I understand that the aluminum radiators from Dewitt are a direct fit, and the quality is top notch. However, considering how I am on a budget, I have to let my wallet do the talking sometimes. If I had the money, I would call Tom Dewitt up right now and order one. I have a $4000 383 engine, with top of the line parts, which I need to cool.

This thread is regarding other aluminum radiators on the market, which are way cheaper. I'm not after cheap quality. I'm trying to sift through the selection and find a quality radiator, which can be made to fit, without having to spend my life savings on. Or is this a case of you get what you pay for? I am all too aware in this business that you sometimes do get more than what you pay for, and that is what I am after.

Now tell me - are there any decently priced aluminum radiators which can be made to fit a 76', and are still of high quality? Any first hand experiences with other brands? Post pics if you got them. I have a budget of around $300...which is pushing it.

Jeremy

 

You seem to understand the importance of cooling your top of the line engine parts that you have invested 4k of your hard earned money into. Why try to go a cheaper route now when you are more then half way to buying a top of the line Dewitts radiator. You dont need an electric fan to keep your engine cool so a quality radiator that will do exactly what you said you are looking for is less then $200 away from your reach. I thought about a cheaper radiator as well but in the end decided to go with what I should never have to worry about. Thats the Dewitts and it also looks great sitting in the engine compartment.
Good luck making your decision.
Rodney

 

You dont need an aluminum rad to keep 400 hp cool. I have a factory big block rad in my car. Zero problems keeping it cool in 90+ degree traffic.
I will mention that I dont have an A/C condenser or trans cooler in front of it which probably helps alot. I also have electric fans, but a properly working clutch fan will pull just as much or more CFM

 

If $300 won't buy me a quality radiator, then I will have to pony up some money and buy the Dewitts one. That was the answer I was trying to find from this post. Thank you.

 

I am totally with vette427.... as much as everyone is happy with a dewitts product and his service there is nothing wrong with a quality copper/brass radiator and im being very honest when i say its the only way i will go in the future. copper/brass is way more durable,can be repaired easy and doesnt suffer from stray current like alloy radiators + it can easily cool any engine as well as an alloy unit.

I have used both alloy (once)and copper/brass (many times)so im not just flying off the bat here.

 

Summit & Jegs have some at pretty decent prices....and you seem pretty damn good with fitment issues...if I had your skill I might have gone with one of them...!

But......I do love my DeWitts....fit perfect and works perfect. Just right for a "real rookie" like me !

 

I have bought stuff before that didn't fit or work.I would rather buy one once than twice.dewits.

 

You won't be sorry.....

 

Hi Jeremy,
I think one thing that's important which hasn't been mentioned is that regardless of which radiator you choose it has to be installed properly and have a SHROUD and SEALS that force the air to be pulled THROUGH the radiator not AROUND it.
GM spent a lot of time and parts $ on those 2 things, but people sometimes ignore them today.
Regards,
Alan

 

Although, with the DeWitts setup I got, it has the duel electric fans and the stock shroud is not needed...and Thank God ! LOL....because that thing is a PITA to say the least...

 

I got mine for under $600 including a BEAUTIFUL, Custom made, aluminum fan shroud and 2 Spall fans.

Her is the link... it is AS GOOD as ANY out there, made in the USA,,, and REASONABLY priced.

here is my post...http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nd-shroud.html

 

So what are the actual physical demnsions of the stock small block radiators? I am thinking about swapping mine out in the very near future as well.

 

I too was envious looking at the eBay version of this rad. I contacted them for a quote on a SB 350 with auto tran fittings. Here is my email trail:

From: Ryan Watnem [mailto:ryan@univparts.com]
The radiator is $599 and the fan/shroud combo is $200

From: Jeff Braun
Actually I currently have the 18” aluminum version of the support bracket. But my car was, at some point, converted over to an automatic. So I’m looking to move to the SB 350 auto radiator and support. That version should be the 26-1/2 as the 27-1/2 is from the big block version.
So the short answer is 26 ½” or possibly the 26 ¼” as you state.
Jeff

From: Ryan Watnem [mailto:ryan@univparts.com]
Do you have the 26 ¼” wide core or the 27 ½” wide core?



You can see quite clearly in the eBay ad the stated dimension
Radiator Core Dimentions:
-25 7/8 " Wide

Which, correct me if I'm wrong here, is too narrow. It should be at least 26" if not 26-1/2". I don't know if there will be fitment issues or not. I looked at PD's thread and his top did have some fitment issues but was still able to get it to work.

However the combo is $799 which isn't very far off from a 15% discount on a similar DeWitts combo.

I have neither setup right now as I'm just trying to get my strategy together on which way to go. Looking first if its worth my money to go that route as I'll have to get a whole new bracket instead of my 18" one I have now.

 

the radiator i got is from wizard cooling google it and you will see his site he was listing on ebay and i think it was around 275.00? it is as good as any you will find american made , not some china junk, i have had mine in like 3 years and it fit perfect and cools the 120 degree heat index summers here perfect.

 

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/scottatt...911.m270.l1313

 

[edit]hijack attempt aborted...I'll make my own thread [/edit]

 

I'm running a Dewitts in my 78 and it is first rate...been in about 3 years now..in my 69 502 I'm using a 4 row copper brass and it has been in since 1999 or so and does a real good job.
In todays market,it is very hard to find a good quality copper brass rad...many come with Chinesse cores that use thinner materials...I'd do some research before plunking down $$$ on a copper brass rad...and avoid the Chinese cores...

 

You say you have a $4000 engine, then want to go cheep on
the rad, wait and save the money, it's better then spending
4000 more because you overheated the engine, should be a no
brainer.

 

I have had my DeWitts for a couple of years and I have to laugh every time I hear of someone having an issue with over heating. You don't need the shroud or seals or anything else. Very clean, no fan blades, worth the money