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The radiator in my 99' Vert is leaking from the top drivers side at back of rubber hose on plastic housing. Looks like a hairline crack. The radiator is original to the car so I'll be swaping it out with a new one. Could go OEM with the ACDelco factory (plastic end caps) or DeWitts aluminum. Leaning toward the DeWitts as I live in the central valley of California and it gets hot here in the summer. Is the DeWitts overkill? I don't race or anything so would the ACDelco be "good enough"? Which way would you go? Thanks
I don't have the prices in front of me but if the Dewitts is within ~$100 of the OEM I'd do it. GM did hot weather testing and verified that the OEM one was sufficient for road use. It should be fine if you're just a cruiser. Make sure you clean the AC condenser fins extremely well while you're in there. It gets incredibly clogged and reduces effective cooling.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
in your case I would probably stick with oem... I have a dewitts and they are nice radiators but on a stock car that you don't ever plan to mod then there isn't a whole lot of benefit in my opinion... the oem radiator lasted for nearly 20 years and the one you replace it with should last as long as you own the car and maybe the next owner as well provided that you use a quality replacement... oem radiators are about $200 while the dewitts is about $600
I own a Dewitts with his Spal fan setup and it certainly is a great radiator. But for a stock setup it is way over kill IMHO even in the hottest of weather.
Neither your profile nor post indicate whether the car is a manual or automatic. If its an automatic make certain the replacement you order is for the early year (97 - 2000) automatic. GM changed the adapters for the trans fluid lines starting model year 2001 and there have been a number of threads about members buying after market radiators that have the wrong adapter for their year. As far as I remember reading there is no conversion option to make the older/newer adapter couple correctly if the radiator you receive has the wrong style.....
I have a manual transmission (6-Spd). I'll go with the OEM and take you and the other guys advice. Thanks!
I almost think I'll go with the DeWitt's when my current rad hits expiration. I know it will be overkill, and won't make any difference without other changes (i.e. tuning fan switch points and thermostat), but in central Florida it will just make me feel good. Yes, $400 more good.
Plus, it looks fantastic. At least it will before it's installed...
I recently upgraded to a DeWitts in my manual trans 02 Z06. There was nothing wrong with my stock radiator. I just did not like the fact that in the summer time and/or in traffic the coollant temps would approach 230.
I am mostly stock but I like the fact that my coolant temps now are rock stable at about 190.
Don't forget that DeWitts, Ron Davis and Direct Fit are not the only option for a fabricated aluminum radiator. Although they are all top notch high quality units, there are folks here on the forum have had good luck with the Engineered Cooling Products (EPC) #1480 radiator. It is available for manual transmission C5 as well as early and later automatic transmission C5. Plus it's priced a lot lower than the above mentioned units.
I received the new ACDelco OEM radiator from Rockauto. First "red flag": The box had been previously opened and had a large gash that penetrated the fiberboard. No apparent damage to the radiator. 2nd "red flag": The radiator looked like it had been previously installed as it had a lot of small "gashes" on the radiator fins, both sides. The radiator looked like it had a lot of "shelf" wear. Third "red flag": The build date stamped on the radiator was 12/12. This radiator was almost 6 years old! I sent it back to the vendor who refunded my money. I ended up going with a DeWitt's. What a difference in quality, size, workmanship. I'll install it this weekend and report back my experience!
Sorry to hear about the arrival condition- this isn’t too uncommon with online vendors - my vote would have been DeWitts I know it’s $600 but definitely don’t have any overheating issues or concerns with future leaks or failure.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
that's unfortunate about rockauto, that would have saved you about $450... no doubt the dewitts is a superior radiator in every way but it's hard to recommend that for a bone stock car, but you already have it now so enjoy it
I received the new ACDelco OEM radiator from Rockauto. First "red flag": The box had been previously opened and had a large gash that penetrated the fiberboard. No apparent damage to the radiator. 2nd "red flag": The radiator looked like it had been previously installed as it had a lot of small "gashes" on the radiator fins, both sides. The radiator looked like it had a lot of "shelf" wear. Third "red flag": The build date stamped on the radiator was 12/12. This radiator was almost 6 years old! I sent it back to the vendor who refunded my money. I ended up going with a DeWitt's. What a difference in quality, size, workmanship. I'll install it this weekend and report back my experience!
