Stock or Dewitts Radiator
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 61
From: Nantucket MA
Stock or Dewitts Radiator
Well I went to take my car for a spin today and noticed that it was dripping coolent from the front right. After a bit of looking I found that it was actually leaking where the fins meets the plastic coolent tank on the passenger side.
My question is this....do I replace it with a stock one, or should I upgrade while its out?
I have never had a cooling issue and live in the North East so it doesn't get crazy hot around here. I do run a procharger with 8-9 psi making about 600-640 depending on the dyno. Coolent temp is generally 192-198.
My only worry is that if I step up to a dewitts I'll run into a host of clearence issues due to its extra thinkness. Mostly where the fans mount. I think it will push them to close to the motor/blower.
Here's the one I'd use... http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=380
What say you Corvetteforum?
My question is this....do I replace it with a stock one, or should I upgrade while its out?
I have never had a cooling issue and live in the North East so it doesn't get crazy hot around here. I do run a procharger with 8-9 psi making about 600-640 depending on the dyno. Coolent temp is generally 192-198.
My only worry is that if I step up to a dewitts I'll run into a host of clearence issues due to its extra thinkness. Mostly where the fans mount. I think it will push them to close to the motor/blower.
Here's the one I'd use... http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=380
What say you Corvetteforum?
Last edited by trayack; Oct 2, 2010 at 06:20 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 0
From: Willow Springs IL
I have a Dewitts in my A&A supercharged car and really like it. I am still running the stock thermostat so I see the same temperatures as with the stock radiator. The plus side is that the fans don't run nearly as much as with the stock radiator. It's a nice upgrade if you ask me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Since it's an exact bolt in replacement I don't believe you'd have any problems. Gotta have some here with Z06 sways and Dewitt? I'm running E-Force and the Dewitt completely stabilized my temp issues. Never see more than 190 regardless of ambient temp even while idling.
I can always measure the clearance between my Z51 sways and Dewitt rad if no one has the same setup as you do. Again I'll bet there aren't any clearance issues...
I can always measure the clearance between my Z51 sways and Dewitt rad if no one has the same setup as you do. Again I'll bet there aren't any clearance issues...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
The Dewitts is a "direct fit". The extra cooling comes from the thicker core. If you look at your stock radiator closely you'll see only about half of the end tank's thickness is populated with cooling fins. Dewitts populates the entire depth of the radiator. You won't have a clearance issue. If you have a stock C6 you have but ONE fan.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 61
From: Nantucket MA
Sorry about the fan(s) terminology. I used to run the twin Spal's on my mustang so I'm used to plural...
I was just thinking that the fans sat against the core, and with the thicker core it would push them back a bit.
Just as a heads up, I'm very automotive savy and basically have a completely working garage including lift. I'm just new to the vette game
I was just thinking that the fans sat against the core, and with the thicker core it would push them back a bit.
Just as a heads up, I'm very automotive savy and basically have a completely working garage including lift. I'm just new to the vette game
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
Sorry about the fan(s) terminology. I used to run the twin Spal's on my mustang so I'm used to plural...
I was just thinking that the fans sat against the core, and with the thicker core it would push them back a bit.
Just as a heads up, I'm very automotive savy and basically have a completely working garage including lift. I'm just new to the vette game
I was just thinking that the fans sat against the core, and with the thicker core it would push them back a bit.
Just as a heads up, I'm very automotive savy and basically have a completely working garage including lift. I'm just new to the vette game
"CORVETTE DIRECT FIT RADIATORS
The term Direct Fit® gets thrown around a lot today. Many companies offer replacement radiators and most of them require some alterations, even when they claim they fit.
Our Direct Fit® radiators are designed to install into the stock mounting and use the factory connections without any modifications or adapters. That's why the U.S. Patent and Trademarks office has granted DIRECT FIT® as our offical trademark.
Each DIRECT FIT® radiator starts with a USA made core, furnace brazed in a force nitrogen furnace. Our cores feature two rows cooling tubes, serpentine fin and they are epoxy free. Press formed end tanks are manually tig welded by expert craftsmen, providing the ultimate in stregth and apperance. Many companies build Corvette radiators, only one specializes in it."
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
The Dewitt's for my LS2 doubles the radiator capacity over the stock radiator, and is an all aluminum unit which eliminates the interface between the core and the plastic tanks on the stock radiators.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
I can only offer the following: I have 3 Dewitt's radiators in my vettes, including the upgrade for my 07 which keeps my E-Force supercharged LS2 coolant temps perfect. I swear by their quality, fit and finish.
The Dewitt's for my LS2 doubles the radiator capacity over the stock radiator, and is an all aluminum unit which eliminates the interface between the core and the plastic tanks on the stock radiators.
The Dewitt's for my LS2 doubles the radiator capacity over the stock radiator, and is an all aluminum unit which eliminates the interface between the core and the plastic tanks on the stock radiators.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
It costs about the same as a stock radiator and cools MUCH better. Also, it is a true direct fit; it dropped right in on my car... I'd recommend it; dropped my coolant and oil temps by a good 20-30F.
BTW it is "CoolAnt".
BTW it is "CoolAnt".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 790
Likes: 63
From: Ft Worth TX
Just ordered one
Been on the fence but just ordered one. My E-Force came last week. It's sitting in the garage and will be for a few weeks until my work schedule lets up.
Texas summers include a lot of 100+ degree days. Anything I can do to keep engine temps in check will be worth the price.
I also love to buy a quality product from a US manufacturer when I can.
Texas summers include a lot of 100+ degree days. Anything I can do to keep engine temps in check will be worth the price.
I also love to buy a quality product from a US manufacturer when I can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Been on the fence but just ordered one. My E-Force came last week. It's sitting in the garage and will be for a few weeks until my work schedule lets up.
Texas summers include a lot of 100+ degree days. Anything I can do to keep engine temps in check will be worth the price.
I also love to buy a quality product from a US manufacturer when I can.
Texas summers include a lot of 100+ degree days. Anything I can do to keep engine temps in check will be worth the price.
I also love to buy a quality product from a US manufacturer when I can.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 3
From: halton region Ontario
20 to 30 degrees reduction..wow.
Cooler temps mean more power as well and a cooler cockpit. Change up that stock C6 single fan to a double and it may be one of those no brainers that some chargedcars require to be more streetable, especially in the heat of the summer.
Let`s do a group buy .... I`m in.
Cooler temps mean more power as well and a cooler cockpit. Change up that stock C6 single fan to a double and it may be one of those no brainers that some chargedcars require to be more streetable, especially in the heat of the summer.
Let`s do a group buy .... I`m in.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
TPE are you listening?.... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...itts-sale.html
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
One other note...I haven't heard this thing run but at full tilt I bet a beer that it is screaming! If you are moving air you are making noise. But if you need that much airflow you probably own a car that you can't hear yourself think in anyhow. Another concern I'd have is the power draw on your charging system is probably large.
With all of that said....Dewitts makes good stuff!
If there is someone on the forum running one of these Dual Fan Dewitts setups it would be nice to get their spin on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
Had a Ron Davis but sold it because I did not know I was going to get blown.
Bought the Dewitts and it 2 is a nice piece and a lesser price tag then the RD.
It performs well under extreme conditions IMHO.
Bought the Dewitts and it 2 is a nice piece and a lesser price tag then the RD.
It performs well under extreme conditions IMHO.