'80 corvette radiator replacement?
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 4
From: Baytown Tx
'80 corvette radiator replacement?
What is better? Refurbishing my original radiator to go with the new 383 engine or just buy a new radiator? Is a 2 pass or 3 pass better? Electric fans or stay with the stock setup? Please give me some advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I put one of these in my '81. it's made by Dewitts but cost about $100 less because it doesn't have a polished top rail. it's a 2.25" core. Zips offers free shipping sometimes also.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Have your original tanked and reinstall it with new seals. Use the stock fan and clutch. Add the stock L-82 auxilary electric fan if you'd like.
DeWitt's amkes a quality product, but the stock system in good working order will cool a 383.
DeWitt's amkes a quality product, but the stock system in good working order will cool a 383.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Well, grasshopper, if you ask a thousand people, you will get a thousand opinions.
Having said that, remember that the factory used the SAME radiator on the 350 and 454 cubic inch engines through 1974, at least. IMHO, if everything else is up to spec, a stock radiator should be able to do the job.
Having said that, remember that the factory used the SAME radiator on the 350 and 454 cubic inch engines through 1974, at least. IMHO, if everything else is up to spec, a stock radiator should be able to do the job.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
I went with a Dewitts and the dual spal fans to go with my 427 SBC. I wanted to make sure the cooling system was up to the task of cooling the new engine. Didn't make sense to me to spend thousands of dollars on an new engine to rely on a 30+ year old radiator to keep it cool and alive. JMHO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I do the same with an original style replacement, stock fan, shroud, etc...