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Feb 12, 2025 | 06:03 PM

JD1964

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 829

Likes: 192

Spare radiator

I have been in the habit of stocking replacement parts for my cars. My 96 LT1 has roughly 65k miles on it and still has the original radiator. Age is more of a concern to me than mileage. The stock radiator is still holding up and doing fine but I was contemplating having a replacement on hand in case its needed in the future. I saw this three row all aluminum on eBay for what appears to be a decent price. What is your opinion on this radiator for the price they want? Whould you consider it as a replacement for your C4’s radiator?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12540355785...mis&media=COPY

Feb 12, 2025 | 06:11 PM

ChumpVette

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 4,564

Likes: 1,676

I would sooner go to autozone and buy a spectre replacement unit.

Just installed a "cheapish" alum radiator. Both inlet and outlet hose fitting were under sized. Already questioning the rest of the quality.

Feb 12, 2025 | 06:44 PM

JD1964

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 829

Likes: 192

Chumpvette, what is the name brand of the all aluminum radiator you have?

Feb 12, 2025 | 06:46 PM

ChumpVette

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 4,564

Likes: 1,676

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD1964

Chumpvette, what is the name brand of the all aluminum radiator you have?

Champion is who supposedly made it. I imagine most of these knockoffs are done at the same place and just rebranded.

Feb 12, 2025 | 07:00 PM

JD1964

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 829

Likes: 192

In other options I see an OSC 1052 radiator (plastic tanks) at Rock Auto for $98. The same radiator at Autozone is $275

Feb 12, 2025 | 07:08 PM

ChumpVette

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 4,564

Likes: 1,676

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD1964

In other options I see an OSC 1052 radiator (plastic tanks) at Rock Auto for $98. The same radiator at Autozone is $275

Looks like autozone no longer carries the Spectra brand.

https://ecat.spectrapremium.com/en/parts/CU1052

Feb 12, 2025 | 07:10 PM

JD1964

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 829

Likes: 192

Spectra brand is listed at Rock Auto but currently out of stock

Feb 12, 2025 | 09:32 PM

gerardvg

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 3,751

Likes: 276

From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Be careful with eBay stuff made in China to a price not quality, there are good all aluminum two by one inch core radiators out there. I would not trust anything with plastic tanks, they will eventually crack.

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Feb 12, 2025 | 10:10 PM

Steve Swan

1994 LT1 1996 LT4

Joined: Sep 2024

Posts: 765

Likes: 712

From: East Front Range Colorado

After some deliberation, i bit the bullet and bought a Dewitts Direct Fit.

Feb 13, 2025 | 12:40 PM

#10

Polo Vert

Pro

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 697

Likes: 162

From: Huntington WV

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerardvg

I dunno, my stock plastic tanks are still holding up after 32 years. Will it fail? Eventually, but if it started leaking tomorrow I would still consider 30-some years a good service life. The factory plastic ones are holding up better than alot of these new aluminum ones. That being said, I'll buy a Dewitts unless I can score an NOS unit when mine fails.

Feb 13, 2025 | 08:10 PM

#11

Corvette_Dez

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2022

Posts: 1,478

Likes: 421

From: Ruskin, FL

Even though that's an attractive price, I wouldn't go with a generic aluminum radiator. I'd go with a good used Griffin, BeCool, or DeWitts. You should be able to get one for about the same price.

Feb 14, 2025 | 10:26 AM

#12

1993C4LT1

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 16,087

Likes: 819

From: Dallas Texas

2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

After some deliberation, i bit the bullet and bought a Dewitts Direct Fit.

Dual row?

Feb 14, 2025 | 10:55 AM

#13

Steve Swan

1994 LT1 1996 LT4

Joined: Sep 2024

Posts: 765

Likes: 712

From: East Front Range Colorado

@1993C4LT1 No, the Direct Fit Single row

Feb 14, 2025 | 10:59 AM

#14

rocco16

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 13,348

Likes: 233

From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD1964

I have been in the habit of stocking replacement parts for my cars. My 96 LT1 has roughly 65k miles on it and still has the original radiator. Age is more of a concern to me than mileage. The stock radiator is still holding up and doing fine but I was contemplating having a replacement on hand in case its needed in the future. I saw this three row all aluminum on eBay for what appears to be a decent price. What is your opinion on this radiator for the price they want? Whould you consider it as a replacement for your C4’s radiator?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12540355785...mis&media=COPY

For a hundred and twenty bucks, I'd take the chance.

Feb 15, 2025 | 07:02 AM

#15

Whaleman

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 4,195

Likes: 1,318

From: LeClaire Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD1964

Always check the feedback ON THAT EXACT ITEM. If you do it will show that some claim the trans lines don't fit and hose fittings are the wrong size. Dan edit: If you just check "feedback" that will show feedback on every item they sell. A few more clicks and you can see only the feedback for the exact item.

Feb 15, 2025 | 07:19 AM

#16

1993C4LT1

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 16,087

Likes: 819

From: Dallas Texas

2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

@1993C4LT1 No, the Direct Fit Single row

How do you like it, compared to stock? I have to take my car apart for a leaking crank seal. And might swap over to a dewtitts.

Feb 15, 2025 | 10:29 AM

#17

Steve Swan

1994 LT1 1996 LT4

Joined: Sep 2024

Posts: 765

Likes: 712

From: East Front Range Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1993C4LT1

How do you like it, compared to stock? I have to take my car apart for a leaking crank seal. And might swap over to a dewtitts.

the install was 3 wwks ago, i've only got to drive it once for 50 miles and that was in 40 degree temp. The install its self was straightforward and relatively easy. The hardest part was the lifting off the shroud after it was unfastened because the shroud material is so very brittle. i put on the very slightest amount of stress on it turning it to find the best way to free it from things it wanted to hang up on and the one area above where the condensor line enter to the confensor that's about maybe an inch wide cracked. Disappointed with myself, i conceded to remove that part of the shroud and the piece i removed literally broke apart easier than a Saltine cracker, so at least that helped me feel a little better. attached pic, you can see the area i ulrimately drcide to remove from the shrpud and now the shroud lifts straight op and off so future cleaning will be a snap. That and i turned the 6 little 7 mm screws the other way around so their heads are easy to get to.