Radiator Upgrade
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 1
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 2
From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
I am running a Dewitt's here. Seems to work pretty well.
Regarding your question about oil coolers -- some radiators have an option that allows you to run lines from the pressurized side of your oil system through a cooler, much like the water pump runs coolant through a cooler (the radiator).
Some people have had great luck running oil coolers, others not so much. YMMV. I think it's generally not necessary unless you're tracking the car hardcore in road race situations or at autox events that have a sizeable course and allow your car to get good and hot for an extended period of time.
Regarding your question about oil coolers -- some radiators have an option that allows you to run lines from the pressurized side of your oil system through a cooler, much like the water pump runs coolant through a cooler (the radiator).
Some people have had great luck running oil coolers, others not so much. YMMV. I think it's generally not necessary unless you're tracking the car hardcore in road race situations or at autox events that have a sizeable course and allow your car to get good and hot for an extended period of time.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
Ben,
I am running the Ron Davis Racing radiator - http://www.rondavisradiators.com, with the integral oil cooler. RDR makes the radiators that both L.G. Motorsports and Doug Rippie sell. RDR also furnishes radiators for the Pratt and Miller C6R Corvette Racing team.
The radiator that they make for C5 Corvettes is approximately 2.5 times thicker than the OEM radiator. It will significantly reduce your water temperature. This radiator also has built into it an integral oil cooler. The oil cooler is welded into the right-hand tank. Running the power that you are running, you should also cool your oil. Using adapters available from Canton Racing Products - http://www.cantonracingproducts.com and Earl's of Indy - http://www.earlsindy.com you can plumb the oil cooler. I have written instructions on how to do it if you are interested.
Good luck with your decision.
.
I am running the Ron Davis Racing radiator - http://www.rondavisradiators.com, with the integral oil cooler. RDR makes the radiators that both L.G. Motorsports and Doug Rippie sell. RDR also furnishes radiators for the Pratt and Miller C6R Corvette Racing team.
The radiator that they make for C5 Corvettes is approximately 2.5 times thicker than the OEM radiator. It will significantly reduce your water temperature. This radiator also has built into it an integral oil cooler. The oil cooler is welded into the right-hand tank. Running the power that you are running, you should also cool your oil. Using adapters available from Canton Racing Products - http://www.cantonracingproducts.com and Earl's of Indy - http://www.earlsindy.com you can plumb the oil cooler. I have written instructions on how to do it if you are interested.
Good luck with your decision.
.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
Just because you get a bigger radiator, doesn't mean you'll get lower temps. If all you do is stoplight to stoplight driving, expect the temps to stay the same. If you do highway driving, and open track or road racing, you'll really see the benefits. To fully realize the benefits of the large radiator, reprogram the fans, modify the thermostat and get a vented hood...in that order.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 1
From: Defending the US Constitution in Northern CA
We have custom radiators built for us. They are rated to cool up to 750 HP.
We offer and stock them either with or without integrated oil coolers. They are also 2.5 times thicker than the stock radiator and I would highly recommend them if you are doing any track driving as that is where you will gain the greatest advantage.
The other place that thay are found to be most useful is if you add an intercooler for Supercharger (or TC) that is positioned in front of the radiator (i.e. Magnuson, Vortech...).
We offer and stock them either with or without integrated oil coolers. They are also 2.5 times thicker than the stock radiator and I would highly recommend them if you are doing any track driving as that is where you will gain the greatest advantage.
The other place that thay are found to be most useful is if you add an intercooler for Supercharger (or TC) that is positioned in front of the radiator (i.e. Magnuson, Vortech...).