After going to Mertle Beach for the Corvette Show, i too had the dreaded
got too warm thing going on. Temp got up to 240 on gauge with 160 thermostat, then turned on A/C to get the other fan to kick on-cooled to
around 190 but still climbed in traffic to 240. What is the advantage-disadvantage to the radiator places out there. I have seen Reliable, Dewitts, and AFCO. Had issues with my friends Champion rad he bought off EBAY, the 3 row came with lots of slag down in the lower hose area where some TIG welder was sloppy and had a small pinhole in the neck where he had missed welding it. I really want a 2 row radiator with a good fit and a decent price.

 

I vote for DeWitts, but I might be bias.

Here are a few reason to consider us:

1. We are a CF sponsor
2. We specialize in Corvette
3. We make our own aluminum cores, in house, in Michigan
4. All our radiators are a true Direct Fit
5. Welded by Craftsmen welders, packaged well, and shipped quickly

 

I installed a DeWitts last winter and have been very pleased with the results.

Tom quickly answered my questions about the correct radiator for my car, the radiator was a high quality piece, and my temps dropped approximately 14 degrees from my stock radiator. And the best part, made in the USA.

 

I got a NOS OEM Delco from Corvetterecycling.com. $120 delivered. Cruising temp is a steady 185. NO radiator will keep temps down while stopped, since there is no airflow to remove heat unless the fans are on. I put in two manual fan switches for this, and even while stopped the temp falls like a stone when I turn them on.

Total investment $125 for no more overheating worries.

 

For my LT4: I have the Dewitts dual core, factory stock fans are reprogrammed to come on at 181, off at 170, and a hypertech 160 thermostat. My typical interstate drive runs around 170-173F; for city, I finally installed a manual fan override (one fan on or off), that keeps city temps between 175-180. This keeps the fans from cycling on/off every 10-15 minutes. I ran Route 66, 2400 miles, with this setup without any issues or concerns. Most highway runs are with fans off, low 170's temps (summer or winter,)

Oil temps keep within 15-25 degrees of coolant.

I haven't seen any temp higher than 195 (A/C on, hot day, city, uphill).

I LOVE my DeWitts, install was as advertised "Direct Fit", all true. I bought direct from them, received fast shipment, plug 'n play install. No opinion on their high volume fans option, I run fine without this option here in the Colorado mountains, quick runs to Denver, and the occasional road trip thru new Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.

As a temp snob, I am clearly a happy camper here. I recommend the DeWitts Dual Core.

 

I have a BeeCool in mine because I got a smoking deal on it. Works great, But I ran a stock one with my 396 and had no real issues running hot. If your stock, a stock "clean" rad will work fine.

I did put a Dewitts in a road racing/hill climb 86 and it fit way better than my BeeCool. I had a issue with the trans cooler leaking and they replaced it free. Very good customer service, Always answers quickly! If your going aftermarket, go Dewitts!

 

addendum on my DeWitts....

When coming to a stop (city driving), temps drop like a stone if one or both fans are on.

 

I have a DeWitt's radiator along with there high speed fan in my 89 with a 383. The radiator does a great job, but the addition of there fan really maxamizes its potential. I have lowered my fan on , fan off, temps to 196 degrees on, 184 degrees off, using a 180 degree thermostat, and when the high speed fan comes on it takes about 45 seconds to cool the motor down to 184 degrees, the temps (like mentioned above) do drop like a stone....The other nice thing about there fan is it keeps the under hood temps alot lower by moving the hot air from the engine bay quicker, this can make all the plastic and rubber parts in the engine bay last alot longer..I recommend the DeWitt's radiator and fan without hesitation.......WW

 

The OEM radiator is marginal at best. Don't bother investing in another.

Get a DeWitts. (period) And a stock t-stat.

 

Have you tried the THOROUGH cleaning procedure as described on multiple occasions here? It's the one where you pull the top/sides and clean between the condenser and radiator.

Supposed to work wonders. (At least consider trying it before ordering/buying another unit. You'd have to take that stuff loose anyway -- to replace the radiator!)

