ECP Radiator leaking - thoughts on replacement?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 670
Likes: 358
From: Windsor, CT
ECP Radiator leaking - thoughts on replacement?
Hi there. My ECP radiator has developed a leak. I still haven't figured out exactly where from as I will need to pull the fan shroud, but the coolant is collecting and dripping from the mount under the drain ****. At first I though it could be the drain **** and replaced that, but that hasn't stopped or slowed the leak with a new replacement. I do know it's not coming from any hose or fitting as all is bone dry after many inspections when hot or cold. Seems like it's either coming from a pinhole in one of the welds or a fin.
I did not personally install the radiator, it came installed when I purchased the car, but I know it was installed in '21-'22 because it was the last mod performed by the previous owner, so there is likely no warranty.
In case it's not an obvious/easy fix and I need to go with another radiator, should I roll the dice on another ECP radiator? What's everyone's experience with them? Doing a search in this forum shows mixed experiences. I plan on doing a good bit of HPDE over the next few years, so I won't go back to a stock style rad, but a LG/DeWitts/Ron Davis radiator is out of my price range. $400-500 delivered is about as much as I'm willing to spend, which happens to be the price range for a new ECP.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 169
From: Montgomery Texas
I'd pull the radiator out of the car and, so long as it's not destroyed, I would take it to a local shop to see if it can be fixed. You have to pull it out anyway ... so ask around and see who still repairs radiators in your area.
Radiator shops aren't usually too anxious to mess around with radiators that have plastic end tanks, but all metal radiators can usually be fixed. Take the radiator to a grown-up and get a free assessment of whether it can be saved.
Radiator shops aren't usually too anxious to mess around with radiators that have plastic end tanks, but all metal radiators can usually be fixed. Take the radiator to a grown-up and get a free assessment of whether it can be saved.
Last edited by Tron Z; Mar 28, 2024 at 12:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 4,355
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I don’t recommend another ECP. I ended up returning mine.
Dewitts has a “garage sale” page on their site. Kind of a scratch and dent, big discounts.
Im still using my OEM radiator, but would find the money for a race car…
Dewitts has a “garage sale” page on their site. Kind of a scratch and dent, big discounts.
Im still using my OEM radiator, but would find the money for a race car…
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 4,355
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It simply had too many design errors. It didn’t fit properly, the heater hose fittings were the wrong size, the radiator connections were located incorrectly, etc. After working around a number of issues, when the upper radiator hose simply wouldn’t fit, I took it out for that last time. I’ll never know if it cooled well, but it fit so poorly, it may as well been designed for a Mazda.
Im going to save my money for a Dewitt’s.
Im going to save my money for a Dewitt’s.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 670
Likes: 358
From: Windsor, CT
I wouldn't think there are radiator shops in my area, but there is one that all they do is make and repair radiators only about 35 min away. Go figure. Thanks for the suggestion!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Hi there. My ECP radiator has developed a leak. I still haven't figured out exactly where from as I will need to pull the fan shroud, but the coolant is collecting and dripping from the mount under the drain ****. At first I though it could be the drain **** and replaced that, but that hasn't stopped or slowed the leak with a new replacement. I do know it's not coming from any hose or fitting as all is bone dry after many inspections when hot or cold. Seems like it's either coming from a pinhole in one of the welds or a fin.
I did not personally install the radiator, it came installed when I purchased the car, but I know it was installed in '21-'22 because it was the last mod performed by the previous owner, so there is likely no warranty.
In case it's not an obvious/easy fix and I need to go with another radiator, should I roll the dice on another ECP radiator? What's everyone's experience with them? Doing a search in this forum shows mixed experiences. I plan on doing a good bit of HPDE over the next few years, so I won't go back to a stock style rad, but a LG/DeWitts/Ron Davis radiator is out of my price range. $400-500 delivered is about as much as I'm willing to spend, which happens to be the price range for a new ECP.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 670
Likes: 358
From: Windsor, CT
$600-$1200+ depending on what class/group/organization you run with, if you need an instructor, if you catch a sale, the condition of the consumables on your car, how well your car is currently prepped, and how far you live from the track.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
So that's a significant expense that would be lost if your radiator went South during the event.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I have learned from past radiator issues in cars that when they leak, replace them. I am now having my go to shop replace the OME radiator that is leaking at the bottom. This one lasted 20 years so another OME is being installed. Since the first one lasted 20 years, I suspect I will not have the car 20 years from now.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 670
Likes: 358
From: Windsor, CT
So the rad shop told me it's unfixable. The shop told me the materials were kind of cheap and advised me to try a different company's radiator. Looks like I'll be springing for something better.
