PoprocksC4

Is there a better radiator available for the 93?
doing a coolant flush soon and looking for ways to keep the temp down. What makes the thing run so stinking hot? I'm afraid to let it idle too long. 5 minutes and its reading hot!
guide me to a thread on solutions. Thanks!

belairbrian

Cooling has been discussed to death. Understand that a car reading 220 is not overheating. Also use the coolant temp in the Speedo LCD not the gauge

But start here. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...peratures.html

KMS88Cal#16

Love your car and wheels. These car are know to pick up debris in the bottom of the radiator, so I would check that. When you flush your coolant, you could change your thermostat to a 180 degree one. Kevin

84 4+3

Get a digital readout. While 220 may seem hot it really isn't too bad. You can have the fans come on sooner via a sensor change (reprogram the ecm for a 93 perhaps?) Definetly clean out the area between the intake and rad, chances are it'll be caked with leaves. Mine immediately comes down to temp when I take off even on 90+ days with the stock unit. As long as the fan cycles it'll be fine.

Tom400CFI

Do the coolant flush. The cooling system on the 'Vette is way better than "good enough"....except for when it hasn't been maintained. Yes there are better radiators. Is it worth $pending $$$ for them? No...not until you upgrade power considerably or your OEM plastic side tanks crack.

hcbph

Assuming there's nothing physically wrong with the radiator, cleaning it out can help. Take the cover off the top and get in there with a vacuum cleaner hose and use a spray hose to flush it from the inside forward. You'd be surprised how much junk gets sucked up into that area over time and plugs up the radiator.

mazdaverx7

I was having some cooling issues with my old 94 6spd and I found that I had to clean in front of the radiator and in between the radiator and condenser at least once per year. The fist time I cleaned everything out I took a few pics. No wonder I was having issues. I never installed a lower temp thermostat or fan switch and I never had cooling issues after that. Here are a few pics of what I found:





What a difference:

belairbrian

When I replaced my heater core (bypassed when I bought it). the coolant wasn't pretty, sort of brown and neglected. Flushed everything out.and everything was good. Then one morning I was going through the base gate and the guard mentioned I had steam coming from the wheel well. Got to the parking lot and found a little geyser from an upper house. Just a pinhole. let it cool and electrical taped it to get home. Decided I wasn't going to drive around with 25 year old cooling parts, so I changed everything. Radiator, pump, thermostat, every hose, and the thermostat housing. Even the sagging torn front spoiler.

Since then I haven't had a cooling issue, even here in Alabama.

I've noticed a couple of interesting characteristics of this cooling system.
At a stop light the car runs cooler with the A/C on. Since both fans are on vs no air flow.
Thus I see warmer temps in the fall when I have the top off and A/C off.

Since rebuilding my cooling system I have yet to see the temp above 210 even at a stop light. And as soon as I get moving it drops back down. My system is bone stock. Except for the TB bypass.

Nothing against DeWitts, there products are great from what I've read. But as others have said. The factory system is up to the task when maintained. For the cost of there 2 row I replaced the entire system with stock design aftermarket parts.

cv67

Go the extra mile, yank the radiator out, hold it up to light bet you cant see through it.
Blasting the fins wiht water from the backside will make a night and day difference.

You can always buy a stock replacment radiator, have the fans come on earlier that is all you really need.
Thos cars run TOO damn hot from the factory it was mainly for emissions. IMO it just cooks everything plastic & rubber under the hood and shortens alternator life
Get it under 190 I bet you notice a slight power difference.

BLUE1972

Friend did the Dewitt's - makes a huge difference. He got it with the fans. Especially with the A/C in traffic .

Cleaning does help - a lot. I clean my 85 twice per year.

If I keep the car will go wit the Dewitt's as my engine is worked.. a lot... I upgraded the fan, helped a little.

vette196

with what you're doing, which dewitt would you go with? They're on sale now.

cv67

HOw mamny with phy pp vision e o e430w[prt

vette196

KyleF

As others have stated, check and make sure the radiator surface is clean. It would probably be a good idea to pull it and reverse blow the fins with compressed air. It may also be time for a new thermostat.

There is nothing wrong with the car being at 220* in slow moving traffic. The bigger concern would be if its not in the 190's while cruising. Then you have a cooling issue.

PoprocksC4

Thanks for the all the help! And the compliments. I think I'll clean up what i have, replace potential failures, hoses and Tstat. that are 25 yrs old. Cut open the filter box.
I'll save the water pump until i replace the opti-spark. Doesn't like to run after i wish the engine bay down. Not talking power wash either.
thanks again.

Keepin' cool in Cripple Creek.

BLUE1972

I would go with the direct fit - 30% increased cooling - as per them. I would also go with their fans..

DGXR

I agree with replacing the thermostat even if you already have a 180F. I just replaced mine even though my highway temps were only 194-ish. I used a stock 180F unit. My highway temps are now 188 and my city temps are much lower than before. Also agree with basic maintenance/cleaning, if your cooling system is otherwise in good condition.