Radiator report
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Radiator report
2001 Base Coupe, A4. The stock radiator was fine on the street, typically 195 F at 75 mph or 35 mph. No overheating in high ambient temperatures with A/C on at any speed.
Put a DeWitts radiator, new hoses, surge tank and clamps in last month, finally got to the track Saturday the 19th (Buttonwillow Raceway).
Coolant temp hardly budged off 195 F on the track, 20-30 degrees cooler than Laguna Seca in May. Trans fluid temp did not go above 230 F, in contrast with a "HIGH TRANS TEMP" warning in May at Laguna Seca (set at 270 F).
The new radiator also has an engine oil cooler loop, not connected yet.
I'm an old guy pushing 70, and it took me six hours to change the radiator, hoses, surge tank. Everything went OK, but you really do need to drop the front stabilizer bar for working room. Also, I taped a piece of cardboard to the new radiator to protect the fins while the fan shroud was maneuvered into place.
If I never have to remove another GM spring hose clamp, that will be fine with me.
Put a DeWitts radiator, new hoses, surge tank and clamps in last month, finally got to the track Saturday the 19th (Buttonwillow Raceway).
Coolant temp hardly budged off 195 F on the track, 20-30 degrees cooler than Laguna Seca in May. Trans fluid temp did not go above 230 F, in contrast with a "HIGH TRANS TEMP" warning in May at Laguna Seca (set at 270 F).
The new radiator also has an engine oil cooler loop, not connected yet.
I'm an old guy pushing 70, and it took me six hours to change the radiator, hoses, surge tank. Everything went OK, but you really do need to drop the front stabilizer bar for working room. Also, I taped a piece of cardboard to the new radiator to protect the fins while the fan shroud was maneuvered into place.
If I never have to remove another GM spring hose clamp, that will be fine with me.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
did you do the spal fans too?... I just installed a dewitts rad/fans on my car but I haven't been able to drive it yet so I can't really say anything other than it looks really cool
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I hate to mention this with all the good mechanics around here , but channel locks seem to get the hose clamps done with pretty easily. I guess channel locks are the ***** of the tool world. Hardly ever the correct tool for the job, so you don't want any association in public.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 110
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Years ago for my b-day a friend gave me a gift card for Sears. I used it to buy the tool for those spring clamps. It gets used a lot. I just swapped my hoses and coolant tank also. Made it a lot easier. I do a lot of side work and am glad that I have them.
Chris
Chris
