Why DeWitts?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Hi Tom, I was actually talking to Christyn at your office today just firming up my order on a rad for my 70 454! The old one is leaking and the car overheats while sitting in traffic. I can't wait to try out a DeWitt!
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
ok... Here’s my angle.... As you are very well aware Tom, I purchased one of those eBay radiators, and it fit fine and has run great... for a lot less money....Proposition: Ship me one of your radiators, I will take both outside temps and measure engine temps in my car for 1 week. Then I will install your radiator, run it for a week also taking temps both outside and engine cooling temps. If you radiator cools better, I will publicly announce here how I have been wrong and that yes, yours is in fact better.... but, if there is no difference, or yours does worse, I will announce these results as well. So, if you are so sure of your "superior" radiator, please take me up on this challenge... if you are not really that sure, well.... I would understand that also. If yours works better, I will buy it… if it work worse… you will pay shipping to get it back….And BTW, mine was also 100% made in USA. So, prove me wrong with real world readings, ……. Paul
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
ok... Here’s my angle.... As you are very well aware Tom, I purchased one of those eBay radiators, and it fit fine and has run great... for a lot less money....Proposition: Ship me one of your radiators, I will take both outside temps and measure engine temps in my car for 1 week. Then I will install your radiator, run it for a week also taking temps both outside and engine cooling temps. If you radiator cools better, I will publicly announce here how I have been wrong and that yes, yours is in fact better.... but, if there is no difference, or yours does worse, I will announce these results as well. So, if you are so sure of your "superior" radiator, please take me up on this challenge... if you are not really that sure, well.... I would understand that also. If yours works better, I will buy it… if it work worse… you will pay shipping to get it back….And BTW, mine was also 100% made in USA. So, prove me wrong with real world readings, ……. Paul
Last edited by 69vettester; Aug 25, 2011 at 05:08 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
I understand how you may feel. But our forum is also a place to separate hype from truth.. I seek truth, not advertising hype... I have no moneys to be made here one way or the other.... Tom stated at the start of this thread that he welcomed other opinions or thoughts... So these are mine.... This is an opertunity to prove me wrong...
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
I understand how you may feel. But our forum is also a place to separate hype from truth.. I seek truth, not advertising hype... I have no moneys to be made here one way or the other.... Tom stated at the start of this thread that he welcomed other opinions or thoughts... So these are mine.... This is an opertunity to prove me wrong...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
See how long the cheap one last.When it plays out see what kind of service you get off of fleabay.Even a good becool radiator will cost you 400 bucks and still won't look close to original.You get what you pay fore.Buy a cheap one and whine about it when it starts leaking two years later or how hard it was to find hoses that would fit it.I don't like doing things twice nor paying for them twice in a short amount of time.Buy what you want.It's a free country.I like stuff that fits and works without re engineering it.Customer service and backing up what they sell means more to me than a cheap price.If the difference in something have to worry with to make fit and one that bolts in. with no problems is a hundred bucks.I'm buying what I know works.I knew when I got into these cars they weren't cheap to own in the first place.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,798
Likes: 3,274
From: NYC NY
It's not about proving you wrong. It's not about 1 Corvette or 1 radiator. It's about a body of work over a long period of time with a "proven" track record. Yes you may have a saved a bunch of money and if you did that's great. For others it's not just about saving money. It's about buying a "proven" quality product from a vender that specializes in Corvettes knowing that there is no fitment or performance issues and if there is the company has shown that they stand behind their product. For the Dewitt's supporters Tom has nothing to "prove". He and his company have already done that.
I know it seems like I'm calling you out on this and that's not my intention at all. I'm just trying to show you why many of Dewitt's satisfied customers support him in these threads (at least before it gets locked
).
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
ok... im not in any way degrading Tom's units or his service. And I do believe both to be top notch. All I am saying is, that "I" believe there are comparable units out there for less money. Mine being one. And I have had mine now for about 2 years and it works great... guess I may have to wait another 2...5...10 years to find out hugh????? There are always options, and there is rarely one only best. I think this is a fair test... and it would require a fair amount of labor on my part, and... if Tom's does cool better... its going to cost me ~$400 and a statement to all about how good it is and how I am wrong....What is so unfair about my proposal? Do we compare heads? cam manufactories? and everything else????!?!?!.... So why can we not compare and test radiators?
