Last summer was a hot one for us in the Pacific Northwest, and with all the climate changes going on, it is expected to be so again this year. There were several weeks in the high 90s and low 100s, and the Vette didn't like it too much. She kept her temps at a tolerable level as long as we were moving along at a good clip, but getting stuck in rush hour traffic...stamdstill or creeping, was another story. Coolant temps rocketed to the 230s and even sometimes into the 240s. It never blew the coolant system, but I was not liking the experience at all. I have a 170 degree thermostat, and the rad fans are programed to come on at much lower temps than factory settings, but the heat load was too much and the cooling system could not keep up. In order to reduce the load on the rad in the high spikes I would use the old trick of first cutting off the air conditioning, and if it was still getting hotter then I would turn on the cabin heat full blast. GEEZE it was sweaty, but the extra heat loss from the cooling sysem by running the heater would actually drop the temp from the 140s or 130s by about 10 to 15 degrees. I don't want to go through this again and am planning on a bigger radiator soon. Anyone buy and install a DeWitts? The are a sponser here, and seem to have a pretty good reputation for good quality and performance. I am heading their way, but wanted to get commentary from anyone who has installed one before making the plunge.

Comments anyone???

 

I can speak for the quality and service of Dewitts from experience but all of this was for my 76. I purchased a replacement aluminum radiator and the dual electric fan setup. Install was very easy and fit like a glove. to Dewitts!!!!

Hope this helps.
Gunny

 

Before doing that couple things to consider. First make sure the existing radiator fins are clean so you can see through it, nothing collected on the surface of the fins. This may require removing it for a thorough cleaning. If your using a vacuum use the soft brush attachment and only go in the directions of the fins. I went through something similar with my '93, last summer temps on it went right up the scale even at highway speeds. I replaced with a new OEM radiator and it was night and day difference, I was now in the mid summer heat operating at temps I've never seen before (190). Yours has been in service now for about 7-9 years so it just may need cleaning. Dirt collecting on the fins when it gets wet turns to mud and seals up many of the fins. The radiator begins operating at a fraction of its original efficiency.

 

Based on what is on your webpage, it doesn't look like you have any mods which significantly increase your HP. Since this seems to be the case, and even with lowered fan temps, you can't keep your temps down; I'm guessing there is something wrong with your cooling system. I'd guess debris and dirt has clogged up your AC condenser and radiator. My stock (cooling system, anyway) 02 does not ever go over 230, even here in MS, where temps in the summer frequently are over 100.

 

They made some good points and I love my DeWitts radiator and I have had it on my car the entire time I have been blowin and the hottest I have seen in bumper traffic has been 225 and that was when the air temp was around 100 with humidty that we see every day in the summer in San Antonio area, oh I do have a few ponies above stock