Radiators
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Elyria Ohio
Radiators
I saw at Carisle this weekend alum. radiators that they call Be Cool, and claim to guarantee to run 20- 40 degree cooler. Has anyone had experiense with these , and they really work???
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It's misleading a little bit the way they say that but generally yes aluminum radiators are a good upgrade. Lots of companies to choose from. However, if you're going to spend the time and money to upgrade to an aluminum you might as well go one step better and get a DeWitt's aluminum direct fit radiator. WELL worth the money and easily one of the best mods I have done to my car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
It's misleading a little bit the way they say that but generally yes aluminum radiators are a good upgrade. Lots of companies to choose from. However, if you're going to spend the time and money to upgrade to an aluminum you might as well go one step better and get a DeWitt's aluminum direct fit radiator. WELL worth the money and easily one of the best mods I have done to my car.
guaranteed to cool 20-40º less than what? what if your current rad already cools enough to keep operating temps at the t-stat level? do you really want your car to run at say 140º - 160º? I don't!Generally, any decent aluminum rad will have approx a 30% more efficient cooling than a copper/brass unit.
If you are going to spend the money on a new aluminum radiator i'd recommend the DeWitts . Awesome units, I have one in my '65 and when the budget allows will get one for my '78.
Not just because they work very well and are a true drop in replacement without any mods to make it fit, but even more importantly Tom DeWitt has THE BEST customer service of any vendor i've ever experienced, period. That may not be important now but if you ever have an issue with your rad it sure becomes important than.
Tom handled an issue on my DeWitts unit from my '65 that was 8-10 year old without question. The unit was in my car when I bought it so I wasn't even the original purchaser of the radiator and he still handles the problem with no questions asked.
now THAT is customer service and standing behind your product!!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 2
From: Nixa Missouri
To let you know I have a new dewitt rad still in the box waiting its turn to be installed. It's a direct fit. Tom at dewitts was very nice guy to talk to and great help.Take a look at the thread in the general section, thread= Follow along as I attempt a frame off restoration. Jump to page 27. Now look at what Kartensi had to do cause he bought a Be Cool rad. This is why I chose a dewitt rad for my 70.
P.S. I sent you a couple of numbers for the fan blade and fan clutch.
Sorry that was all I could come up with.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: texas
installled a Be-Cool aluminum radiator this past friday night in my '69. hovered at 210 degrees all weekend in houston without a fan shroud and a new "stock" clutched fan (POS). ordered a new fan from jegs and going to put the shroud and new fan in later this week. should help cool.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,907
Likes: 3,329
From: NYC NY
I was at Carlisle also and after talking to Tom Dewitt I would NOT consider anyone elses radiator for a Corvette. He knows the cars - he builds a very high quality product - and he has GREAT customer service. Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking Be Cool or Griffin for that matter. I'm saying if it's for a Corvette you need a DeWitt if you want the best.
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