to be honest, I hope im wrong, I would love to see my car run 10* cooler or something like that... p
to be honest, I hope im wrong, I would love to see my car run 10* cooler or something like that... p
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,864
Likes: 3,531
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
ok... Here’s my angle.... As you are very well aware Tom, I purchased one of those eBay radiators, and it fit fine and has run great... for a lot less money....Proposition: Ship me one of your radiators, I will take both outside temps and measure engine temps in my car for 1 week. Then I will install your radiator, run it for a week also taking temps both outside and engine cooling temps. If you radiator cools better, I will publicly announce here how I have been wrong and that yes, yours is in fact better.... but, if there is no difference, or yours does worse, I will announce these results as well. So, if you are so sure of your "superior" radiator, please take me up on this challenge... if you are not really that sure, well.... I would understand that also. If yours works better, I will buy it… if it work worse… you will pay shipping to get it back….And BTW, mine was also 100% made in USA. So, prove me wrong with real world readings, ……. Paul
Richard
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Ok, hold on boys. Let's not turn this into another one of those threads. Paul has an interesting proposal and I think we should discuss it, just not here. Email me or better yet, call me next week 517-548-0600 and you and I can talk about it. I'm at Carlisle now and we'll be pretty busy here for the rest of the week.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Ok, hold on boys. Let's not turn this into another one of those threads. Paul has an interesting proposal and I think we should discuss it, just not here. Email me or better yet, call me next week 517-548-0600 and you and I can talk about it. I'm at Carlisle now and we'll be pretty busy here for the rest of the week.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
You won't regret it - I bought one from Tom about 6 months ago for my '70 454 4-speed and it was perfect fit plus stabilized my temps considerably. No huge temp drop from my OEM but the original was weeping at the seams.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,641
Likes: 187
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I'll chime in with some data as well. I've used a few of the cheap aluminum radiators to say they will all work just fine. However, here is what you WILL deal with when buying a cheaper radiator instead of DeWitts:
-Poorly Soldered fins that bend at the slightest touch
-Hose Connections rarely fit stock radiator hoses correctly ( You will find the hoses now rub on places they didn't before)
-Poor fit of standard mounting brackets (Have to modify at least one upper bracket)
-Poor fit of radiator fan shroud
-Lack of Warranty or Service
Do you want one that fits in correctly with no modifications? DeWitts is the only choice.
-Poorly Soldered fins that bend at the slightest touch
-Hose Connections rarely fit stock radiator hoses correctly ( You will find the hoses now rub on places they didn't before)
-Poor fit of standard mounting brackets (Have to modify at least one upper bracket)
-Poor fit of radiator fan shroud
-Lack of Warranty or Service
Do you want one that fits in correctly with no modifications? DeWitts is the only choice.
There is another drop in rad that fits the rads support perfectly and the hose connectors come out at the correct angle. I spent large on mine ( I could have bought a kit for much less ) for a custom made setup with an adjustable controller that I can set to come on at any temp and twin 13 in spal fans which really only needs one, I have a switch for the other but have never really needed to turn it on.
I was going to buy Dewitts rad but at the time the rad came with a non adjustable on/off switch. Apparently he had experimented with all kinds of adjustable controllers including a PWM version if I remember correctly. And decided they were nothing but trouble. The problem was I didn't like the on/off temps available in a package deal.
Fact remains there is another drop in aluminum rad that cools a 600HP no problems, and it's it not a feabay rad it's a quality piece. I'm not going to mention the name but I will post a pic, Dewitts products are top notch from what I hear from everyone
Don't worry Tom no one is as stupid as me to spend so much money on a rad package, the cap alone is 60 bananas
Last edited by MotorHead; Aug 25, 2011 at 10:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,398
Likes: 1,537
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Make my day!
Dear Mr Tom DeWitt:
I took the tour of your factory, very impressive! You make everything under one roof in the "Good Old USA" The work stations are spotless and I'll bet you pay your workers a good "living wage" and they appreciate it and do the best work they can.
You original post made reference to "changing perceptions and to justify cost" so lets get to it.
There are lots of posts asking who has the best (whatever)? When it comes to radiators you get the most compliments. It "dropped right in" no more overheat problems and so on. When I install a replacement part and it fits and works I'm a happy camper. What is the cost to have to re-repair in time and money?
You sell the Best and the Best of anything cost more because it's worth it!
Your on line catalogue is easy to read it's nice to find the part quickly.
Paul got lucky that his fit and works well and that's great! but I don't want to cross my fingers hoping that brand X doesn't leak.
The origional post was to justify the cost and after seeing the factory I'll pay a little more for the Best and I'll smile that I kept another American working.
Regards,
PG
I took the tour of your factory, very impressive! You make everything under one roof in the "Good Old USA" The work stations are spotless and I'll bet you pay your workers a good "living wage" and they appreciate it and do the best work they can.
You original post made reference to "changing perceptions and to justify cost" so lets get to it.
There are lots of posts asking who has the best (whatever)? When it comes to radiators you get the most compliments. It "dropped right in" no more overheat problems and so on. When I install a replacement part and it fits and works I'm a happy camper. What is the cost to have to re-repair in time and money?
You sell the Best and the Best of anything cost more because it's worth it!
Your on line catalogue is easy to read it's nice to find the part quickly.
Paul got lucky that his fit and works well and that's great! but I don't want to cross my fingers hoping that brand X doesn't leak.
The origional post was to justify the cost and after seeing the factory I'll pay a little more for the Best and I'll smile that I kept another American working.
Regards,
PG
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
and, ummm I don't get your point at all
but, have a great day
Ok, hold on boys. Let's not turn this into another one of those threads. Paul has an interesting proposal and I think we should discuss it, just not here. Email me or better yet, call me next week 517-548-0600 and you and I can talk about it. I'm at Carlisle now and we'll be pretty busy here for the rest of the week.
