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I have seen a lot of people on the forum, and Youtube, install the Dewitts Direct-Fit Radiator without any issues. However, I cannot for the life of me get it correctly installed in my 2004 z06. It seems the tabs that hold the ac condenser are in the wrong locations. I have installed a Dewitts Radiator in my 69 Camaro without issue, but that's a much easier vehicle to work on. I ordered the 32-1139097E direct-fit radiator and 32-894C oil cooler kit after speaking to Dewitt's sales rep. It has has the following stamping on the bottom: 32-1139097E, 382856-1, 4/21 JN, which tells me it should be the correct version.
I have an email and call into Dewitts, but am I overlooking something? Dewitts is a great brand and I have had nothing but success with their products, which tells me this might be a user error. Has anyone else had this issue where the Dewitt's tab mounts do not line up with the locations of the original tabs, or not being able to align the fans and condenser? With the new radiator in the car, I cannot get the fans and ac condenser back on the tabs and lined up. I have attached pictures for reference.
I just installed the same radiator in my '03 Z06 this past weekend and the condenser fit perfect. When I get home I'll check the mounting tab locations vs yours.
OK just looked at my old original radiator and it looks just like your original, the part number on the Dewitts matches your radiator, it is also marked 4/21 like yours. It's hard to photograph because my car is back together but I can see the difference between my Dewitts radiator and where your condenser mounting tabs are on your Dewitts.
100% your Dewitts radiator was made wrong. Send it back.
Last edited by Old School; Jul 7, 2021 at 06:32 PM.
DeWitts is as good as they get. You'll never be sorry once you get it straightened out. Speaking of straightened out, I'm impressed with the angled upper hose port on the new DeWitts. Mine is straight, and though it doesn't touch my EBCM, apparently some people were having some VERY minor interference issues. Talk about listening to your customers. Kudos to Tom DeWitt, and the company, for turning on the proverbial dime, and making the change. I may be wrong, but this issue was only posted-maybe-3 or 4 months ago? Wow...
I just installed the same radiator in my '03 Z06 this past weekend and the condenser fit perfect. When I get home I'll check the mounting tab locations vs yours.
Curious, did you also get the matching dual electric fans with the radiator ? I read they pull twice as much air as the stock fans.
Curious, did you also get the matching dual electric fans with the radiator ? I read they pull twice as much air as the stock fans.
When I got my C5 Vert done, the engine builder asked me specifically what cooling fans I was running. I told him my stock C5 fans. He said "that's good to hear", and went on to say "The majority of aftermarket C5 fans do nothing to improve cooling over the OEMs". You should be aware that he was putting together a built LS7 for me, and he knew I had a DeWitts radiator. So he knew my motor was at 600+hp@crank, compared to 345hp, stock, and STILL recommended stock fans. Just trying to add info to thread....
Curious, did you also get the matching dual electric fans with the radiator ? I read they pull twice as much air as the stock fans.
I'm reusing the stock fans I'm sure they will work for my needs. The radiator upgrade was just a little insurance for occasional track days. My car is mostly stock. If I was in a warmer climate and sat in a lot of traffic I might have gone for the fan upgrade.
Thank you for all the feedback. I also spoke with Dewitts yesterday and they said that it did not look correct, but they would have to consult their engineering department. Kinda sucks as I had to take 2 days of PTO and 2 radiator drain/fills to figure it out! lol, I guess that's the cost of this hobby. Tom, thank you for your input here as well.
I decided not to use the SPAL fans. Again, a lot of people have great success with them, but I could never keep the big block in the 69 Camaro cool with them. They were tightly sealed to the radiator and pulling the correct amps. I went back to a clutch fan and now I do not get over 180* in traffic. The possible additional horsepower of electric fans means nothing to me when you have driveability issues. Plus, who needs an extra few HP in a street car with over 550tq/hp at the rear wheels, lol.
Last edited by tunerdude; Jul 8, 2021 at 09:36 PM.
Dewitts Radiator Install Issue
