Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input?
95BLKVette had a writeup on his install of his aluminum radiator in the following threads.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=323759
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=300840
i am somewhat concerned about his comment
so now i ask, where to look for a radiator that has fewer "problems" or midifications needed without spending $500!!!! :smash:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=323759
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=300840
i am somewhat concerned about his comment
Only one problem......it takes quite alot of trimming to fit properly
Not for the squeemish
Not for the squeemish
Drifting
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 6
From: Middletown New Jersey
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (85_togo)
Unless you have serious mods, stock radiator will suffice. I recently put a new stock radiator. That along with my 160 t stat and manual fan switch makes it rare my temps go over 200 degrees even with the A/C on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (85_togo)
None of the $200-300 universal fit radiators will work in a corvette; we have a weird size 15.5" x 28.5" which is very short (pre 1990.) I have seen some closer to this size than the one he used, but you're still in for lots of cutting. Although I don't understand why Griffin, BeCool, etc need to charge 2x as much for what is essentially the same radiator; just slightly different dimensions :confused:
On another note, if you'd like to try a custom made 3 core copper I've got one sitting in my garage. Used about 5 months- much better than stock, but not as good as the aluminum. Of course it won't cost you $500 either. I was thinking maybe $70 plus a pepperoni pizza... Come try for free first if you want.
On another note, if you'd like to try a custom made 3 core copper I've got one sitting in my garage. Used about 5 months- much better than stock, but not as good as the aluminum. Of course it won't cost you $500 either. I was thinking maybe $70 plus a pepperoni pizza... Come try for free first if you want.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (GlennS87)
People from NJ ought not to comment on how wonderful the stock radiator is till they've driven their car in AZ when it's 118F outside.
;)
;)
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (85_togo)
I recently replaced my radiator with an aluminum one from O'Reilly's Auto Parts for $170.00. The brand name on the box said GDI and stated that it was aluminum. It was super light and fit perfectly. The hardest part was getting that top cover off the radiator.
-Dave
[Modified by dj247046, 6:43 PM 9/18/2002]
-Dave
[Modified by dj247046, 6:43 PM 9/18/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (gcrouse)
gcrouse: what radiator are you running now? I was looking into a custom Ron Davis radiator. same brand LPE sells. It wouldnt be the same, and wouldnt be as expensive. Would require a bit of modification to the housings, maybe even a custom upper (no biggie, sheet of metal is alot cheaper then LPE's rad.)
Matt
Matt
Drifting
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 6
From: Middletown New Jersey
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (gcrouse)
Hey grouse,
Good point :) Although this summer in NJ we had a few days over 100 with much higher humidity than you get in AZ. Plus we have to worry about idling in traffic for long periods of time. BTW, I've alway been very impressed with your setup. I'd love to add a supercharger.
Good point :) Although this summer in NJ we had a few days over 100 with much higher humidity than you get in AZ. Plus we have to worry about idling in traffic for long periods of time. BTW, I've alway been very impressed with your setup. I'd love to add a supercharger.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (85_togo)
I just went through this. After weighing the options of price,looks after modifications in the rad area and the reduction in temp - I went with a beCool radiator from Summit for $549. Yes, very pricey but the temp does not see the other side of 195 at idle and in traffic. BTW slight modification is required even in this application in order to tighten the clamps on the hoses (driver upper) and the radiator cap area. Griffin and beCool will say it's direct fit but...
Hope this helps and good luck in your search!
Hope this helps and good luck in your search!
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Anacortes WA
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (85_togo)
I thought about an aluminum unit when I changed my radiator out. I read on this forum about someone running a stock radiator clone with a 383 stroker motor. Good enough for a stroker, go enough for me. At the time, I was driving in the Mojave during the summer. BIG improvement. I think getting all of the crap out from between the radiator and the air conditioner condenser (sp?) helped as much as the new radiator. Did I mention some one on this forum was giving out $50 coupons to CarParts.com at the time? Total cost (including shipping) installed: $111. Still working fine, especially now that I'm back in the northwest!
Cheers! :seeya
Cheers! :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (VetteRacer282)
I got the Griffin 2 x 1.25" core race version from Summit for around $500. Model #6584AF-XXX w/o AT cooler; #6584AF-BAX w/ AT cooler.
There's also the smaller 2 x 1" version model #6284.
Ron Davis is excellent; if you give them the dimensions and inlet/outlet position and size they should give you an exact fit- then again they should have this info for the vette. Be aware that any thicker radiator even if it's "custom fit" will need some trimming- maybe just the rubber mounts, maybe some of the fibreglass shround. It's bigger and there's no way around that.
More info from a recent thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=368767
There's also the smaller 2 x 1" version model #6284.
Ron Davis is excellent; if you give them the dimensions and inlet/outlet position and size they should give you an exact fit- then again they should have this info for the vette. Be aware that any thicker radiator even if it's "custom fit" will need some trimming- maybe just the rubber mounts, maybe some of the fibreglass shround. It's bigger and there's no way around that.
More info from a recent thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=368767
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (GlennS87)
Good point :) Although this summer in NJ we had a few days over 100 with much higher humidity than you get in AZ. Plus we have to worry about idling in traffic for long periods of time. BTW, I've alway been very impressed with your setup. I'd love to add a supercharger.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (85_togo)
I bought a Griffin from Forum Vendor-Dewitt. Works fine...fit was tight with trimming of the rubber grommets and some minor fan shroud-I bought the biggest they offered:)
I wonder about the generic models forced to fit the C4...after tons of miles and the vibrations associated-when will they start to leak, etc. I would rather buy one quality example than two or more down the road.
Good Luck
:)
I wonder about the generic models forced to fit the C4...after tons of miles and the vibrations associated-when will they start to leak, etc. I would rather buy one quality example than two or more down the road.
Good Luck
:)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: Radiator needed, Aluminum wanted! how about some input? (No Go)
I bought a BeCool unit
the only trimming that needed to be done was the rubber mounts
no other trimming needed
I did have to install a spacer to move the fans back.
[Modified by BrianCunningham, 1:09 AM 9/20/2002]
the only trimming that needed to be done was the rubber mounts
no other trimming needed
I did have to install a spacer to move the fans back.
[Modified by BrianCunningham, 1:09 AM 9/20/2002]