Be Cool Radiators...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 810
Likes: 4
From: Austria
Be Cool Radiators...
Hi
i want to swap to a Be cool Radiator
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul....asp&x=43&y=12
What dou you think about them?
are they worth their money, how is their quality?
Regards
i want to swap to a Be cool Radiator
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul....asp&x=43&y=12
What dou you think about them?
are they worth their money, how is their quality?
Regards
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
I cant speak for myself, but I will relay in the info my brother gave me when he upgraded his 96CE to the Be Cool Radiator. He said the install was simple, and the car drives a lot cooler. He said everyone on the west coast should have one. He lives in Arizona..
Hopefully some more guys will chime in!
Hopefully some more guys will chime in!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
For the same money ($499 IIRC) you could have a Dewitts radiator.
Enlarge the pictures on the Summit site. If you look at how the end
tanks are made on the Be Cool and compare these to the end tanks
used on the Dewitts, there is is a decided difference.
Performance is going to be similar, all other things being equal.
However, the Dewitts is just such a much nicer looking piece. Plus,
Dewitts includes the larger rubber mounts so that you do not have
to carve up the OEM ones to get the rad seated. They call their
unit a 'Direct Fit' and it is - drops in with NO tweaking required.
Besides making a fine radiator, Dewitts are easy to deal with,
they pack well and they ship quickly. They also happen to be a forum
sponsor - Tom Dewitt posts here from time to time.
I like the Dewitt I bought for my '89.
.
Enlarge the pictures on the Summit site. If you look at how the end
tanks are made on the Be Cool and compare these to the end tanks
used on the Dewitts, there is is a decided difference.
Performance is going to be similar, all other things being equal.
However, the Dewitts is just such a much nicer looking piece. Plus,
Dewitts includes the larger rubber mounts so that you do not have
to carve up the OEM ones to get the rad seated. They call their
unit a 'Direct Fit' and it is - drops in with NO tweaking required.
Besides making a fine radiator, Dewitts are easy to deal with,
they pack well and they ship quickly. They also happen to be a forum
sponsor - Tom Dewitt posts here from time to time.
I like the Dewitt I bought for my '89.
.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by corvette90
Hi
I want to swap to a (BIGGER) Radiator
are they worth their money?
I want to swap to a (BIGGER) Radiator
are they worth their money?
I think they are!
What you get with an aftermarket aluminum radiator is two rows, instead of just one. This adds about one gallon more capacity to the system and doubles the cooling tube surface. The tig welded aluminum end tanks eliminate factory plastic tanks and the failures with cracks and gasket leaks.
As nicely stated above, you compare the looks:
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
I will say this, I got a great deal on my B-cool but it is not a direct fit. I had to carve both my fan shroud and the rubber mounts. The Dewit one looks a whole lot more like a direct replacment, almost the same as the stocker to be honest. I got mine for $200 so I am quite content but if i was going to buy new I would go with the Dewit one. Another thing about the B-ccol is it places the fans real close to the radiator, so much so in fact they sell a spacer kit.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Hesperia California
I have an 89 that I put a new motor in. I was sitting in traffic in Las Vegas and I had to turn the a/c off.
I then put a Be Cool in. It fit great with no alterations. I did have to remove the drain petcock to slide it down into the lower support, and then put the petcock back in.
It heats up slower in traffic, but it will still heat up with the a/c on in 90-100 degree temps with both fans on (I have fans on switch).
I plan to replace the aux. fan infront of the condenser with a bigger fan to push more air through.
Not impressed with Be Cool!
I then put a Be Cool in. It fit great with no alterations. I did have to remove the drain petcock to slide it down into the lower support, and then put the petcock back in.
It heats up slower in traffic, but it will still heat up with the a/c on in 90-100 degree temps with both fans on (I have fans on switch).
I plan to replace the aux. fan infront of the condenser with a bigger fan to push more air through.
Not impressed with Be Cool!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
For those who have not added manual fan switches, a tip
to remember with these cars, the '89 anyway, is to keep
the A/C engaged and to turn up the temperature on the
climate control.
The main fan is controlled by the ECM and it only operates
(as required) when the A/C is on. If you punch the 'Econ'
button, the main fan won't run. Leave it on A/C and raise
the interior temp to disengage the compressor - this will let
the A/C condensor cool down and the main fan operate.
A secondary benefit of bumping up the climate control temp
is that the heater core helps a bit to disperse coolant
temperature.
.
to remember with these cars, the '89 anyway, is to keep
the A/C engaged and to turn up the temperature on the
climate control.
The main fan is controlled by the ECM and it only operates
(as required) when the A/C is on. If you punch the 'Econ'
button, the main fan won't run. Leave it on A/C and raise
the interior temp to disengage the compressor - this will let
the A/C condensor cool down and the main fan operate.
A secondary benefit of bumping up the climate control temp
is that the heater core helps a bit to disperse coolant
temperature.
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
My vote goes to De Witt over Be Cool. Be Cool is nice too but 100-150 bucks more for the same quality why pay more, go for De Witt. I think all vette's should be equipped with De Witt or Be Cool especially if it has Cam/Head/Coated Headers package, period.
Originally Posted by Tom DeWitt
I edited your question to be generic and my reply is:
I think they are!
