I ordered a direct fit "no modifications" radiator from DeWitts based on all the good reviews on here. The no mods radiator comes with a sheet of how I need to cut up my fan shroud to use it. That sounds like modifications to me.
I have an 04 with an A4 so I have the quick disconnects. The new radiator does not have trans cooler fittings in it. I would prefer not to trust my trans to a 20 year O-ring inside a fitting that I can't replace but apparently that's what DeWitts expects me to do.
I have a few questions for you folks:
- Does it sound like DeWitts sent me the radiator that I ordered? I'll call and ask tomorrow when they're open.
- Am I being unreasonable thinking that this is not a no mods radiator?
- Do know where/how to get the gaskets that go under the quick disconnects or replacement quick disconnects or both?

Thanks for the assistance.

 

You do have to trim the rear shroud in order to clear the increased capacity. I recommend using a silver Sharpie to layout the trim lines and a Dremel with cut off wheel to perform the trimming -- at least that's what worked for me. What did not work for me were the fan shroud hooks on the radiator -- there was not sufficient room on the driver's side for the upper mount ear to clear the upper inlet tube, even without a radiator hose. Seriously recommend checking that prior to installation.

 

Looking forward to the feedback from DeWitts.

 

I think DeWitts sold you the radiator you selected for your own needs. It is a MUCH bigger radiator so some work will be needed as shown above to make everything fit and function in harmony. Fittings can all be adapted if needed.

I think you chose a solid radiator which from the looks of it doesn't require any special or excess effort to install. I'm not up on info for those fittings though so hopefully someone else can chime in to help you there.

 

It isn't like you need an axe to start chopping up the shroud to work. I have a 2000 A4 vert. My DeWitts has been in for almost 20 years and 100,000 miles. It has cooled a built, 600+chp LS7 for that time frame. Never wore out radiator hoses, or any other problems. NOTHING is perfect, nothing.....

 

I hope my new one will prove the same longevity built and sold more recently by new owners. I can vouch for age of old production units though as the new coupe has one which would have been installed circa 2002. However, this one has not stacked a lot of miles. The chassis has 49k and the entire drivetrain done between 02 and 04 is nearing 8k now.

 

They claim it’s a “direct fit” with “zero modifications to install”.

The fact that it isn’t is an understandable complaint by the op when laying out $800- $900.

 

Valid for many.

I think only the fully uninitiated to modification or general car maintenance at all would find this one a hardship though. It's a 1 on a scale of 10.

 

Or even .5 of 10. Bottom line is once you cut a tiny piece out of the shroud, you're good to go. If you want the best radiator out there, you have it now. If you're entering a concours, all original down to the bolts car show, then there'll be very few aftermarket components that won't disqualify your car. 99% of C5 owners will never know the radiator has been changed. But your engine will.......

 

Good info as I am in the market for one. I was thinking about the dropped top one to clear SC ducting if anything to provide more room for a large air bridge.

 

No mod generally means you do not have to mod to put the Radiator in. Now as for fans or what ever you use for cooling is on that part. Should you use the factory fan it is up to you to make it work. Or you can use an aftermarket that bolts on,.
Many radiators require much work to make them fit and mount in the car. A little trimming is getting off easy.

Call and see if you have the right radiator. Do you need a bigger one or not. Larger may need some changes like trimming and a stock size may just bolt in.

If you are putting out significant more power a larger or more efficient one is a good idea as more power generates more heat. Also consider where you live too. Hotter climate may need more cooling too.

Match the unit to the needs. Bigger is better only if you need it.

 

I don’t recall trimming anything on my 03z or my old 02 A4. Either way it should be an issue. A pair of heavy duty shears, Tin snips or if you like the mess a dremel should make short work of it. First rule of hot rods is direct fit is a loose term no matter the quality.

 

The only mod I have in this area of the car is the Vararam so no change from stock on the radiator. My fans are factory. I'm not making much extra power as the only engine mod I have is a set of 243 heads as a set of reman 243s was only a $20 more than a reman set of 241s. I wanted a radiator that didn't have plastic ends to hopefully avoid the leak I have now, in the future. I would have ordered an eBay radiator if I thought I could have connected my trans to the cooler in it but there is plenty of conflicting information out there about C5 trans cooler fittings and what is in use on the later ones. I talked to Engineered Cooling Products, for whatever reason, they were not confident that they had a solution that would work for me. This is how I ended up with DeWitts.

I was never terribly concerned about the mods, I do object to marketing something as no mods required and the first thing you see when you open the box is here are the mods you need to do.

I was very surprised to not get trans cooler fittings on the new radiator. These seal with an internal O-ring that should not be re-used after 20 years. That being said, if I was expected to reuse them I should absolutely have been given the quick disconnect to radiator seals. These were not provided, in fact there was nothing in the box besides a radiator and some paperwork.

DeWitts was very responsive on the phone and is sending the seals and fittings but in my opinion these should have been in the radiator before it left the factory.

 

Not a great plan for 25 year old plastic that has been through hundreds of heat cycles.

 

I've had good success with this technique.

 

An oscillating saw works very well also.

 

DeWitts sent the transmission fittings that I needed. Thank you for that.

I got the radiator in the car. I don't have the fan shroud that they sent pictures of in the box. Apparently some C5s only have one fan and that is the one that needs modified. If you have the two fan one it just fits on. I did have to put the lower transmission fitting on after the fan shroud but other than that it went together well enough.

In today's episode of I wish I bought a different radiator, DeWitts oversizes the inlet and outlet on the radiator. I bought bought Mishimoto hoses. I think the hoses may run a little small. With the combination, I have not figured out. A way to get the hose on the radiator. I tried a heat gun and Vaseline. Are there any other thoughts out there on how to get the hoses on? Has anybody else tried this combination?

My last problem is that I hit the ceiling of my garage with my open hood with the car on the lift. I was a touch, frustrated and not paying enough attention. It left relatively small holes in the drywall. But now the hood contacts in the middle on the front and will not close. I think I just have to replace the hinges because I bent them, but I don't see how I could have hit anything hard enough to bend them. None of the adjustments seem to let the hood close properly. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

 

Rounded flat head anything. Dish detergent with water. Wipe the detergent/water mix inside the hose. Press fit as best you can onto the fitting. Run the screwdriver or whatever will fit at the angles you need inside the hose from the fitting side and work it around the rim while pressing the hose into the fitting. <giggity>

Napa or factory hoses work fine

We've all been there. Glad you're sticking to it. It'll get there.

 

The modification referenced here is to the fans, not the radiator mounting and it's very minor.


A small piece of the corner needs to come off to get the shroud to lay nice and flat. A "modification"? Yes, but not a big enough one to say the radiator isn't a Direct Fit. As far as the fittings go, no replacement radiator includes them. The only ones that do include the fittings is because the cooler port is the wrong ones, so they supply adapters. Don't shoot the messenger, I sold the business ten years and retired in 2020

 

Thanks Tom. As it turns out 04s have 2 fans from the factory and don't require this modification. All I had to do was to install the lower ATF cooler fitting after the fans were installed on the radiator.

I still haven't managed to get the hoses installed yet. I can get them onto the start of the radiator port but I can't get them over the bead rolled into it. I've ordered an exhaust pipe expander to see if I can stretch the hoses a bit before installing them. Maybe this will work.