New Radiator for 94-Need Recommendations Please
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by 66grandsport
Found crack at upper radiator outlet.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
I just installed a Dewitt's Direct Fit radiator on my 88. It holds twice the capacity of stock. My engine runs much cooler now. I also put in a 160 thermostat and had my chip reprogrammed to kick on the fans at 175. A new high output waterpump was also installed. My Vette would stay at 230 and overheat when stuck in traffic on a hot day. I had to shut the AC off because it ran hot with it on. Now it never gets over 190. Most days it stays about 175. A Dewitt will set you back about $500.00
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Kool88vette
I just installed a Dewitt's Direct Fit radiator on my 88. It holds twice the capacity of stock. My engine runs much cooler now. I also put in a 160 thermostat and had my chip reprogrammed to kick on the fans at 175. A new high output waterpump was also installed. My Vette would stay at 230 and overheat when stuck in traffic on a hot day. I had to shut the AC off because it ran hot with it on. Now it never gets over 190. Most days it stays about 175. A Dewitt will set you back about $500.00
I've got a pretty similiar experience.
I had a Dewitt's Radiator put in when my new 396 went in, I also had a elec water pump go in to and the fans turned on sooner. I have yet to see the temps go over 185.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by 66grandsport
Will the aluminum radiator keep it cooler. It was running 210 and above more than it should have considering the temp outside was 75-80 degrees.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by Wheelman
Dewitt and Becool make good radiators but they are expensive.
I don't think the are really. If you want the cheapest way out, then no doubt the factory replacements are the way to go. But you are thinking about an investment, then consider some of the differences.
A:With one of our Direct Fit models, you get a double row instead of the factory single row. The result is 100% addition capacity for cooling, when you need it.
B:you will also eliminate the failures from cracked plastic end tanks or the gasket leaks. Very common problem and that's what started this thread. Our Direct Fit rads have the aluminum end tanks tig welded on and they will never leak.
So, if you change your coolant every two years, use distilled water, you will never replace the radiator again. With the stock type, you will replace it every 4-5 years. A long term invester might say the higher priced radiator is actually going to cost you less in the long run.
Both Be-cool and Ron Davis are going to be in the $550-650 range. Ours are $495, and they have a two year warranty from any factory defects. The replacements have a 90 day warranty at best.
Expensive? No
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
Originally Posted by Tom DeWitt
Several here posted: expensive, pricey, huge dollars, etc.
I don't think the are really. If you want the cheapest way out, then no doubt the factory replacements are the way to go. But you are thinking about an investment, then consider some of the differences.
A:With one of our Direct Fit models, you get a double row instead of the factory single row. The result is 100% addition capacity for cooling, when you need it.
B:you will also eliminate the failures from cracked plastic end tanks or the gasket leaks. Very common problem and that's what started this thread. Our Direct Fit rads have the aluminum end tanks tig welded on and they will never leak.
So, if you change your coolant every two years, use distilled water, you will never replace the radiator again. With the stock type, you will replace it every 4-5 years. A long term invester might say the higher priced radiator is actually going to cost you less in the long run.
Both Be-cool and Ron Davis are going to be in the $550-650 range. Ours are $495, and they have a two year warranty from any factory defects. The replacements have a 90 day warranty at best.
Expensive? No
I don't think the are really. If you want the cheapest way out, then no doubt the factory replacements are the way to go. But you are thinking about an investment, then consider some of the differences.
A:With one of our Direct Fit models, you get a double row instead of the factory single row. The result is 100% addition capacity for cooling, when you need it.
B:you will also eliminate the failures from cracked plastic end tanks or the gasket leaks. Very common problem and that's what started this thread. Our Direct Fit rads have the aluminum end tanks tig welded on and they will never leak.
So, if you change your coolant every two years, use distilled water, you will never replace the radiator again. With the stock type, you will replace it every 4-5 years. A long term invester might say the higher priced radiator is actually going to cost you less in the long run.
Both Be-cool and Ron Davis are going to be in the $550-650 range. Ours are $495, and they have a two year warranty from any factory defects. The replacements have a 90 day warranty at best.
Expensive? No
I'm real happy with mine. It bolted right in no problem.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Tom DeWitt
So, if you change your coolant every two years, use distilled water, you will never replace the radiator again. With the stock type, you will replace it every 4-5 years. A long term invester might say the higher priced radiator is actually going to cost you less in the long run.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
My personal experience is, if you change your antifreeze every two years and use distilled water, you will have to change your radiator (regardless of who makes it) when the external part gets plugged with fine (sand like) particles embedded in the core.
The C4 is like a road vacuum cleaner with the low air intake for the radiator. And, all those fine particles kicked up by the traffic in front of you ends up in your core -- it acts like a filter.
I tried to clean all those fine particles out -- it isn't worth it.
The internals of my stock/original radiator and the tanks were like new after 11 years and 70K miles -- but the fins were too plugged to get it all out.
A new OEM radiator dropped my summer temps by about 20 degrees.
But, eventually, the new core will be full of sand too -- I try not to follow traffic too close anymore.
Tom Piper
The C4 is like a road vacuum cleaner with the low air intake for the radiator. And, all those fine particles kicked up by the traffic in front of you ends up in your core -- it acts like a filter.
I tried to clean all those fine particles out -- it isn't worth it.
The internals of my stock/original radiator and the tanks were like new after 11 years and 70K miles -- but the fins were too plugged to get it all out.
A new OEM radiator dropped my summer temps by about 20 degrees.
But, eventually, the new core will be full of sand too -- I try not to follow traffic too close anymore.
Tom Piper
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
The DeWitt radiator is one heck of a fine piece. If I had a need for greater cooling capacity, I would buy one of his. However, as a salesman will do, I think he exaggerated the cost effectiveness of his product. "If you change your coolant every two years, use distilled water, you will..." NOT, have to replace "the stock type... every 4-5 years.". My car was built in June of 1983. Next month it will be 23 1/2 years old. The radiator core is the factory original... 23 1/2 years old, not 4-5 years old. I have had tanks replaced twice, at a total cost of way less than a new stock radiator. And while it has received pretty regular maintenance, it has never seen a drop of distilled water. I'm sorry Tom. You make one helluva fine product, but your, 4-5 year vs forever, statement doesn't hold up.
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CFI-EFI, your tanks failed twice in 24 years. That's pretty good but not everyone lives in Utah. The plastic tank failures are much higher in northern climates where temperatures range from zero ambient to 250 operating. The constant termal changes can blow out the gaskets or crack the plastic in as often as 4-5 years. I know you like our stuff and support us well on the CF so I'm not picking a fight. Just saying it the $160 rads are not equal to the $495 radiator in quality.
Why aren't you using distilled water? It really is the safest thing to do. I've had guys rot out a radiator in as little as six months because they used well water or softened water. Even tap water has calcium and floride. Pre-mixed anti freeze from the store is 50/50 with distilled water becasue it's good stuff. Every aluminum rad manufacturer will agree.