0Tom@Dewitt

Why do C4's run 200 degrees or hotter? Answer: whimping single row factory aluminum radiators. Griffin racing makes a direct fit radiator that can double the cooling capacity because the core utilizes two rows of tubes instead of one. Griffin list price $625, DeWitts sale price $450 while they last. 84-89 use part number 6284AFBAX, 90-96 use part number 6290afbax. Automatic trans cooling is standard equipment.
For more info visit www.dewitts.com/pages/griffin.asp


[Modified by Tom DeWitt, 9:28 PM 9/6/2001]

Kale

Without making the thermostat open sooner, and fans come on sooner, will this radiator alone keep my car under 200 on those hot summer days?

Dualnic

i am with Kale/vash/..etc..whatever he calls himself these days ...standing still with no air...passing....temps r still going to go up.....till the fans kick in......i would think.


[Modified by Dualnic, 9:51 PM 9/6/2001]

Bill Reid

I will get one... when my 10% pay cut comes back and get a little overtime to cover toy upgrades...

0Tom@Dewitt

I believe any engine should run at the thermostat setting, just like the furnace in your house. You set it and it maintains the temperature. The problem is that many of these cars run higher due to a marginal factory radiator. The thermostat opens and stays open because the radiator just can't bring it back down. To answer your question, no the rad won't do it alone. If you want the engine to run at, say 180, you will have to tell it to. This will require a lower thermostat and/or changing the fan switch to come on earlier. The BIG difference here is that when it does start the cooling process, it won't go any higher. If you just change the switch/and/or thermostat it just starts earlier and then procedes to 220. I am offering a forum special on these rads for $440.

Mr. G.

Tom,
A few questions...
Are the numbers you list above Pro or HP series?
If Pro, do they make an HP series that will bolt in, or is modification to housing needed?
What exactly are the differences between the 84-89 model and the 90-96 model. Is it actual radiator size or tran coolant fittings?
I see two 84-89 models on your site: 6284AF-BAX and 6584AF-BAX???
Thanks
Joe



[Modified by Mr. G., 4:13 PM 9/7/2001]

86Coupe

Try a 160 degree thermostat, custom chip, and a stewart hi-flo waterpump, my C4 runs 160-165, only hit 170 once in stop-n-go traffic on a 90 degree day with A/C on, total cost <$200 and a days work compared to $450 + labor, it's all about preference....


[Modified by 86Coupe, 4:20 PM 9/7/2001]

0Tom@Dewitt

Mr. G, the models quoted are the pro series. With all Griffin rads, the second number represents the series. IE 62****** =pro, 65*****=HP. The HP is a little more expensive and really not required here. The two row pro series is the same thing that visteon makes for most nascar racers. I typically only use the HP with old big block cars. That the difference in the two part numbers on the web page. The two rads you questioned are slightly different in size and the 6290 doesn't have a filler cap, it uses a separate filler tank. That's what "custom made" means. I don't stock the HP series for C4 because the pro series does the job and most people are not prepared to drop $550 for the rad. Griffin retails the 6584 and 6590 for $725 if you call them direct.

vettenuts

I have a 90, is this a direct drop in?

mackeyred96

Tom, thanks for the info. There maybe one in my future.

0Tom@Dewitt

vettenuts, by direct drop in I assume you mean are any modifications required. The answer is "no". They are "custom made" to fit nothing else but your car.


[Modified by Tom DeWitt, 8:23 AM 9/8/2001]

89vette

Tom, for my 89 396, is a dierect drop in or are mods required? Waht are teh hose sizes? Stock? Can I use my stock hoses and water pump?

Jason

Rkreigh

do you offer a radiator for a ZR1 (I believe they are the same as the standard C4, but not sure), don't need the auto trans cool feature.

I'm looking to cool 500 HP. factory radiator doesn't quite cut it with the ac on in traffic.

thanks.

89vette

That's my problem too. In traffic with the AC on it gets 225+ with both fans on and a 180 stat. Fans come on at 178. My current rad is kinda crappy inside though. I need a good flush.

Raysur

I'll be buying one in around 6 months. Looks like a good deal.

BrianCunningham

You guys might want to check this thread out
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=147703

0Tom@Dewitt

89, as I said above, direct fit, no mods, custom made, drop in, no changes, same hoses, will fit, right in, no changes, same, nothing different, and any other term someone can come up with to ask, "will it fit?"

89vette

What are you in bad mood or something? :D Maybe I'll call you to discuss this about my 89. The Griffin website states that this " The PRO SERIES appeals to the enthusiast whose cooling demands are important, but not critical." What is this telling me? How do I know that this radiator will cool my car the way I want it? I'd like it to stay between 180 and 195.


[Modified by 89vette, 7:31 PM 9/8/2001]

meach13

have you ever tried you rad. on a turbo car?
have an 89 twin turbo vette ( http://www.meacham.pointclark.net )
with the be cool rad and with the ac on it still runs warm in the 235-250 range

0Tom@Dewitt

89, no bad mood, just wanted to cover any and all the questions about mods and fitting in. As far as Griffins terms, they are a little vague. I've been doing aluminum rads for about ten years now and I think the hardest thing about it is to state something without contradicting some other statement I made. For example, someone asks me, "Will a Griffin rad perform as good as the original"? Well the anwser is year specific. If it was one of the old 60's aluminum rads, the answer is no. If it was a seventies brass rad the answer is yes. Griffins' all inclusive statement doesn't really mean that much, I mean, how much difference is there between important and critical? It's hard to do on the forum, with everyone watching, but when I am on the phone or face to face at a show, I usually answer the persons first question with another question. What year do you have? In the case of the C4, the situation is pretty simple. Two rows are better than one, period. The factory core used one tube 1 1/4" wide. The pro series uses two rows each measuring 1" wide or a 38% increase in cooling surface area. For this application, I feel that's going to be enough. Keep in mind, no one else makes a wider tube rad. Be-cools are all two row one inch. But if you really want the HP version, go for it. It will cool slightly better, I just don't think it's warranted. A little off topic but I got to mention, if you checked out the Griffin page you might have run across the features and benefits pages. While I really like the press formed tank look I don't know if I buy the statement about the fact the rounded corners are more "aerodynamic". I'd say that was pushing a little to hard. td