 

I have Dewitts.

Today i was driving on a 105 F weather and the temperature was at 180 F. Stopped in traffic it climbed to 202 F.

Thats all I have to say.

 

DeWitts sound good if you can afford the Cadillac of radiators. OTOH, there are other (successfully used) options out there. I've seen a thread or two during the past year! LOL Of course, we'v'e seen a thread or two about headers, 160-stats, and "how much HP can I get?" LOL LOL

I've also seen too many people panic about the temps reached on a hot summer's day in traffic. For the most part, GM designed these things to run hot (for emissions). They installed the EGR to prevent NOx fumes at higher temps. Mine ran up in the lower 230's before my build (under the same conditions you described.)

1/4m racers like the lower temps (under 200) to make more power -- especially if a higher-compression build is in play. Street applications (with street compression) don't need to stay that low. So, IMO, paying for a DeWitt is like putting 93 octane in a car that requires 87. You can do it, but you don't need the overkill.

Again, make sure it's clean. Even a stock replacement has been reported to cure the "issue" you descibe. And, by that I mean temps are lowered about 10-15 degrees. With a 195 stock stat, you gotta know temps were designed to be in the 200's.

 

I agree in part with this post, some parts not. Consider the following:

The stock GM stat for your '95 is 180F, not 195 (early C4's), so the engineers must have decided that operating temps of 180-190F were appropriate. (Or maybe not appropriate, depending on your love of GM talent.)

Your beach trip exceeded this by 50-60 degrees. Sorry, anything over 30F in my book needs a good explanation or becomes an "issue" on my fix list.

I have no idea what "street compression" is, so I did some Google'ing and found these GM compression numbers: my LT4=10.8, your LT1=10.4, my K1500 (350cid)=8.6. I conclude you are NOT running "street compression", and this might partly explain your higher temps.

Dewitts is a Cadillac radiator, in my opinion. Worth the money, again in my opinion. People like 'em, they work, in other's opinions. And there are other dual-core or performance radiators out there that I'm sure would work as well.

I initially replaced the original factory radiator with Genuine GM, and a new 180 stat, but continued to have "heat issues" (200-225F, not bad but borderline if you're me). GM was not as expensive as a non-GM dual core, but it wasn't free either, and in the end I eventually opted for a solution and not a band aid. An expensive lesson.

I also put 93 octane in the tank when available, because this is a performance car, not a Honda or Malibu we're dealing with. I don't skimp on this vehicle, I skimp on my old Silverado instead, and run cheap 85 in it.

I don't consider my setup overkill at all, just a logical solution to a common problem with these cars. I like my 160F stat, but to return my LT4 to its intended 180F operating range, I only need to install a stock 180 stat. If you've done your due diligence about cleaning the existing radiator and air inlets, then it's time to consider something better for your car, if you think your car is worth that investment. A DeWitts is cheap in comparison to a new LT1.

Done. Apologies if I stepped on any toes

 

DeWitts keeps my 383 cool as a cucumber on and off the race track.

I love it!

 

I still have the stock unit in mine, which is amazing. It ran at 178° last evening while doing some data logging, outside temp was 90°. I've cleaned out the shroud and have a non-stock water pump. Check for debris in front of the radiator!

 

Wouldn't happen to be because you make them, would it?

Was going to pull the trigger on it last year when you had a sale going on but something else came up. When do you think you might be running another special or sale?

 

Wouldn't want to cut me a good deal on one with an integrated oil cooler for the track car would you??? It has been on my list for a while but never got around to it.

I'll gladly throw a DeWitt's logo on the side. I can almost hear your enthusiasm from here but hey... it's the only bargaining chip I have. Ohhhhh, military discount?! Can't blame a guy for trying!

 

I've had a DeWitts on my LT-5 for about 5 years, No problems

 

I need one for a 91 auto. I will see your bargaining chips and raise the stake. My first born son (no kids so I can say that)

 

I talked to them about one for an 86. I'm pretty sure we ended up with the decision there isn't enough space between the rails for it to fit.