Genesis Aluminum Radiator's???
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Genesis Aluminum Radiator's???
I was working on installing an electric fan on my '80 last weekend, while trying to remove the old fan shroud (I now know I should have removed the radiator assembly first) I poked 2 large holes in the original radiator...
Since I will have the radiator out I was thinking of replacing it with an aluminum radiator, I found an all aluminum radiator by Genesis Auto Parts, that is the same price as an OEM radiator.
Has anyone ever heard of this company before? any reviews of their radiators?
I cant afford one of the aluminum radiators like those on Ecklers or CA, if no one has heard of these Genesis radiators or they have poor reviews, I will have to just go with an OEM Radiator.
Check them out and let me know what you think.
http://www.genesisautoparts.com/all_...vette-1980.htm
Since I will have the radiator out I was thinking of replacing it with an aluminum radiator, I found an all aluminum radiator by Genesis Auto Parts, that is the same price as an OEM radiator.
Has anyone ever heard of this company before? any reviews of their radiators?
I cant afford one of the aluminum radiators like those on Ecklers or CA, if no one has heard of these Genesis radiators or they have poor reviews, I will have to just go with an OEM Radiator.
Check them out and let me know what you think.
http://www.genesisautoparts.com/all_...vette-1980.htm
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
Northern auto radiators makes a less pricy aluminum radiator. There were many discussions about this radiator on the Forum several years ago, and I would suggest a search. If you are interested, Hot Rods USA carries them for approx $300.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
ok... i have been down this road...... the DeWitts radiator is just a little more $$... but it is a work of art.... it will be something you will be proud of till your car is gone... yes, the Northern will do thew job, and for a FEW less $.......but the DeWitts is like the difference between a C6 Zo6 and a Ford Escort.... yea, they will both get you from point a to b just fine..... but when you arrive, do you want to be in a Z or a Escort? it really is built in EVERY way better.... every way....
Paul
read this... should answer your questions...:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-radiator.html
Paul
read this... should answer your questions...:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-radiator.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
I had my 'Modine' radiator re-cored for $125 with a local radiator service. Works great and they turned it around in 1 day. I felt it was a good price. The shop did a great job and it looked all-new.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
If you can't afford one of the brand name aluminum radiators I would probably just get a new copper one or have yours re-cored. This method might cost you $200 but I think you would be better off than one of these.
These kind of companies try to fool you with the number of rows but they don't say anything about the width of those tubes. The typical two row aluminum radiator uses 1" tubes and has a thickness of 2.25". This one is 1.75" thick, so the tubes must be about .75"
These kind of companies try to fool you with the number of rows but they don't say anything about the width of those tubes. The typical two row aluminum radiator uses 1" tubes and has a thickness of 2.25". This one is 1.75" thick, so the tubes must be about .75"
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Midland MI
To directly answer your question, I just installed a Genesis all aluminum hd radiator in my '80 vette. Is this a work of art? no. This radiator is made in China. Not the prettiest alum rad i've seen, but seems to do the job just fine. It is the HD model, 2 row 2 inch core. This is what I had to do to drop in...The notches in the rubber mounts had to be lenthened to accomadate the slightly thicker HD radiator. I also had toput 1/8th shims under my sway bar mounts as I had noticed my stock radiator lower neck was touching the bar, the new radiator was resting solidly on the bar due to the thicker tanks. 1/8th seemed to be just enough to give it some clearance. I've onlt had it in for a couple of weeks, but so far so good and it seems to run about 15 degrees cooler.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
To directly answer your question, I just installed a Genesis all aluminum hd radiator in my '80 vette. Is this a work of art? no. This radiator is made in China. Not the prettiest alum rad i've seen, but seems to do the job just fine. It is the HD model, 2 row 2 inch core. This is what I had to do to drop in...The notches in the rubber mounts had to be lenthened to accomadate the slightly thicker HD radiator. I also had toput 1/8th shims under my sway bar mounts as I had noticed my stock radiator lower neck was touching the bar, the new radiator was resting solidly on the bar due to the thicker tanks. 1/8th seemed to be just enough to give it some clearance. I've onlt had it in for a couple of weeks, but so far so good and it seems to run about 15 degrees cooler.