I have returned "open box, never installed" parts to Rock Auto and they are the best. Due to the fact that what should fit on a 02-03 Vette does not always is not the fault of the secondary parts vendor. Just ask anyone who has tried to fix the dreaded gas gage issues on a mid model C-5.
Don't forget that DeWitts, Ron Davis and Direct Fit are not the only option for a fabricated aluminum radiator. Although they are all top notch high quality units, there are folks here on the forum have had good luck with the Engineered Cooling Products (EPC) #1480 radiator. It is available for manual transmission C5 as well as early and later automatic transmission C5. Plus it's priced a lot lower than the above mentioned units.
Thanks for pointing this out! Great price, I will report back with how it goes, my '01 gets up over 230 with the AC on in stop and go traffic at 90 degrees, don't want to think about later this summer. I will clean the condenser really well when I put in in and want to see that rock solid 190!
Thanks for pointing this out! Great price, I will report back with how it goes, my '01 gets up over 230 with the AC on in stop and go traffic at 90 degrees, don't want to think about later this summer. I will clean the condenser really well when I put in in and want to see that rock solid 190!
Was at a road track event yesterday, 25 min. sessions, 80* + high humidity, 198-205 coolant, 205-232 oil (fluid/fluid oil cooler), ECP manual radiator. Nothing against the others, putting a couple kids through college eats me up, had a Fluidyne that lasted 17 years.
Don't forget that DeWitts, Ron Davis and Direct Fit are not the only option for a fabricated aluminum radiator. Although they are all top notch high quality units, there are folks here on the forum have had good luck with the Engineered Cooling Products (EPC) #1480 radiator. It is available for manual transmission C5 as well as early and later automatic transmission C5. Plus it's priced a lot lower than the above mentioned units.
I put an ECP radiator in my '01 M6 Convertible last weekend. I did have to bend a few tabs on the AC and shroud, but nothing major at all. Blew out the condenser while I was in there, that was scary! Lots of crud in there! AC blows colder now too! Drove home Thursday in like 7 mph traffic with the AC on auto in 95 degree weather, super humid Charlotte, NC. Two weeks ago the temp was up to 235 on this exact stretch of road, this time it never went higher than the small tick before 220 and at speed it runs one big tic below 220, so I am very pleased with it. The original one they sent was damaged, sent them pics and heard back within an hour to send it back, UPS would pick it up the next day, new one arrived about three days later. Very pleased with these guys, would definitely recommend them to anyone! Wish they made a drop in for my '03 Suburban! I already checked with CC in hand!
I received the new ACDelco OEM radiator from Rockauto. First "red flag": The box had been previously opened and had a large gash that penetrated the fiberboard. No apparent damage to the radiator. 2nd "red flag": The radiator looked like it had been previously installed as it had a lot of small "gashes" on the radiator fins, both sides. The radiator looked like it had a lot of "shelf" wear. Third "red flag": The build date stamped on the radiator was 12/12. This radiator was almost 6 years old! I sent it back to the vendor who refunded my money. I ended up going with a DeWitt's. What a difference in quality, size, workmanship. I'll install it this weekend and report back my experience!
Originally Posted by neutron82
that's unfortunate about rockauto, that would have saved you about $450... no doubt the dewitts is a superior radiator in every way but it's hard to recommend that for a bone stock car, but you already have it now so enjoy it
Thanks for the information. I've learned over the years that when ordering any OEM replacement for our C5s should be approached with caution as many parts have been gathering dust on the shelves. I ordered a set of OEM tire pressure monitors and after receiving them, found they were over 6 years old! Same thing with some wheel/tire packages with tires being over 3 years old and sold as "new". Sure, never used, but certainly not new.
When the time comes, I will probably go for the DeWitts aluminum option.
Just bought a OEM radiator for my 02 from GMPartsHouse for $210 plus shipping. Brand new in original carton. Got it in one day with standard shipping. I have purchased many OEM parts from these guys for great prices and service.
05-05-2018, 03:09 PM
OEM Radiator or Aluminum (DeWitts)?
COMPLETELY!!!
