Radiator
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I would go with silicone hoses if replacing, and probably would be a good idea to replace anyway.
There is a forum vendor that sells complete hose kits: http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...iconehose.html
Look into using better clamps too. One that will not pinch in one area but clamp evenly. I believe the screw ones are the bad ones and the ones that need to be separated with plies are the good ones...search.
Also you might find this of interest: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-failure.html
Replacing the oem plastic "T" with a brass one.
There is a forum vendor that sells complete hose kits: http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...iconehose.html
Look into using better clamps too. One that will not pinch in one area but clamp evenly. I believe the screw ones are the bad ones and the ones that need to be separated with plies are the good ones...search.
Also you might find this of interest: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-failure.html
Replacing the oem plastic "T" with a brass one.
Last edited by Boomer111; Jan 4, 2016 at 06:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Contact Forum Vendor Gene Culley at CULTRAG for best OEM prices.
You may want to consider an upgrade to a DeWitts radiator.
Good advice on the hoses and clamps from Boomer111.
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/c...ts/c6-corvette
You may want to consider an upgrade to a DeWitts radiator.
Good advice on the hoses and clamps from Boomer111.
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/c...ts/c6-corvette
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Good advice above. If you're doing this yourself, you may want to consider other items on the front of the engine since the radiator's coming out such as the harmonic balancer. BTW, being an '08, was the coolant replaced a few years back (which is when it was due per Owner's Manual)?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 18
From: Chicago Illinois
St. Jude Donor '12
The radiator is not hard to replace yourself. The fan and radiator come out from the bottom (I guess they can come out together but I separated them). Upgrade to a Dewitt's radiator if possible. The plastic side tanks on the factory radiators are prone to cracking. If you do the job yourself, the toughest part will be separating the ac condenser from the radiator. If the current radiator is toast and will be discarded anyway then consider cracking off the plastic tab on the passenger side that holds the condenser. You can do this with a pair of pliers and a firm twist. The ac system does not need to be opened and the ac refrigerant does not need to be purged.
The plastic t fitting mentioned above may break during radiator removal so being ready for this with a brass fitting is a smart move.
I used breeze constant tension clamps on the upper and lower radiator hoses (these are much better than the standard worm clamp). I could not get a good seal using the factory spring clamps.
The plastic t fitting mentioned above may break during radiator removal so being ready for this with a brass fitting is a smart move.
I used breeze constant tension clamps on the upper and lower radiator hoses (these are much better than the standard worm clamp). I could not get a good seal using the factory spring clamps.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
With no info in your profile, I don't know where you live. If it was in AZ, I'd offer a used '08 radiator (125K miles) and/or a used replacement (~1,000 miles) for really cheap.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 6
From: Beverly Hills, CA. 90212
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
I had my replaced last month at the dealer..$218.00 for the radiator and 2 1/2 labor. I got gates hoses and clamps from O'Rillys...)08?Z51.....BTW.Those silicone hoses will cost more then the Radiator. They are fine if you show your vette.
Last edited by Cherokee Nation; Jan 6, 2016 at 12:12 AM. Reason: add
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
Better question, how long do you plan on keeping the vet.
The DeWitts do not have the plastic ends, so no fear of down the road the OEM plastic end on breaking/leaking again, and start at $625.
The OEM style with plastic end caps can be had for around $112 is you don't need the model with the oil cooler for an automatic or Z51 engine oil cooler.
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/part...tepCompleted=5
The DeWitts do not have the plastic ends, so no fear of down the road the OEM plastic end on breaking/leaking again, and start at $625.
The OEM style with plastic end caps can be had for around $112 is you don't need the model with the oil cooler for an automatic or Z51 engine oil cooler.
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/part...tepCompleted=5
Last edited by Dano523; Jan 6, 2016 at 12:02 AM.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
Contact Forum Vendor Gene Culley at CULTRAG for best OEM prices.
You may want to consider an upgrade to a DeWitts radiator.
Good advice on the hoses and clamps from Boomer111.
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/c...ts/c6-corvette
You may want to consider an upgrade to a DeWitts radiator.
Good advice on the hoses and clamps from Boomer111.
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/c...ts/c6-corvette
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
I just did mine a month ago.
I found the best online price and my local dealership matched it and I was able to pick it up next day.
Research your car. There are two different radiators for the Corvette.
One with oil cooler and one without. Without is under 200.00. With is right around 400.00.
It was about a two hour job and can be done with a basic tool set.
If you are lucky, Chevy did not route the air bag sensor wire through you support bracket.
Everything comes out of the bottom of your car.
Disconnect your hoses up top then climb under the car and go to work.
I found the best online price and my local dealership matched it and I was able to pick it up next day.
Research your car. There are two different radiators for the Corvette.
One with oil cooler and one without. Without is under 200.00. With is right around 400.00.
It was about a two hour job and can be done with a basic tool set.
If you are lucky, Chevy did not route the air bag sensor wire through you support bracket.
Everything comes out of the bottom of your car.
Disconnect your hoses up top then climb under the car and go to work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 242
From: Surprise, Az
I caution against installing a brass "T", you will be introducing a different metal into the cooling system and setting yourself up for electrolysis between the brass and aluminum engine/radiator.
I went with DeWitts, they are pricey but the quality is there plus there is extra cooling capacity for those really hot days.
I went with DeWitts, they are pricey but the quality is there plus there is extra cooling capacity for those really hot days.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
I just did mine a month ago.
I found the best online price and my local dealership matched it and I was able to pick it up next day.
Research your car. There are two different radiators for the Corvette.
One with oil cooler and one without. Without is under 200.00. With is right around 400.00.
It was about a two hour job and can be done with a basic tool set.
If you are lucky, Chevy did not route the air bag sensor wire through you support bracket.
Everything comes out of the bottom of your car.
Disconnect your hoses up top then climb under the car and go to work.
I found the best online price and my local dealership matched it and I was able to pick it up next day.
Research your car. There are two different radiators for the Corvette.
One with oil cooler and one without. Without is under 200.00. With is right around 400.00.
It was about a two hour job and can be done with a basic tool set.
If you are lucky, Chevy did not route the air bag sensor wire through you support bracket.
Everything comes out of the bottom of your car.
Disconnect your hoses up top then climb under the car and go to work.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 4
Off topic. Looks like a fairly new KTM in the background. Looking to pick up a 300 XC-W this year. Good fun. Wish I would have known about the Ron Davis you have for sale, before I had bought the DeWitts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 18
From: Chicago Illinois
St. Jude Donor '12
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,434
Likes: 411
From: Texas
http://m.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Rel...-build,1253230