Were the upper and lower radiator necks correctly shaped to match the stock radiator?
Did the original radiator mounting brackets (on the top of the radiator) fit the genesis radiator?
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Midland MI
The upper hose was no problem at all. The lower hose fitting seemed to be angled inward more than the factory and I had to adjust both ends of the lower hose to prevent it from kinking. As for the mounts, the factory radiator is more rounded while the Genisis is flat. I had to lengthen the notches on the rubbers to acomadate the added width but the mounts work fine and hold everything solid. I did notice on the right side upper mount is very close to touching the aluminum tank and I will probably end up trimming it just to be sure there is no contact.
Overall, it was a good install. The core looked good, the welds weren't the prettiest but are solid, the tanks I wish were just a little heavier material. just make sure after the install no direct contact between the radiator and any metal on the car. You don't want to rub thru the aluiminum.
So far so good. I would definitely use one of these again.
Overall, it was a good install. The core looked good, the welds weren't the prettiest but are solid, the tanks I wish were just a little heavier material. just make sure after the install no direct contact between the radiator and any metal on the car. You don't want to rub thru the aluiminum.
So far so good. I would definitely use one of these again.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
$25 is a little more but over $200 is way more than "a little more"
I bought a nice big 4 core aluminum radiator off ebay for $260 shipped.
You couldn't ask for better cooling.
But you could just go to Autozone and get a factory 4 core for about $300
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
A little more money to you and someone else is alot different.
$25 is a little more but over $200 is way more than "a little more"
I bought a nice big 4 core aluminum radiator off ebay for $260 shipped.
You couldn't ask for better cooling.
But you could just go to Autozone and get a factory 4 core for about $300
$25 is a little more but over $200 is way more than "a little more"
I bought a nice big 4 core aluminum radiator off ebay for $260 shipped.
You couldn't ask for better cooling.
But you could just go to Autozone and get a factory 4 core for about $300
Will the cheaper unit work... Yes, for a stock or moderately built c3... Would it cool my c3? With ac running in the summer... No. Thus the. We Dewitt's 2 core 1.5" core unit....
Now I may be wrong here, but I don't think they make a 3 or 4 core unit in aluminum... Mine is a 2 core... But big!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
"Work of Art" is great if I'm hanging it on my wall.. 
To me a radiator is an appliance-
Once it's installed, you never really see it again so it's appearance is of no significance.
The fit and performance are what matters-
Does it fit without re-engineering the car?
Does it keep the engine at an acceptable temperature in all conditions?
Is the material and assembly adequate enough to last for 10 years of regular use without repair?
If all the above are accounted for, I'd buy the most reasonably priced radiator that fits the bill.
Must be the mechanical engineer coming out in me but appearance usually has little to do with functionality.
Just my .02
Elm
To me a radiator is an appliance-
Once it's installed, you never really see it again so it's appearance is of no significance.
The fit and performance are what matters-
Does it fit without re-engineering the car?
Does it keep the engine at an acceptable temperature in all conditions?
Is the material and assembly adequate enough to last for 10 years of regular use without repair?
If all the above are accounted for, I'd buy the most reasonably priced radiator that fits the bill.
Must be the mechanical engineer coming out in me but appearance usually has little to do with functionality.
Just my .02
Elm
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Here is my ebay radiator.
Here is what I will tell you, they all come with the trans cooler holes and I have a 4 speed but I really didn't care because my car is a hotrod so that distraction is no concern.
For $260 you can't beat it.
My car is not going to over heat, if anything it will never warm up.
*If you want the best and have the money buy a DeWitts.
*If you want factory and look like it buy a 4 core from Autozone for $300.
Here is what I will tell you, they all come with the trans cooler holes and I have a 4 speed but I really didn't care because my car is a hotrod so that distraction is no concern.
For $260 you can't beat it.
My car is not going to over heat, if anything it will never warm up.
*If you want the best and have the money buy a DeWitts.
*If you want factory and look like it buy a 4 core from Autozone for $300.
