Drop in Dewitt radiator install pics...... - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

WydGlydJim · 05-28-2013

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.

Schrade · 05-29-2013

Pretty nifty handiwork there!

Fully Vetted · 05-29-2013

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

WydGlydJim · 05-29-2013

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.

I really like the all aluminum construction over plastic end tanks.

TCurtner · 06-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

1991ZR1 · 06-05-2013

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.

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 · 06-05-2013

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/c...minum-radiator

05-28-2013	#1
WydGlydJim Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 319	Drop in Dewitt radiator install pics...... 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. __________________ 2009 LS9 1990 LT-5/sold/Bought my Baby back 1994 Lingenfelter LT-5/sold 1973 LS4/sold

05-29-2013	#2
Schrade Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NC Posts: 1,786	Re: Drop in Dewitt radiator install pics...... Pretty nifty handiwork there! __________________ I'm getting my snappics / threads removed blindly as fast as I can, to get in compliance with copyright / license TOS on the boards here (lots of FSM pages and other copyright / license violations on my part; sorry guys). And thanks to all the guys who didn't whine when I posted those FSM copyrighted / licensed stuff in my threads... ( :thumbsup: [b]and to think I complied with a mod's request to delete a pic of him in a Challenge Car in NCM Museum, so he wouldn't get in hot water)[/b] Thanks to several guys here for sending parts FREE; BearlyFlying, WeGone, Geezer, GoldCylon, and more there, TonyD, mike100, fletchusmc... 1990 #2794; 4L60e Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless, Power Effects 3" [IMG]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GHpfzty7DVU/UQn-0Ru2xAI/AAAAAAAAA14/08mz1p4QLD4/s445/Screenshot-5.png[/IMG]

05-29-2013	#3
Fully Vetted Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Rockwall, Tx Posts: 1,510	Re: Drop in Dewitt radiator install pics...... What is the other radiator that is available? Is it a Ron Davis? Any idea how it compares costwise and build quality? __________________ _________________ 1994 AB/Grey #141 430 RWHP/392 RWTQ FBI Lyposuction / Secondaries relieved of duty / SW Long Tube Headers / Corsa Exhaust / FIC SS Injectors / MSD Coils / Lightweight Pulleys / Corey tuned B & M Shifter / Aluminum Flywheel / Samco Hoses / Shelby Series One's / C4 No Flex Frame Stiffener BBC - Bling By Carter: Custom ZR-1 Center Caps / Custom Plenum Plate / Air Box Knobs / TB Cover / Oil Filter Cover

05-29-2013	#4
WydGlydJim Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 319	Re: Drop in Dewitt radiator install pics...... 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. I really like the all aluminum construction over plastic end tanks. __________________ 2009 LS9 1990 LT-5/sold/Bought my Baby back 1994 Lingenfelter LT-5/sold 1973 LS4/sold

06-05-2013	#6
1991ZR1 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 90	Re: Drop in Dewitt radiator install pics...... 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. 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.