Just finishing up a 383 install and I'm replacing the stock radiator with the BeCool; I already had the Meziere on and the shroud cut back for clearance. Mine didn't have the fitment notes in the box (I just found out about them by doing a search), so needless to say I didn't bend the lower tank area of the radiator support yet. My question is, with the right amount of bending of the lower tray, is it necessary to modify the stock upper holddown piece at all? if so its no big deal, but I'll have to get another one since I don't want to cut up the original (it has the SLP build sticker on it, in the highly unlikely event I ever want to restore this car).There is very little clearance right now between the fan shroud (I didn't bolt up the fans assemblies yet) and the pump, but I think it will be ok once I bend the lower tray. Nothing a little more cutting won't fix at least. Anybody running this combo? Pics would be great if you have them. Thanks a lot!

 

I'm running a Be-cool rad on a 1997 Camaro SS w/383 MM6 trans and a D1 blower. Also have the Mez electric WP (knocked out the WP drive gear and bearing). The Mez WP may require some mod on the stock fan schroud (it's tight). My ATI-D1 drive pulley had interfearance with the stock fans, so I replaced stock fans with (2) low profile flex-lite 12's. Fabbed my own fan brackets (attached directly to the rad) and cut the D1 idler pulley down for clearance. The top rad plastic retainer fit tight, but worked (I have also replaced it with my own alum pieces - plastic piece is now gone). Also, I would purchase the round rad cap. I had to cut access hole in the SS hood for clearance. I did not modify the lower rad motor compartment mount. The Be-cool fit good in the stock rubber mount. I have pics, but I do not have high speed I-net comm. I could E-mail if you send me a message.
Hope this helps. Brad

 

Thanks for the help! I fixed the radiator cradle, and got the radiator mounted using the stock holddown plate. My radiator lower insulators were missing ,so I made new ones out of some thick foam rubber I had in the shop. The stock fan on the passenger side didn't leave enough clearance, even with the extensive cutting I had done when I originally installed the Meziere, and after thinking about spacing the fan blade closer to the radiator so I could cut the shroud down more, I found a better solution. There is plenty of clearance between the stock fan shroud and the radiator- enough clearance to mount the fan in front of the stock fan holder/shroud, rather than behind it like Chevy did. I did have to cut out some of the plastic on both pieces, but with a cutoff wheel and a sanding disc it only took a few minutes. I was able to bolt the fan assembly back up, using the stock bolts but inserting them from the other side. There doesn't appear to be any danger of the fan contacting the radiator, and clearance with the water pump is more than adequate. After all the $$$ spent on the 383, the rad, and the pump, I really didn't want to have to buy and mount new fans, since i'm NA and didn't have other clearance issues. I'll try to post pics at some point, but if anyone wants them sooner and has a camera phone Pm me a phone number and I'll send them.