Z06 Radiator Situation
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 14
From: Chicago Illinois
Z06 Radiator Situation
I have a 2004 Z06 with a leaky radiator. Whenever something like this happens I try to think ahead when doing a fix or replacement. I do a couple of high speed events every year, the last one at Autobahn in Joliet, IL. I was 3 sessions in to a 5 session day when my DIC reported that my trans was overheated. My car is bone stock so I have no fluid coolers except the radiator. My question is - can I replace my radiator with one designed for the A4 and then use the trans cooling portion of it to pump my MT fluid through? I know I would still have to design a pump circuit but I wouldn't have to buy and find a place to mount a free standing cooler. Would the A4 radiator provide enough capacity to make the effort worth while ? Thanks for your suggestions.
Ken
Ken
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
Not the complete answer you are looking for but good information, the radiators sold for all C5's currently will have the trans cooler in them. So which ever GM or aftermarket radiator you go with will have the cooler.
I did not think the manuals had a trans temp sensor. All C5's have an oil temp sensor, could it have been oil temp that you got the alert on?
The auto's do have a trans temp sensor.
Gary
I did not think the manuals had a trans temp sensor. All C5's have an oil temp sensor, could it have been oil temp that you got the alert on?
The auto's do have a trans temp sensor.
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,977
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
You may find this topic interesting:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-a-c5-z06.html
I would not replace a GM radiator with another GM radiator with plastic end caps.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-a-c5-z06.html
I would not replace a GM radiator with another GM radiator with plastic end caps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The C5 Transmission can barely keep up with STOCK power and duty without overheating.
I STRONGLY recommend getting an aftermarket trans cooler and properly adding it to the trans oil cooler line. Your car, your transmission and wallet will thank you!
I STRONGLY recommend getting an aftermarket trans cooler and properly adding it to the trans oil cooler line. Your car, your transmission and wallet will thank you!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 14
From: Chicago Illinois
Gary thanks for replying. I checked my service manual and indeed there is a temp sensor on the MT. It also functions as the fill plug. I should have remembered that from when I swapped out my trans fluid. Thanks for making me do a double take.
93polo thanks for the link.
Bill I've seen you a lot on this forum and respect your opinion. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Ken
93polo thanks for the link.
Bill I've seen you a lot on this forum and respect your opinion. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Ken
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,977
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
The trans/diff is strong enough to do track events especially at stock power levels. I would be sure to keep good fresh fluid in it. If you have over temp problems, you may want to post in the autox section. Plenty of guys are tracking without additional coolers but it is certainly a good idea. Doug Rippie makes some well engineered cooler kits.
Last edited by 93Polo; Jul 8, 2017 at 10:06 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Don't know whether it is still offered but there used to be a GMPP T1 Transmission/Diff Cooler that you could add to the car. I had it on both my 97 and 03Z. It had a pump that pulled the trans fluid out of the tranny and pumped it to the front of the car where it was cooled in a Fluidyne Stacked Cooler mounted in front of the AC Condenser and then returned to the transmission. The cooler works well enough that it helps cool the diff through case conduction.
I also added the DRM Ron Davis Racing Radiator with built in engine oil cooler which kept the engine coolant and oil cool. Combo of coolers made for a reliable track car.
Bill
I also added the DRM Ron Davis Racing Radiator with built in engine oil cooler which kept the engine coolant and oil cool. Combo of coolers made for a reliable track car.
Bill
