Tom, thanks for clarifying.

 

I sure hope this is the fix we all have been looking for. I too am looking forward to tracking results. I will be watching.

 

Tom
Am also interested if the radiators are the same for the M7 and A8? thanks in advance
Kim

 

 

What's a "custom micro ported heat exchanger"? Is that the same as a flux capacitor? I've only got two post-graduate degrees, none of which are in thermal conductivity. Why do you think GM is reluctant to acknowledge the need for a larger radiator, or similar modification? Are the incremental dollars / unit for the upgrade that significant? Is GM concerned about some perceived diminution in their engineering capabilities if something as straightforward as as larger radiator is prescribed as a fix for ZO6 track temperatures? Is GM really more concerned about fewer track-related warranty claims, and discouraging owners interested in tracking ZO6?

 

Compared to the factory radiator, how much more capacity does the DeWitt radiator have?

 

Here is more information on them. Now before you call this the savior to the C7 Corvette, these heat exchangers cost over $10,000.

http://mezzotech.com/WhyMicrotubes.aspx

 

While those are very interesting, but unattainable based on price, a penny for your thoughts on Denso cores as used in NASCAR? What makes them special, and how much more efficient are they in terms of cooling versus conventional cores for the same face area? And do they cost that much more than conventional cores?

 

I don't see any advantage in going with a 48mm single row core over our two row 57mm core.

 

Hi Tom, do you have a heat exchanger available for the C7?

 

Looks like Weapon X has them at there store!

http://weaponx-c7.myshopify.com/prod...ition-radiator

 

I installed a DeWitt radiator this weekend in my Z06 A8 and I am going to the MSR track in Cresson, Texas this weekend to test it out. It is supposed to hit 100F Sunday. I ran the same track in the same direction first week in June (overheated every session) and I saved the data so It will be interesting to see how much different the engine temps are.

 

Serious question, as I am not afraid to ask since I tend to be a newb when it comes to these things. When you get the Dewitts radiator, do you need to retune the car? If not, then technically speaking, your warranty should still be in tact, correct? I am concerned that 'if' the engine took a dump, warranty would be voided even if the only aftermarket part was a radiator, correct? You would think GM would still honor a warranty for fixing an issue that needed addressing in the first place. Correct me if I am wrong, thanks guys.

 

Please keep us updated, and drive it like it was stolen, so we can get some real user numbers on this heating issue. Thanks

 

There are lots of modifications you can make to a car that will invalidate the warranty that have nothing to do with the engine tune.

 

I was under the impression that the only way to void warranty is to prove that the root cause of the mechanical issue was caused by the aftermarket part? So, I guess what I'm asking is, could the aftermarket radiator void your warranty if the radiator had nothing to do with the car having problems, since technically the radiator is an improvement over the stock one and will solve part of the heating issue?

"There is a Federal Act--Magnuson Moss I believe--which governs this issue. It says, in essence, that if the mod caused the problem with the car, then the Dealer/Manufacturer has the right, but not the obligation, to void that part of the Warranty." -Mako7

 

The oft cited MM act was mostly focused upon preventing the automotive manufacturers from forcing consumers to buy maintenance and repair parts only through their captive service parts division. The practical issue for those who mod and suffer a failure is proving that their action wasn't the cause of the issue and that can easily turn into a highly expensive and time consuming exercise which generally means the customer loses.

However I personally wouldn't be too concerned about upgrading to a DeWitts radiator. It is a well designed product that comes from an established supplier and it isn't intended to produce more power or do anything that would create a strain on other systems in the vehicle so the odds that a service tech would raise a red flag are very small. As long as it is properly installed there should be no or minimal issues with warranty service however any change has the potential for creating a red flag. Say for example your air conditioning system is not cooling properly. A dealer tech unfamiliar with the radiator may immediately jump to the wrong conclusion and state the problem is from reduced air flow through the cooling stack due to an aftermarket radiator and refuse to go further.

Make sure to carefully remove the factory radiator so that it can be reinstalled if the overheating problems continue because once the cooling system has a major change the dealer (and GM corporate) have an easy out to blame an aftermarket part and walk away from your problem. Be sure that all hoses are properly seated and that air is purged from the system since any damage resulting from this can and will be blamed on the part and/or installation procedure.

If I were tracking a Z06 I wouldn't hesitate to install this upgrade. As a risk management type my personal view is the potential benefits greatly exceed the potential risk. An additional oil cooler may be needed to fully address the problem and this gets more into a gray area where engine issues or damage may be more easily (albeit incorrectly) attributed to changes in oil flow or undesired slow oil warmup. I would drag my feet on this change until the engine has a few thousand miles on it to allow for any infant mortality issues to surface and hopefully soon there will be either a running production change or a specific solution through the performance parts division that provides an officially sanctioned cooler and location.

 

NSC5, thanks for the very long and detailed response. You made some very good points and answered my question completely.

 

The manager of the service dept at Mac Haik Chev in Houston said that an aftermarket radiator would not void the warranty provided that what ever future engine problem occurred was not attributable to radiator failure or improper installation and that the function of the radiator was compatible with the OEM unit.

 

Now we just need the info with the Dewitt from Cresson this weekend