Dewitt Aluminum Radiator, Installation

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May 14, 2010 | 12:34 AM

PLRX

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From: Riverside County Southern California

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Dewitt Aluminum Radiator, Installation

This is one of the best upgrades you can do to a C4 Vette. My LT4 has this radiator and it stays cool no matter what, where or
how you drive. It is expensive but, you do get what you pay for.

Last edited by PLRX; Jan 13, 2011 at 08:32 PM.

May 14, 2010 | 01:03 AM

JrRifleCoach

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Sweet!

Nice pics too!

May 14, 2010 | 07:02 AM

Weav's Vet

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From: Sandhills of North Carolina

Nice write up Pete!

May 14, 2010 | 07:29 AM

c-4 lhozwalte

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From: van buren ar

is the radiator less than 500 bucks?

May 14, 2010 | 08:11 AM

BerniesVette

Melting Slicks

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From: Knoxville Tennessee

I have had my DeWitts installed for 5 years now. Best thing I have done for the car. I installed a mesh screen in front to keep trash from being sucked into it. The original rad had at least 1/3rd of it plugged from leaves, oine needles etc and still kept the engine cool.
Great write up on your swap!
Bernie

May 14, 2010 | 10:02 AM

mbowers13

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From: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrangeCorvettes/

Top notch thread and pics, way to go Pete! I believe this might make it to the to-do list.

May 14, 2010 | 10:27 AM

0Tom@Dewitt

Former Vendor

Joined: Jan 2000

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From: Brighton

Updated instructions

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLRX

You must trim the fan's frame (about 1/4"), it is to compensate the extra thickness of the 4 row radiator.

Great job and photos. Just one comment...the trimming the of frame is not required if you use the spacer bars. Since you trimmed it already, you could take the spacers out and get the fans a little closer to the core. But if it's working well enough you could just do nothing.

Oh, the core is actually a 2 row not a 4 row.

Thanks again for the write up and comments

May 14, 2010 | 11:46 AM

MK 82

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2008

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From: Palm Beach

I agree. I just got around to installing the DeWitt I have had for a couple of years while I have the engine out. I didn't use the spacers, just trimmed the fan mounts.

Eddie

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May 14, 2010 | 12:15 PM

slickfx3

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From: Los Angeles CA

I drilled five holes there. Now they allow the water to drain and not to puddle in there.

is it possible to cut a big opening/slot, that way the garbage/stuff never accumulates in there ever again?

May 14, 2010 | 01:48 PM

#10

MK 82

Melting Slicks

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From: Palm Beach

From my install.

May 14, 2010 | 10:28 PM

#11

PLRX

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From: Riverside County Southern California

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May 14, 2010 | 10:37 PM

#12

mackeyred96

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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey

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Quote:

Originally Posted by c-4 lhozwalte

is the radiator less than 500 bucks?

Mine was.....

May 15, 2010 | 12:24 AM

#13

eguyett1985

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Fresno CA

Great write up as usual Pete! I just got my Dewitt's this week and will be doing the install on my 85 very shortly too...it looks like just the ticket to cool my motor.

May 15, 2010 | 12:38 AM

#14

427c4vette

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On my 85 I had to replace the air conditioner condenser with a thinner one as the thicker 84 and early 85 condensers won't fit with the thicker Dewitt radiator.

May 15, 2010 | 12:47 AM

#15

lushdrunk

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From: Charlotte NC

PLRX: Is you car an automatic? Did you have to measure the dimensions of the radiator before the install?

May 15, 2010 | 02:00 AM

#16

dogfish246

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From: North New Jersey

Nice Write-up! Let us know of the temps you see now (highway and traffic)!!!

May 15, 2010 | 08:21 AM

#17

PLRX

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lushdrunk

PLRX: Is you car an automatic? Did you have to measure the dimensions of the radiator before the install?

Automatic, Didn't measure just follow advice from members in the past. If you do not trim the shroud, it will not fit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogfish246

Nice Write-up! Let us know of the temps you see now (highway and traffic)!!!

Yesterday going uphill towards Mt. McKinley temp went up to 202 F

May 15, 2010 | 11:31 PM

#18

PLRX

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It was about 85F at Death Valley today and if you look at the temperature, it keeps it cool at 170 F

Jun 9, 2010 | 01:46 PM

#19

PLRX

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From: Riverside County Southern California

Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified

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2016 C7 of Year Finalist

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom DeWitt

Tom, just noticed this post.

I tried but the fan frame was totally against the radiator. I didn't want to damage the rad so I trimmed it. It was minimal work.

Great Product

Jun 9, 2010 | 03:42 PM

#20

94vettelover2

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2009

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From: Minneapolis MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLRX

It was about 85F at Death Valley today and if you look at the temperature, it keeps it cool at 170 F

It nice to see people drive their vettes like their meant to be driven.I can't stand seeing a "older guy" drive a corvette slow.Whats the point?Buy a Mercury Grand Marquis if you drive slow.I remember one time this older guy was driving a new Zo6 slower than how my grandma drives.OPEN THAT THING UP once in awhile old man

I'm not saying for those guys to speed but at least go with the flowing traffic

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