LT1 Radiator Quest
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From: Ladson SC
LT1 Radiator Quest
I'm having trouble locating an OEM accurate radiator for my '94 vette with manual transmission. Every radiator I find has a transmisson cooler in it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but even the automatics did not have the trans cooler in the radiator. During my quest I expired all aftermarket sources (Autozone, Napa, Pep Boys, Advance Auto, Park Auto) and finally went to the dealer (believe it or not the dealer was the cheapest). Unfortunately, I still ended up with a trans cooler in the radiator. I did a little more checking and found the original GM part number 52460411 is obsolete. As far as I've found GM doesn't show that it has been superceded, it only shows the new GM part number 52473260. See pics
Does anyone have a source for a new radiator without a trans cooler that is not a $400 plus, 3 row, all aluminum, etc., etc.
Does anyone have a source for a new radiator without a trans cooler that is not a $400 plus, 3 row, all aluminum, etc., etc.
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From: The Top of Utah
What is your objection to the trans cooler? It isn't in the way. It doesn't compromise the cooling by the radiator. I can't imagine the trans cooler in the radiator was done away with for LT1 automatics, but I admit I know little of the later C4 cars. All of the replacement industry has reduced their C4 radiator inventory to two part numbers, 1984 - 1989, and 1990 and up. There is no good reason to manufacture, stock, and inventory, double the part numbers when one works for all.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
I do not think there were any LT1 automatics made by GM in 92, they are all ZF 6 speeds.
I agree with CFI, go ahead and use the one pictured, it will work just fine and there will be no issues of leaks as the cooler is not open inside the radiator.
If you do fine the correct one it should be a little cheaper that the automatic one.
There are several years that corvetts have the same dimensions on the radiator so there should be no fitment issues.
I agree with CFI, go ahead and use the one pictured, it will work just fine and there will be no issues of leaks as the cooler is not open inside the radiator.
If you do fine the correct one it should be a little cheaper that the automatic one.
There are several years that corvetts have the same dimensions on the radiator so there should be no fitment issues.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: FL
I do not think there were any LT1 automatics made by GM in 92, they are all ZF 6 speeds.
I agree with CFI, go ahead and use the one pictured, it will work just fine and there will be no issues of leaks as the cooler is not open inside the radiator.
If you do fine the correct one it should be a little cheaper that the automatic one.
There are several years that corvetts have the same dimensions on the radiator so there should be no fitment issues.
I agree with CFI, go ahead and use the one pictured, it will work just fine and there will be no issues of leaks as the cooler is not open inside the radiator.
If you do fine the correct one it should be a little cheaper that the automatic one.
There are several years that corvetts have the same dimensions on the radiator so there should be no fitment issues.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Detroit's West Side MI
DeWitt's (dewitts.com) has stock replacement radiators without the trans cooler.
I don't know what he charges.
If you aren't set on a new one you can have my old one from my C4 6-speed cheap. I put in a dual core with an engine oil cooler since my C4 is now track only. It's in great shape, no leaks. Pics if you want them.
But of course I have no idea how long they are supposed to last nor how much life mine has in it.
I don't know what he charges.
If you aren't set on a new one you can have my old one from my C4 6-speed cheap. I put in a dual core with an engine oil cooler since my C4 is now track only. It's in great shape, no leaks. Pics if you want them.
But of course I have no idea how long they are supposed to last nor how much life mine has in it.
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From: Ladson SC
What is your objection to the trans cooler? It isn't in the way. It doesn't compromise the cooling by the radiator.
To clarify my statement regarding automatics: I was speaking under the assumption that 1992 and above automatics had a liquid to air trans cooler mounted under the car, not a liquid to liquid cooler integral inside the radiator. If I'm wrong please correct me, because this is my main complaint against the change by GM. If no 92+ corvette uses an internal cooler (not even the automatics) and they put it in because the OEM manufacturer doesn't make a radiator without a trans cooler then shame on GM.
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by spinktec
I don't see how it a radiator could go unaffected by such an obstruction. If you compare the two you'd find the trans cooler unit has a solid plate with about 3/32 area around the edge for coolant to flow from the outlet of the radiator. In addition, the trans cooler adds a little more complexity and two more future leak points. To be fair I accept the idea that it is less expensive to manufacture a single part to cover multiple applications; as long as it is an aftermarket manufacturer. I don't accept the same from GM.
