Drop in Dewitt radiator install pics......

[WydGlydJim]

The guy I sold my '90 to had a radiator leakage problem, so we went with a Dewitt direct replacement. Technically this is a drop in unit, and I did not need to modify anything....it was a tight fit though, and I found I had to persuade it a few times. Overall impression though is that this is a very nice option. We liked the all aluminum construction, as one of the plastic tanks failed at the plastic to aluminum tank seam on the old one, and it was only 2 years old. The construction and quality is impressive. I had to pry the fan shroud a little to get it to fit between the end tanks, other than that it fit well, and no modifications were required. I did have to undo the bottom bolts on the shroud, and then install the top bolts first, and install all bolts loose install, and then went back and tightened everything. Things did not want to align properly without doing it this way. I'm not sure if that is required with a stock unit. $325 represents a good value in my book, and this radiator has only recently become available.
:thumbsup::thumbsup:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3db09b3127ccef36cf6359d7500000030O02AaMm7ZuzcNA e3nwI/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00400837672420130528202032927.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3db09b3127ccef36ce9a15c4600000030O02AaMm7ZuzcNA e3nwI/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00400837672420130528202029004.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3db09b3127ccef36d4ba27c5800000030O02AaMm7ZuzcNA e3nwI/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00400837672420130528202037397.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3db09b3127ccef36c2e7a1c6600000030O32AaMm7ZuzcNA e3nwI/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00400837672420130528202040461.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D3/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[Schrade]

Pretty nifty handiwork there!

[Fully Vetted]

What is the other radiator that is available? Is it a Ron Davis? Any idea how it compares costwise and build quality?

[WydGlydJim]

There are several options out there.......most are north of $500 and most have thicker cores. The thicker core is a good thing, but requires trimming the fans shroud. This radiator is not a thicker core, but the tanks are said to provide more capacity, and the website says it provides 50% more cooling surface over stock, with no modifications.
:cool:
I really like the all aluminum construction over plastic end tanks.
=D>

[TCurtner]

The guy I sold my '90 to had a radiator leakage problem, so we went with a Dewitt direct replacement. Technically this is a drop in unit, and I did not need to modify anything....it was a tight fit though, and I found I had to persuade it a few times. Overall impression though is that this is a very nice option. We liked the all aluminum construction, as one of the plastic tanks failed at the plastic to aluminum tank seam on the old one, and it was only 2 years old. The construction and quality is impressive. I had to pry the fan shroud a little to get it to fit between the end tanks, other than that it fit well, and no modifications were required. I did have to undo the bottom bolts on the shroud, and then install the top bolts first, and install all bolts loose install, and then went back and tightened everything. Things did not want to align properly without doing it this way. I'm not sure if that is required with a stock unit. $325 represents a good value in my book, and this radiator has only recently become available.
:thumbsup::thumbsup:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3db09b3127ccef36cf6359d7500000030O02AaMm7ZuzcNA e3nwI/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00400837672420130528202032927.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/








Do you have links to the place you purchased? Would sure like to look into this option/price point. :handshak:

[1991ZR1]

I went with the Fluidyne. I don't remember what it cost but it was expensive. Looks good though. Once installed, you can't see it anyway.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g311/corvettez/th_FluidyneRadiator1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g311/corvettez/th_FluidyneRadiator2.jpg

If you get this radiator and you have Samco hoses, the top hose will be difficult but not impossible to install. I had to grease the inlet pipe with silicone and make a shoe horn out of a piece of a plastic bottle which I also greased to get the hose on. I'm not sure if residue from that silicone getting into the coolant is ok or if it will cause a problem later.

[WydGlydJim]

We ordered directly from Dewitts. Took a couple of weeks. This is a relative new product, and I don't think they keep very many on hand.....may even be made to order.

http://www.dewitts.com/collections/corvette-aluminum-radiators/products/1990-1996-aluminum-radiator