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Hey guys, Just got my car running in phoenix where it will be 110+ for the next 2-3 months. I need to upgrade my radiator. I'm running an A&A V3 kit and wanted to know did the radiator alone keep coolant temps down significantly without upgrading fans? If so did you go with the 1139197m model which is the 1" shorted version or would the 1139097m version suffice?
If you feel fans were needed, which ones did you select? Would prefer not to get fans if I don't need them, will not be trekking the car but would like to be able to drive in rush hour bumper to bumper traffic and not be concerned about overheating. Thanks.
Last edited by tommypenguin; Jun 13, 2018 at 11:03 AM.
Hey guys, Just got my car running in phoenix where it will be 110+ for the next 2-3 months. I need to upgrade my radiator. I'm running an A&A V3 kit and wanted to know did the radiator alone keep coolant temps down significantly without upgrading fans? If so did you go with the 1139197m model which is the 1" shorted version of would the 1139097m version suffice?
If you feel fans were needed, which ones did you select? Would prefer not to get fans if I don't need them, will not be trekking the car but would like to be able to drive in rush hour bumper to bumper traffic and not be concerned about overheating. Thanks.
I went with a DeWitt's radiator (1139097M) about a month ago replacing the standard OEM radiator that was leaking. I live in the central valley of California, very hot in the summer. So far, I have seen a 20 degree reduction in operating temps over the OEM radiator. Highway speeds average temp is 182. Previous temps were 199-205. Sitting in traffic, hot weather, my temps stay around 195. Before, 215-225 was common. I kept the factory fans, not upgrading to the SPAL DeWitt's fan combo unit. I don't have a supercharger, but I am very pleased with the radiator performance so far.
Last edited by Ceedub53; Jun 13, 2018 at 01:47 AM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I'd go with the full size radiator with no built in cooler for the extra capacity and if you need oil/trans coolers run those externally... spal fans are a great upgrade too but you can try the radiator first and see where you end up... another key to bringing the temps down is having the fans come on a lot sooner, once my car gets up to operating temp they run pretty much full time while at idle and shut off at cruising speed
After reconsidering I went ahead and ordered the spal sp015 fans. It's just too hot here in AZ to take the chance. Was 113 yesterday, need all the help I can get with cooling here.
After reconsidering I went ahead and ordered the spal sp015 fans. It's just too hot here in AZ to take the chance. Was 113 yesterday, need all the help I can get with cooling here.
You will be happy you did. Supercharged with Dewitts radiator and later the SPAL fans. I did the radiator first, it brought temps down, but not where I thought it should. Talked to a guy about his car and he said he did the radiator first and same as me it just didn't drop the temps down much. He put the dewitts SPAL fans in after and that did the job. I put the SPAL fans in and WOW those things really keep the temps down and bring them down fast. Be warned though, they are pretty loud. Go through a drive-thru and it will sound like a jet spinning up.
^^^Good to hear. This project continues to take a life of it's own. I replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses last year. Given my hoses are 17-18 years old along with my coolant tank I went ahead and purchased new coolant tank, and hoses from coolant tank to water pump/radiator. Will have virtually all new coolant system parts after this week.
I did their rad and fans when ebay had the 20% off coupon going. I'm planning on going blower this fall/winter. So i wanted to be ready. I talked to the guys at dewitts about which rad to go with. And unless you're doing the bigger intake/charge tube for the A&A the standard rad should fit fine. They told me it's actually 3/4" shorter than the stock one.
I'm running a twin turbo setup and had similar cooling issues as well. In addition to the upgrade of the radiator and fans (which I have also done) there are a couple of other things you may want to consider. First is a high volume electric water pump: (https://www.meziere.com/Products/Coo...ith-Idler.aspx) I believe this is the correct part but double check. The Second item is the Coolit from SacCityCorvette (http://www.saccitycorvette.com/COOLITv2.html), the added advantage of the COOLIT system is that it will also run your electric water pump after shutdown to cool the engine as well.
I have made both of these modifications to my car and are very happy with both.
Good to hear, hoping I don't have to go electric water pump route. Got the hoses all hooked up and coolant filled last night, need to zip tie the harnesses and hook up the fans next then put the supercharger back in. Also was running some cheap semi-metallic pads on my c6z brakes that were squeaking picked up a set of oem pads to quiet it down.
Going to take a few days off from the car, fractured my finger tip, need be able to bend it before I get back at it.
Got to drive the car yesterday and saw Temps down 30-35 degrees. Only issue I'm having is the hood hits the corner of the radiator condenser. Started a new thread for that issue.
Supercharged Dewitt's Radiator Owners, Experience Needed
