leadville1

I just spent two days at Road America with Midwest Domestics, and got to see if the upgrades I made in the winter solved many of the issues I was having with heat, brakes and cooling.

DeWitts Radiator - The radiator made a tremendous difference on the track, my water temps never went over 220 degrees even after a 30 minute session, the highest oil temp I saw was 210 degrees. While cruising on the highway my water temps hover at 190-200 and my oil temps are staying around 180 degrees. This single upgrade solves your cooling issues.

Z06 rear ducts - I wrapped my pipes last year near the transmission but put in another 25 feet of wrap, then I installed the Z06 rear vents, my temps on the transmission never went past 200 degrees on the track. On the street I am seeing 180 degrees peak temp. Problem solved with transmission temps.

Wilwood brakes - I have never used Wilwood brakes before, always been a Stoptech guy, but I have to tell you these brakes are amazing. I have the new Aero 6 calipers 6 piston front and four piston rear.

The pedal feel is absolutely amazing, it is very stiff, probably the stiffest I have ever had on a track car. Zero fade! I used their highest level track compound and they had great torque and modulated perfectly. This kit solves all braking issues with the Corvette. Two little complaints....the bridge bolts are held in with a very small pretzel shaped clip. I had one pop out at the track and lost a bridge bolt. I just went to the local hardware store and got a bolt and a clip to hold it in. Other than that killer brakes, the best I have ever owned in a track car.

As for the cam kit, my car is now a two gear car at Road America 3/4 the extra revs and pulling on top are amazing. I was faster everywhere I picked up another 10 mph on every straight. I think I am going to wrap my intake to help keep IAT's lower.

Very happy with the upgrades just need to get some decent tires other than the PSS, although they held up great they are the limiting factor right now.

SBC_and_a_stick

Thanks for the review. I'm very interested in how well the radiator works. Can you give us more insight as to the conditions?

Ambient temps?
Run group?
Did you vary the water/coolant mix at the same time?

leadville1

Ambient was upper 70's all weekend
Advanced Run Group/ I am an instructor
One bottle of Water Wetter with the GM coolant

It almost runs too cool on the street, oil temps barely hit 180 even with the air on. I am also using a 170 degree thermostat.

I was doing 30 minute sessions and didn't see any rise in temps over 220 on the coolant it stayed consistent.

thebishman

Christ this is great news. Now we need to get a DeWitts installed into a Z06.

BTW, how difficult is it to install the DeWitts? Did you do it yourself; have a shop do it, dealership?

Thanks and as above any more info would be greatly appreciated.

Bish

leadville1

The radiator required just a bit of trimming on some of the plastic, it was installed by the shop that did my Cam. It also required just a slight modification for the hood vent to fit.

This mod alone improves cooling dramatically. I also used DEI wrap on my coolant hoses to keep radiant heat off of the CAI.

This upgrade is a no brainer for a Z06, it should be standard.

Theta

Glad to hear it - I pushed mine hard this weekend, and had zero cooling issues even with my setup - same numbers you had. Glad to see that tracking is the same.

My vent doesn't seem trimmed (I will look again), but I think it does press against the hood more causing a slight closing resistance. Perhaps I will see if that can be alleviated by shaving a bit of the plastic (unless yours does the same). I also had a really early rad revision, so who knows...

leadville1

There were two minor mod's to make the DeWitts fit. They had to trim some of the area where the radiator mounts to make it fit, it was very minor.

They also had to install some spacers in how the hood vent fits so it would close properly. That was it.

descartesfool

Great results.

bringe

Where did u buy the 170 thermostat at?? How much. Thanks.

Theta

Sorry, I just noticed that and got a good laugh. I don't think I'm ever out of the 3/4 powerband unless it's to downshift to 2 for decel and quick exit.

Terrible on fuel/meth consumption, fantastic for the facial muscles and mood of the driver.

0Todd TCE

Glad to hear the brakes worked as promised.

A few extra clips on the way to you.

leadville1

I was really impressed with the Wilwoods, the brake pedal is incredibly stiff and the braking power of these was incredible. I was skeptical that they would be that much better than stock, but they are better than any other big brake kit I have used.

I also really like the Wilwood pads as well.

You know the issue I had with the pad pins, the only negative to these brakes I see.

leadville1

Lingenfelter

Snorman

What were your pre-Dewitts coolant and oil temps on-track? Is your car a '15 with PDR data?
S.

leadville1

I was seeing temps in the 260 range and also seeing oil temps approaching 290, in addition I was also seeing tranny temps approaching 260-270 degrees.

Substantial improvement.

Snorman

Wow. That is substantial. Nice.
S.

4GS7

I love the Z06 aero blades. They look great, and I'm glad to see they work great too. No egg crates, thanks.

shakeydog

Impressive temperature drop. Is your car a Z51 or base?

Theta

He has a Z51.

0Tom@Dewitt

We could use a nice review on the product page


http://www.dewitts.com/collections/c...ducts/1139114m