To Replace the Rad or Not Replace The Rad?

[Pqtaces]

I was told I need to have my radiator removed and cleaned (My car runs hot in any driving other than constant frwy speeds of over 60 mph). I was looking at replacing the radiator with a new high capacity one as my mechanic told me it is a good idea and would make the car run about 20 degrees cooler (its Guldstrands, so they know what they are talking about).

In a previous post someone said it was a waste of money to replace it unless you are racing (which I am not). My 1991 Z has 95k on it and my biggest reason for replacing it is to hopefully extend the life of the engine. Since I have to have the rad out for cleaning anyway the labor of the replacement is a non issue. My question is whether everyone thinks the $500 or so for the new rad is worth it or is it truly a waste and I am better off putting the $ toward a fun mod? :icon_scra

Thanks,
Peter

[A26B]

Peter,
It's not a waste to buy & install the $500.00 radiator, but neither is it necessary. I believe the best move at this point for you would be to buy a new, OEM radiator from Doug Asay at Corvette Recyclers. Best price around and a great ZR-1 friend. Spend the remaining bucks on other fun mods.

[jonszr1]

i agree with jerry . 9i have a aftermarket alluminum rad in the 92 callaway car and it doesnt seem to help the cooling over my 90 with a stk rad. the alluminum rad is much thicker which can make it alot harder to get airflow through it at low speed . if it were me id buy the stk rad and maybe a new water pump just to make sure everything is up to snuff . jerry gaskets has the water pumps for sale at a decent price

[PhillipsLT5]

I went with fluidyne, pricey, Hibs suggestion, seems to run cooler & when it does get a little hot comes down faster, never gets to 3/4 guage, even in Phx. Az, 91, so I dont know number unless I use Jeffs idea of hitting correct buttons, also Dewitts or Ron Davis but need to do a little modifying with those 2

[Paul Workman]

Aside from cleaning the bugs out of the mesh, the best thing for my heating (besides turning on the A/C to light off the second fan) was Marc H's chip. Among other things, turns both fans on at (I forget exactly) around 210 and shuts them both off at 205(?)). Since then my gauge never wanders above mid scale in normal stop n go or highway driving.

As for the miracle additives for your coolant, you'll find them right next to the "Tornadoes" for your throttle body there at Wallyworld.:rolleyes:

P.

[GOLDCYLON]

I replaced mine with a standard GM replacement $100 radiator and work great even here in Arizona. The key is to keep the radiator shorud area as clear from paper , leaves and othe crap as possible which is why most of us run a debries screen to keep our bottom air feeding C4 clear of debries. Wont stop the sand and silt however that gets into the fins.

[tomtom72]

Yea, the debris screen over at the NetReg site is the ticket to stop most of the junk.

I was pondering a way to stop the sand, and I can't take credit for this idea as I saw it at the 24 hrs LeMans race. One of the LMP1 teams had filters made up to fit in the rad ducts in a slot they molded into the body work. On a stop they'd just pull out the old screens, full of crap, and slide in new screens.

I was thinking, hummmmm, I like that idea. Why couldn't I cut up some A/C filter element & do basically the same thing? I know it would work, I just can't seem to make it a "pull out, push in" type of operation. :o

:cheers:
Tom