shakedown067

My radiator just popped a leak in the stinking plastic shell and was curious what type of radiator ya'll would suggest. I plan on doing some occasional autocrossing and maybe a road race or two a year. Is a factory replacement fine or would something like a becool be worth the money for the light racing I'd be doing? Going to replace the radiator hoses with silicone ones and drop in a 160 degree stat while I'm at it. Any recommendations for where to get my radiator from are welcome as well. Thanks!

VetteDrmr

I'd go back stock. Yeah, you might want to get an aftermarket rad later on, but it sounds like you're just now getting started.

BTW, remember that a t'stat regulates how cold an engine will be allowed to run, not how hot. That's determined by a. radiator capability and b. when fans turn on (for when you're stopped in traffic). Both a 160 and a 190 t'stat will be fully open when the coolant is at 200.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

shakedown067

Yeah, the 160 stat has nothing to do with autocrossing, just daily driving. Thanks for the info.

Slalom4me

I have a DeWitt's radiator in an '89 and recommend it highly. If you
are determined to go aftermarket, choose wisely - the DeWitt truly
is a 'direct-fit', the same can not be said for the two other vendor's
products. If needs dictate, DeWitts also offers Spal fan kits to
increase air movement at low vehicle speeds. As a forum supporter,
DeWitts periodically offers group purchase savings to members.
Great products, great service, great support.

Having said that, member Tom Piper has argued that an OEM
replacement radiator will restore cooling to levels sufficient for many
owners and at a great savings over an aftermarket rad. For my
purposes aftermarket was best, but for someone with a stock engine
(used primarily on the road above gridlock speed), try a replacement
first.

My vote is to pass on the silicon hoses and the 160ºF thermostat.

.

Aardwolf

If you don't need more cooling, don't add extra weight.

SDF

One Choice....... Ron Davis radiator w/oil cooler from DRM.

BrianCunningham

Who are you running with and what class?

Aftermarket radiator work great, but they bump your class

Spinner_89

I've seen screens for c5's that help keep debris from being sucked up - Would the help keep our C4 rad's any cleaner ?? does anyone make them for c4's ??

SDF

Sorry Brian, wasn't thinking about the rules. I do the track day thing and that was one of the best upgrades that I did. I have no cooling issues what so ever { knock on wood }. Did you ever install your coil-overs and the new trailing arms?

Lichen

I have a Ron Davis and it was the best mod that I ever bought!

Solo2GS

Keep class in mind when changing the radiator. SCCA A-stock will not allow and after market radiator although I am sure you can find a stock alluminum replacement.

Personally I run a Dewitt w/ intergrated engine oil cooler in both my C4 & C5. If you are going the track route and do it a lot you will need an engine oil cooler. It will definate help keep the oil temp down. They are a bit spendy though...

Changing the T-stat alone on a 96' will have no affect. The fans are controlled by the computer and to change the settings you need to find someone that can reprogram it. Its hard to find anyone that can do that these days to a C4...

the blur

my 1996 all stock c4 runs cool on the track. stock rad, with 160 stat, and a hypertech fan re-program. never ran over 205-210F while on track, even on the hottest days.
that's why I'm so hesitant to move up to a Z06.

BrianCunningham

The manual switch for the fans that Mid-America sells is a nice mod. Just don't kill the battery with it or the alternator will fry itself trying to keep up with it.

Solo2GS

I never had problems with water temp on the track with the stock radiator. Keeping oil temp below 290-300F was a major problem! 100F+ air temperature while running all out for 20-30 minutes and my oil temp would sky rocket rather quickly. This was my reasoning for upgrading my radiator with an intergrated EOC. Not a problem anymore with the EOC.

The Z06 actually runs slightly cooler then my C4, both on the street and on the track. Definately more fun to drive like night and day!

shakedown067

I've already got enough mods that it'll through me up in class. I'm not going for trophies, just fun and to put the car through the paces.

I actually got a powerprogramer used just so I could change when my fans come on. I just changed my water pump and forgot to keep my 160 stat. I ran quite a bit cooler with it.

Thanks for all the great info! Going to finally get the car up on jack stands this weekend to confirm that it's the radiator and not just the lower radiator hose...but I'm 90% sure it's the radiator.