Originally Posted by spinktec
To clarify my statement regarding automatics: I was speaking under the assumption that 1992 and above automatics had a liquid to air trans cooler mounted under the car, not a liquid to liquid cooler integral inside the radiator. If I'm wrong please correct me,
Originally Posted by spinktec
because this is my main complaint against the change by GM. If no 92+ corvette uses an internal cooler (not even the automatics) and they put it in because the OEM manufacturer doesn't make a radiator without a trans cooler then shame on GM.
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From: Ladson SC
I stand corrected regarding the liquid to liquid trans cooler used in automatics.
Just to be clear, I'm not making assumptions, I'm asking a simple question about OEM components from the only people who seem to know the answer (this forum). I asked my authentic GM parts distributors and they more or less swore to me that there was, and always has been a single part number for that radiator. Logical conclusion is then: if my radiator was that single part, and it did not have a trans cooler, then no radiators had trans coolers. Apparently this is not true and I'm glad to know it.
Regarding the flow obstruction caused by the trans cooler. I just reviewed the position of the trans cooler in the radiator and I reassert that there is an unquestionable flow reduction affect over not having a trans cooler installed. Of course I expect the radiator will function adequately; and after all isn't that why I bought a Corvette instead of a Volvo, because I want a high adequacy vehicle not a high performance vehicle? No!
Just to be clear, I'm not making assumptions, I'm asking a simple question about OEM components from the only people who seem to know the answer (this forum). I asked my authentic GM parts distributors and they more or less swore to me that there was, and always has been a single part number for that radiator. Logical conclusion is then: if my radiator was that single part, and it did not have a trans cooler, then no radiators had trans coolers. Apparently this is not true and I'm glad to know it.
Regarding the flow obstruction caused by the trans cooler. I just reviewed the position of the trans cooler in the radiator and I reassert that there is an unquestionable flow reduction affect over not having a trans cooler installed. Of course I expect the radiator will function adequately; and after all isn't that why I bought a Corvette instead of a Volvo, because I want a high adequacy vehicle not a high performance vehicle? No!
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From: Ladson SC
This radiator cost me $170 to my door from GM parts direct. And as I said, it was less expensive and it has a much better fit and finish than the other three radiators I looked at from the aftermarket stores (as I mentioned they all had trans coolers too).
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by spinktec
Just to be clear, I'm not making assumptions,
Originally Posted by spinktec
I asked my authentic GM parts distributors and they more or less swore to me that there was, and always has been a single part number for that radiator. Logical conclusion is then: if my radiator was that single part, and it did not have a trans cooler, then no radiators had trans coolers.
Originally Posted by spinktec
Regarding the flow obstruction caused by the trans cooler. I just reviewed the position of the trans cooler in the radiator and I reassert that there is an unquestionable flow reduction affect over not having a trans cooler installed.
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From: Ladson SC
I posted this discussion in is Tech/Perf forum to avoid these types of inane, infantile responses. Thanks CFI-EFI, you've been a great help, but I'd love to hear from ANYONE else.
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From: The Top of Utah
Well the heck with you too, but when you make inane statements about "flow restrictions" that the industry hasn't seen as a problem, it is ME that you at MOST likely to hear from. Obviously you DIDN'T consider the flow route when you started the inane comments.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Bellevue NE
I replaced the radiator in my 94 6-spd coupe last year. Found the same thing you did, only the one part number available. I have had no issues with it, and the car gets autocrossed frequently. Have had no cooling issues at all.
Just my experience.
DaveZ.
Just my experience.
DaveZ.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Brighton
When we made our cooler we decided to build it offset, so the cooler would sit closer to the center of the tank and block less of the coolant flow. The photo below shows what I'm talking about. Note how close to the tank edge the GM 3 plate one is compared to our 7 plate unit.
Oh, and here is the manual version you are seeking
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From: Texas
GM discontinued the manual transmission specific radiator p/n years ago. Since that time, one part number has been/is available. Since the automatic transmission equipped cars need a cooler (go look at any C4 with an automatic transmission and they have the cooler in the radiator), guess which part number it is that was continued.