... well talk
Dear Mr Tom DeWitt:
I took the tour of your factory, very impressive! You make everything under one roof in the "Good Old USA" The work stations are spotless and I'll bet you pay your workers a good "living wage" and they appreciate it and do the best work they can.
You original post made reference to "changing perceptions and to justify cost" so lets get to it.
There are lots of posts asking who has the best (whatever)? When it comes to radiators you get the most compliments. It "dropped right in" no more overheat problems and so on. When I install a replacement part and it fits and works I'm a happy camper. What is the cost to have to re-repair in time and money?
You sell the Best and the Best of anything cost more because it's worth it!
Your on line catalogue is easy to read it's nice to find the part quickly.
Paul got lucky that his fit and works well and that's great! but I don't want to cross my fingers hoping that brand X doesn't leak.
The origional post was to justify the cost and after seeing the factory I'll pay a little more for the Best and I'll smile that I kept another American working.
Regards,
PG
I took the tour of your factory, very impressive! You make everything under one roof in the "Good Old USA" The work stations are spotless and I'll bet you pay your workers a good "living wage" and they appreciate it and do the best work they can.
You original post made reference to "changing perceptions and to justify cost" so lets get to it.
There are lots of posts asking who has the best (whatever)? When it comes to radiators you get the most compliments. It "dropped right in" no more overheat problems and so on. When I install a replacement part and it fits and works I'm a happy camper. What is the cost to have to re-repair in time and money?
You sell the Best and the Best of anything cost more because it's worth it!
Your on line catalogue is easy to read it's nice to find the part quickly.
Paul got lucky that his fit and works well and that's great! but I don't want to cross my fingers hoping that brand X doesn't leak.
The origional post was to justify the cost and after seeing the factory I'll pay a little more for the Best and I'll smile that I kept another American working.
Regards,
PG
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
ok... Here’s my angle.... As you are very well aware Tom, I purchased one of those eBay radiators, and it fit fine and has run great... for a lot less money....Proposition: Ship me one of your radiators, I will take both outside temps and measure engine temps in my car for 1 week. Then I will install your radiator, run it for a week also taking temps both outside and engine cooling temps. If you radiator cools better, I will publicly announce here how I have been wrong and that yes, yours is in fact better.... but, if there is no difference, or yours does worse, I will announce these results as well. So, if you are so sure of your "superior" radiator, please take me up on this challenge... if you are not really that sure, well.... I would understand that also. If yours works better, I will buy it… if it work worse… you will pay shipping to get it back….And BTW, mine was also 100% made in USA. So, prove me wrong with real world readings, ……. Paul
Not so Grasshopper
There is another drop in rad that fits the rads support perfectly and the hose connectors come out at the correct angle. I spent large on mine ( I could have bought a kit for much less ) for a custom made setup with an adjustable controller that I can set to come on at any temp and twin 13 in spal fans which really only needs one, I have a switch for the other but have never really needed to turn it on.
I was going to buy Dewitts rad but at the time the rad came with a non adjustable on/off switch. Apparently he had experimented with all kinds of adjustable controllers including a PWM version if I remember correctly. And decided they were nothing but trouble. The problem was I didn't like the on/off temps available in a package deal.
Fact remains there is another drop in aluminum rad that cools a 600HP no problems, and it's it not a feabay rad it's a quality piece. I'm not going to mention the name but I will post a pic, Dewitts products are top notch from what I hear from everyone
Don't worry Tom no one is as stupid as me to spend so much money on a rad package, the cap alone is 60 bananas
There is another drop in rad that fits the rads support perfectly and the hose connectors come out at the correct angle. I spent large on mine ( I could have bought a kit for much less ) for a custom made setup with an adjustable controller that I can set to come on at any temp and twin 13 in spal fans which really only needs one, I have a switch for the other but have never really needed to turn it on.
I was going to buy Dewitts rad but at the time the rad came with a non adjustable on/off switch. Apparently he had experimented with all kinds of adjustable controllers including a PWM version if I remember correctly. And decided they were nothing but trouble. The problem was I didn't like the on/off temps available in a package deal.
Fact remains there is another drop in aluminum rad that cools a 600HP no problems, and it's it not a feabay rad it's a quality piece. I'm not going to mention the name but I will post a pic, Dewitts products are top notch from what I hear from everyone
Don't worry Tom no one is as stupid as me to spend so much money on a rad package, the cap alone is 60 bananas
With regards to using a pulse-width modulator (pwm) for the fan control, I used a Delta Current control unit. The small temp probe fits nicely between the fins in the radiator. No bung required.
Last edited by Ben Lurkin; Aug 27, 2011 at 12:10 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
+1 on Toms hardware. There are others out there that will work and cost less. But I have not seen any that fit as well or as easy as his. Mine is a custom and it dropped right in with no fartin around with it. My time was worth the difference in price. FWIW I took the cheap one I bought some time before I started making mods and put in a dump truck, its still running good. A Real world, same car and conditions test will be interesting