Radiators OEM vs Aftermarket
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Radiators OEM vs Aftermarket
Ive been researching the aftermarket radiator selection. Seems that a few brands have received much press and others with better pricing have been out of the press.
Im referring to the brand Champion Radiator out of San Leandro, CA. They offer a C4 3-core all aluminum replacement for 200 bucks plus shipping. (ebay)
Anyone out there have experience with this brand or have 2 cents to share about 3 core rads?
Im referring to the brand Champion Radiator out of San Leandro, CA. They offer a C4 3-core all aluminum replacement for 200 bucks plus shipping. (ebay)
Anyone out there have experience with this brand or have 2 cents to share about 3 core rads?
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Aug 9, 2009 at 02:14 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
While I'm sure my .02 is viewed as bias, I question their statement about being "made in usa" and in there own factory. I google earthed the address and found them to be operating out of a small retail office, across the street from Ihop. At $200 complete, the radiator cores must be imported from overseas. Three row cores are not as effective as a two row because the two row has wider tubes. It sounds good, but it's really deceiving. They claim their fins per inch (fpi) and tube spacing is unique and better than everyone else but we use 3/8" fin at 16 fpi too and so does most places. My guess is they by the cores from china and weld the end tanks on in that office unit, thereby calling them USA madE
Last edited by John Dingman; Aug 9, 2009 at 08:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,519
Likes: 1,305
From: Windermere FL
I put in a DeWitts many years ago and since then I don't have the car's temp guage go over the middle mark even in the worst inferno here in Florida with the AC on. It used to do that with the stock radiator all the time. I also run a 180 stat. I would highly recommend them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
If the car is being used for any competition go for a Dewitts, Be-Cool or Griffen, but for a daily driver stock is fine. I got a GM Delphi OE from thepartsladi 2 years ago and it does a great job..There price is $130.00...WW
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Three row cores are not as effective as a two row because the two row has wider tubes. It sounds good, but it's really deceiving. They claim their fins per inch (fpi) and tube spacing is unique and better than everyone else but we use 3/8" fin at 16 fpi too and so does most places.
The 500 dollar cost (without shipping) of your product is a bit steep for my budget. So you can understand my search for a lesser expensive product.
I will take your explanation as advise and consideration.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Why do you want a larger all aluminum Radiator? Do you race your Vette?
If not, the stock aluminum/plastic radiator with the stock thermostat cools just fine.
Also, if you're set on an Aluminum radiator, I would pay the extra money for High Quality Aluminum rather than an Inferior grade of aluminum made from cheaper materials. Remember, all aluminum is not the same Quality. You pay for what you get.
If not, the stock aluminum/plastic radiator with the stock thermostat cools just fine.
Also, if you're set on an Aluminum radiator, I would pay the extra money for High Quality Aluminum rather than an Inferior grade of aluminum made from cheaper materials. Remember, all aluminum is not the same Quality. You pay for what you get.
Last edited by GKK; Aug 9, 2009 at 04:42 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Why do you want a larger all aluminum Radiator? Do you race your Vette?
If not, the stock aluminum/plastic radiator with the stock thermostat cools just fine.
Also, if you're set on an Aluminum radiator, I would pay the extra money for High Quality Aluminum rather than an Inferior grade of aluminum made from cheaper materials. Remember, all aluminum is not the same Quality. You pay for what you get.
If not, the stock aluminum/plastic radiator with the stock thermostat cools just fine.
Also, if you're set on an Aluminum radiator, I would pay the extra money for High Quality Aluminum rather than an Inferior grade of aluminum made from cheaper materials. Remember, all aluminum is not the same Quality. You pay for what you get.
Last edited by samsonb; Aug 10, 2009 at 01:12 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I just got a Dewitt but yes, I have a 700hp race car. My new OEM rad just didn't cut it. I don't like buying stuff twice take into consideration your long term goals, you might just be better off waiting till you can afford the correct part.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
I just put a stock replacement Delco radiator into my ZR-1, from the partsladi on ebay. Cools very nicely compared to the dirt-encrusted original in there -- and these radiators are pretty popular among ZR-1 owners, so cooling should be adequate for L98 or LT1/4 cars too.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
That has always been my guiding light over the years. Considering I have invested more than double the value of my car. However it has always been reliable and dependable transportation even when a thousand miles from home.
Maybe I'll get my inheritance soon......
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Madison WI
If racing with ambient temps of 85+ my stock radiator after 2 or 3 laps on a track I was pushing 240 degrees (and the plastic cracked eventually). With a Dewitts I never got above 202 degrees even with a stock stat and fans while running full out laps for 25 minutes straight.
Stock normal driving= OEM
Racing= Dewitts or similar
Stock normal driving= OEM
Racing= Dewitts or similar
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,966
Likes: 709
From: WI
Good meeting you at Blackhawk! My stock rad doesn't get over 200° but my car isn't to stock anymore.
Hey I made a short video from yesterday. My trans got so hot there that I may have burned it up. I didn't have 3/4 on the way home for about 30 mins then it started working normally.
It was difficult to baby on it but at least I could still get out there.
http://vimeo.com/6037821
Hey I made a short video from yesterday. My trans got so hot there that I may have burned it up. I didn't have 3/4 on the way home for about 30 mins then it started working normally.
It was difficult to baby on it but at least I could still get out there.
http://vimeo.com/6037821