What you get with an aftermarket aluminum radiator is two rows, instead of just one. This adds about one gallon more capacity to the system and doubles the cooling tube surface. The tig welded aluminum end tanks eliminate factory plastic tanks and the failures with cracks and gasket leaks.
As nicely stated above, you compare the looks:
I think they are!
What you get with an aftermarket aluminum radiator is two rows, instead of just one. This adds about one gallon more capacity to the system and doubles the cooling tube surface. The tig welded aluminum end tanks eliminate factory plastic tanks and the failures with cracks and gasket leaks.
As nicely stated above, you compare the looks:
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 810
Likes: 4
From: Austria
wow..seems to be a hot-or rather cool topic
i want to drop in a 396, and my current stock radiator is maexed out, i think with my current setup...so i really need a bigger-better radiator...
i think i should get in touch with DeWitt..i hope he ships to Austria!!
i need the radiator for a 90 manual six spped, so i think the A90M should fit
regards
i want to drop in a 396, and my current stock radiator is maexed out, i think with my current setup...so i really need a bigger-better radiator...
i think i should get in touch with DeWitt..i hope he ships to Austria!!
i need the radiator for a 90 manual six spped, so i think the A90M should fit
regards
Last edited by corvette90; Nov 14, 2005 at 01:59 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 810
Likes: 4
From: Austria
Their BTU ratings are about 1600 higher than the stockers...they should cool down pretty good...
i have now a lets say..good running 350, and with my 180F thermostat and fans set a bit lower, they run the most time when driving in summer...so my stocker will not support the 396..relatively sure...
i have now a lets say..good running 350, and with my 180F thermostat and fans set a bit lower, they run the most time when driving in summer...so my stocker will not support the 396..relatively sure...
Last edited by corvette90; Nov 14, 2005 at 02:25 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
By the way, I believe Tom posted a generic pic of a Dewitts
rad.
This is what the one for an '89 looks like - I imagine it is the
same as your '90 would require.
.
rad.
This is what the one for an '89 looks like - I imagine it is the
same as your '90 would require.
.
The A84A fits 84-89 and it is a true direct fit. No modifications are required and the custom cushions are included. It features a filler neck on the top as original and it probably is the nicer looking radiator.
The A90 model is available in auto (A90A) or manual (A90M) and it does NOT include the rubber cushions. It also DOES require some cutting to make it fit, just like every other double row replacement. That is because GM didn't allow room for a thicker radiator. You can over come this clearence problem with two methods. You can shim the fans back about 3/4" or trim off 3/4" of the plastic that interfers with the installation. We provide a detailed instruction sheet on how to do this modification and it's really very simple to do. Any kind of tool that can cut plastic can be used and it will take about 5-10 minutes. I like the trimming method better because it brings the fans back to the original location and you cannot see the mods at all. The spacers that be cool sells cost another $150 for the pair and that's money you can save.
Last edited by Tom@Dewitt; Nov 14, 2005 at 07:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Oops, my mistake. I thought the rad changed up in '91 or '92 and
didn't look to verify this before posting.
Also, Tom is too much of a gentleman to mention it but the current
price on the website is $495, not $499 as I had suggested earlier.
.
didn't look to verify this before posting.
Also, Tom is too much of a gentleman to mention it but the current
price on the website is $495, not $499 as I had suggested earlier.
.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Just wanting to make sure, the A84A that fits 84-89 requires NO cutting? Is this correct?
How come there isn't a manual A84 radiator?
thanks
How come there isn't a manual A84 radiator?
thanks
Normally, a "manual" radiator means no transmission cooler is in the radiator but C4 manuals used 4 + 3 transmission and they use an oil cooler. So, the A84A works on both manual and automatic. Only 1989 models could use a radiator with no cooler, as 1988 was the last year for the 4 + 3 but we just use the A84A for that one year anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 2
From: Oviedo FL
I too have a Be-Cool and couldn't be happier with it, but if I was to do it now I would get the DeWitts. I paid $499 for mine 5 years ago and it did require some trimming to get it installed. With that being said, I road race this car in the dead of the Florida summer and I have never seen temps over 220 degrees. Prior to the Be-Cool I would consistenly see temps around 240 during my sessions.
Mike
Mike
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by joshwilson3
Thanks.
Can you recommend the best heater core replacement, including the best waterpump and hoses?
Reason being, is I'm sure since your make radiators, that you know of some good products for the rest of the cooling system.
From what I took from your site, if I use an A84A in an 89 and decided to go with your dual fan kit, then that kit would require cutting and/or modding to get it to fit?
thanks
Can you recommend the best heater core replacement, including the best waterpump and hoses?
Reason being, is I'm sure since your make radiators, that you know of some good products for the rest of the cooling system.
From what I took from your site, if I use an A84A in an 89 and decided to go with your dual fan kit, then that kit would require cutting and/or modding to get it to fit?
thanks
You are right about the dual fan kit. The stock fans are made in two halves and you have to cut up the plastic pretty good to get the duals to fit
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 810
Likes: 4
From: Austria
Hello Tom!!
i hope we can get to our deal, maybe here
Regards
Reinhold
Edited:
i searched around and found this : www.absoluteradiator.com
they have various radiators which all looks fine
i hope we can get to our deal, maybe here
Regards
Reinhold
Edited:
i searched around and found this : www.absoluteradiator.com
they have various radiators which all looks fine
Last edited by corvette90; Nov 15, 2005 at 04:05 PM.