The time has come for me to replace the radiator in my 81? The car has not had a temp problem to date, but the 30 year old radiator is looking its age. Should I go back with the stock GM radiator or look into an all aluminum? i.e. BeCool?

Do I get a big advantage for the extra $300-$500?

I do plan on replacing the water pump while I am at it. Suggestions there would be appreciated as well. High flow versus a standard?

 

You've lost me. Everything on my 68 and my 80 - more or less - looks old. Clean up and paint your existing radiator and it will look new.

 

I should state that there is a crack in the top of tha radiator that has been repaired by the previous owner. It doenst leak, but looks bad.

 

I just ordered one of these for my '81. It was $198 shipped after the coupon code. This will cool just as well as any $500+ aluminum radiator.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...8102_233173_0_

 

Check out some of the other aluminum radiator threads. You will start to get EVERYONE recommending DeWitts as they are top quality but you pay top $. In some of those threads, there is mention of certain aluminum radiators from ebay. Guys have been using them for years with no problems and are the same price or CHEAPER then a stock replacement.

I have no first hand experience, but had a few PMs with the guys running them and it's the route I plan to take when I get to that point in my resto-mod.

 

I have this same radiator in my 71 Camaro RS which lucky for me also fits the vet, both cars radiators are the same dimensions. I did change the bottom neck to a straight fitting to suit the Camaros upright position though.

It does work but i wouldnt say it cools as well as any $500 radiator. I say this because my vet and camaro engines are very similar yet the radiator in the vet ($500 job) is winning. Both cars have 185 thermostats and the vet will sit on 185 all day long in hot weather with an AC condenser in front of it and an external transmission cooler . The camaro has no AC but it does have the same external transmission cooler in front yet it sits on 190 at best but usually 190-200 which im fine with as summer here is pretty hot, keeping in mind before the installation of the trans cooler the Camaro did cruise at 185-190 temps ( the vets temps did not rise with the addition of the cooler). To be honest the Camaro with its big open radiator design should cool the better with its superior air flow . When winter comes back both will sit at 185 no problem.

I do like the fact this radiator is copper/brass though because it eliminates the problem of stray current which can be a problem with aluminium. I would also recommend it , especially for its price

 

I bet if you put a fan shroud on that Camaro it will cool a lot better.

I have this radiator in my Corvette right now, but the 3 core version, with a 195* thermostat the temp stays at 210 all day. I'm sure the 4 core will be the same. I only ordered a new one because I have the radiator out and 2 years ago I accidentally poked a hole in it with a screwdriver. it stopped leaking after 2 weeks, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it leaks again. I figured since it was out I might as well replace it for the price.

The other Radiator I was looking at was this one:

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={2a90f672-af96-4afb-a440-f3209a92d324}&gid={600b9d9b-a0d5-4052-83b9-f3ff4da94acb}&GroupName=Replacement+Radi ators&pname=76L-82+350+Aluminum+Radiator&Referer=&Alias= &ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&#

It's made by Dewitts but supposedly has less expensive upper and lower cover plates. I decided I didn't want to spend the extra $240 (after shipping) right now.

 

Why would i go to the expense and time of a shroud if there is no problem of overheating in either car ? My temperature is the same when cruising at 60mph or sitting at the lights so a shroud will do nothing . A shroud is only beneficial when the fan is in use and thats not when your cruising.

I was just stating the fact that in most cases a $200 copper/brass will not be superior to a $500 aluminium radiator and thats coming from personally having both.

 

When the time and money comes I'm dropping the coin on a DeWitt's. As far as the pump goes you'll be happy with a Stewart Components high flow. Both high quality UPGRADES. Upgrades usually = extra $. It's all in what you want or what you'll settle for IMO.

 

I had a 2nd gen Camaro before my Corvette and ran it with and without a shroud with an electric fan as you are. It ran much cooler and consistent with the shroud.

 

I would agree that a shroud is normally beneficial but if your radiator and fan is robust enough to not need a larger shroud then there is no point.

For example if a cars temp sits at 190 on the highway but when sitting at lights your temp creeps up then yes i would say look into a shroud or your seals etc but in my circumstance my temp sits consistently low no matter what i do ....so no shroud.

 

Gone mine shipped for $170 (ground) after coupon savings.

 

I find that my '80 L48 runs at 185-190 all-day (in summer) and a bit cooler in winter. It has all of the shroud seals from Dr Rebuild that help to ensure the air goes thru the radiator/shroud vs around.

 

Nice, that must have been a good coupon

 

i have had mine for 10 years and it still works well .

 

So my Autozone radiator came in yesterday and the box was all ripped up. I opened it up and there was absolutely no packaging material in it. the radiator had 3 huge dents in it and looked like crap. I immediately went to Autzone and returned it.

I got my money back and ordered the $400 Dewitts that Zip Corvette sells since they had free shipping this weekend.

It was double the price but I guess I'll have the piece of mind that I won't have any problems with it.

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={2a90f672-af96-4afb-a440-f3209a92d324}&gid={600b9d9b-a0d5-4052-83b9-f3ff4da94acb}&GroupName=Replacement+Radi ators&pname=76L-82+350+Aluminum+Radiator&Referer=&Alias= &ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&#

 

My 1980 struggles to hit 180 with a standard radiator and a zz430 clone motor. So to say you need anything more then stock is an opinion and you should be able to make your own judgement based on how it is cooling with whats in it now.

Also If I remember correctly and I could be wrong but 80 and up have improved air flow across the radiators as a result of the different front bumper cover.

 

Get a stock rad if your engine is stock.