New Aluminum Radiator - what a difference!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
New Aluminum Radiator - what a difference!!!!
Today I got my 427/400 back from my mechanic, who changed the stuffed copper/brass rad to a new Griffin Alu-rad.
Reason for that exchange was the fact, that my temperature had been rising up to 210+ °F while driving about 70-80 mph.
Now, with my new Griffin rad, I run 110+ mph at 35°C outside and watertemp don't rise over the first mark on the gauge (180°F I think?). As a result, the coolant temperature decreased about 30+°F.
I think, that was a good investment and I would recomment it to everybody who has a temperature-problem with his Vette.
Greetings over the pond from good ol' Germany
Tripower
Reason for that exchange was the fact, that my temperature had been rising up to 210+ °F while driving about 70-80 mph.
Now, with my new Griffin rad, I run 110+ mph at 35°C outside and watertemp don't rise over the first mark on the gauge (180°F I think?). As a result, the coolant temperature decreased about 30+°F.
I think, that was a good investment and I would recomment it to everybody who has a temperature-problem with his Vette.
Greetings over the pond from good ol' Germany
Tripower
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: New Aluminum Radiator - what a difference!!!! (Sir Tripower)
Glad to hear that the aluminum rad had such a great affect on your temp. Being in Germany you get to see your car at much higher speeds than us in the US so if something works for you driving 100+ mph :eek: then it should work for many of us at a mere 70 mph :yesnod: .
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
Re: New Aluminum Radiator - what a difference!!!! (jerryp58)
Yes indeed: So it should be. And now it seems, that the stat really controls the temp!
You can't lower your temp by simply changing the stat to a lower defined one if your radiator isn't no longer able to cool down the fluid effectively! It seems, that there is a big quality difference at those replacement radiators!
Mine was only 3 years old and it was definitive stucked inside by corrosives. Also different leakes appeared at the side boxes and the core itself. This happend in spite of the fact, that I used a 50:50 water/antifreeze mixture and only drive on sunshiny weather.
Although that Griffin-rad was not really cheap ($ 550,-), I think it was absolutely worth the investment. Driving on hot weather without staring to the temp-gauge like a rabbit at the snake is a wonderfull feeling and increases the Vette-driving-fun a lot!
Tripower
You can't lower your temp by simply changing the stat to a lower defined one if your radiator isn't no longer able to cool down the fluid effectively! It seems, that there is a big quality difference at those replacement radiators!
Mine was only 3 years old and it was definitive stucked inside by corrosives. Also different leakes appeared at the side boxes and the core itself. This happend in spite of the fact, that I used a 50:50 water/antifreeze mixture and only drive on sunshiny weather.
Although that Griffin-rad was not really cheap ($ 550,-), I think it was absolutely worth the investment. Driving on hot weather without staring to the temp-gauge like a rabbit at the snake is a wonderfull feeling and increases the Vette-driving-fun a lot!
Tripower
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
Re: New Aluminum Radiator - what a difference!!!! (Twinnie)
Hi Marck,
you'll get the rad from:
"Pettys Vettes Shop"
Biebricher Str. 1
55252 Mainz-Kastel
Tel.: +49-6134-3144
Fax: +49-6134-24526
Germany
Greetings
Gerrit
you'll get the rad from:
"Pettys Vettes Shop"
Biebricher Str. 1
55252 Mainz-Kastel
Tel.: +49-6134-3144
Fax: +49-6134-24526
Germany
Greetings
Gerrit
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
Re: New Aluminum Radiator - what a difference!!!! (Twinnie)
Hi Marck,
the prize is about 1.900,- DM (ca. 800,- Euro).
Dewitt offers it for 550,- $ but you have to add s&h, toll and tax. You might look at http://www.dewitts.com for more information.
BTW: We had a trip to Bavaria last weekend and I drove my BB Vette in 30°C on country roads. The temp doesn't rise over the second mark on the gauge (ca. 180°F). Before the rad-exchange it has been 210+ degrees.
Greetings
Gerrit
the prize is about 1.900,- DM (ca. 800,- Euro).
Dewitt offers it for 550,- $ but you have to add s&h, toll and tax. You might look at http://www.dewitts.com for more information.
BTW: We had a trip to Bavaria last weekend and I drove my BB Vette in 30°C on country roads. The temp doesn't rise over the second mark on the gauge (ca. 180°F). Before the rad-exchange it has been 210+ degrees.
Greetings
Gerrit
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,351
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From: Fremont, CA, USA
Re: New Aluminum Radiator - what a difference!!!! (Sir Tripower)
"Sir Tripower"------
For years I've recommended and extolled the virtues of aluminum radiators. For 63-72 small blocks originally equipped with aluminum radiators, replacement with the copper/brass radiator (the one sized to fit this application as a dirct bolt-in) will SIGNIFICANTLY degrade cooling performance.
For big blocks, most of which were originally equipped with a large copper brass radiator (except L-78, L-88, and ZR-2), the Griffin aluminum replacement will SIGNIFICANTLY improve cooling performance, EVEN THOUGH the original big block copper/brass radiators are very good cooling units.
For originality for most 66-74 big blocks, use the original radiator; for cooling performance, use the Griffin replacements.
For 63-72 Corvettes originally equipped with aluminum radiators, use the DeWitts reproduction for BOTH originality and cooling performance. Absolutely. Positively.
Sir Tripower, your experience just confirms what I've been saying for a LONG time!
For years I've recommended and extolled the virtues of aluminum radiators. For 63-72 small blocks originally equipped with aluminum radiators, replacement with the copper/brass radiator (the one sized to fit this application as a dirct bolt-in) will SIGNIFICANTLY degrade cooling performance.
For big blocks, most of which were originally equipped with a large copper brass radiator (except L-78, L-88, and ZR-2), the Griffin aluminum replacement will SIGNIFICANTLY improve cooling performance, EVEN THOUGH the original big block copper/brass radiators are very good cooling units.
For originality for most 66-74 big blocks, use the original radiator; for cooling performance, use the Griffin replacements.
For 63-72 Corvettes originally equipped with aluminum radiators, use the DeWitts reproduction for BOTH originality and cooling performance. Absolutely. Positively.
Sir Tripower, your experience just confirms what I've been saying for a LONG time!