to my surprise actually came with the aluminum side brackets. More to come over the next week.


I measured the capacity of the oem radiator and ecp as a comparison. Oem radiator was 0.7 gallons and ECP was 1.6 gallons. Which brings the factory capacity from 3.6 gallons to 4.5 gallons which is about a 25% increase.

[amrg]

Interesting. On my griffin the fan did fit but my issue was it hit the intake coming out of the manifold. Only way around this was to go with a truck intake which raises the whole tubing 4" UP. I didnt check how much clearancr was left though.
The griffin is 1.6" thicker btw but probably build differently.
Several things to keep in mind with your setup, the body moves, The clutch fan also moves forward when working at full speed, depending on torque and engine mount conditions, the engine may move. All those need to be accounted for fan to radiator clearance as you dont want it slicing thru the radiator core.

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[jimmy p]

Interesting. On my griffin the fan did fit but my issue was it hit the intake coming out of the manifold. Only way around this was to go with a truck intake which raises the whole tubing 4" UP. I didnt check how much clearancr was left though.
The griffin is 1.6" thicker btw but probably build differently.
Several things to keep in mind with your setup, the body moves, The clutch fan also moves forward when working at full speed, depending on torque and engine mount conditions, the engine may move. All those need to be accounted for fan to radiator clearance as you dont want it slicing thru the radiator core.

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Thanks for the input, in my mind I can't picture how that thick of a radiator can fit with the ac condenser and oem clutch fan without modifying the core support. Are you running a truck water pump and acc spacing with factory engine and trans mounts? I have conversion mounts on the engine but the distance from the trans mount to fan clutch h should be the same.

I was able to make the radiator fit with minor trimming of the core support, shifting the lower mounts on the radiator by 3/4" and sectioning the top mounts bracket. I decided to do further trimming of the top core support and add a piece of 1" angle across the whole top to gain just a little more space and support to prevent the radiator from moving. I should have about 7/8" clearance now. With my super tight aftermarket engine mounts I am hoping it will be OK. I still need to see if I can fit the ac condenser now.

[amrg]

Well I first mounted the griffin using the side plastic mounts for the H3 oem radiator. I used all the H3 oem accessory brackets and also the H3(truck) water pump so the hoses point to the passenger side. I didnt need to space anything out to fit the radiator and condensor, but spaced thr support later on to fit a big ass fan infront of the condesor.
In the picture i had a 4.1" fan mounted directly on the radiator (dont do it like i did), water pump to rad clearance is more like 3.8"

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[cgalpha08]

Jimmy,
what was the reason for adjusting the lower mounts, general fitment or raising/ lowering where it normally sits?

[jimmy p]

Jimmy,
what was the reason for adjusting the lower mounts, general fitment or raising/ lowering where it normally sits?

Height remains the same. I basically slid the aluminum mount 3/4" on the vertical adapter mount to move the radiator 3/4" further into the core support. Shown in the second picture. The first picture shows the part in red that needs to be trimmed and the green arrows represent the piece that needs to be bent forward or trimmed off.

[jimmy p]

Radiator is in. Moving it 3/4 inch into the core support resulted in a solid inch clearance to the fan clutch which I am happy with. I ended up building new side brackets out of 2x3 steel split in two. Factory top mount was sectioned 3/4" as well. It allowed for better mounts to my custom fan shroud and ac condenser. I also added some hood vents and alpha exhaust manifold shields to try to reduce underhood temps this summer.

[06 H3]

Badass!

Are all the mounts you attached your brackets to from the factory or did you tig mounts onto the rad?

[jimmy p]

Factory mounting locations on the ecp radiator and factory mount locations on the h3 body. As mentioned had to modify the core support to accommodate the whole setup shifted forward 3/4".

[jimmy p]

Working in a gullwing window and storage for a fire extinguisher, tow ropes etc that I want easy access to.

[RamRod]

That new cargo door is looking great!

[scoreh3]

The cargo doors look great ! I’m looking forward to following your storage are built. The whole build looks great.

[Gpcalero]

Radiator is in. Moving it 3/4 inch into the core support resulted in a solid inch clearance to the fan clutch which I am happy with. I ended up building new side brackets out of 2x3 steel split in two. Factory top mount was sectioned 3/4" as well. It allowed for better mounts to my custom fan shroud and ac condenser. I also added some hood vents and alpha exhaust manifold shields to try to reduce underhood temps this summer.

Hey I know those! 13-14 Coyote Mustang hood vents lol.