ZR-1 Net Registry Forums  

Go Back   ZR-1 Net Registry Forums > C4 ZR-1 > C4 ZR-1 Technical Postings

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-16-2015   #101
GOLDCYLON
 
GOLDCYLON's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 9,155
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Mild View Post
Would it be worth having a radiator shop to clean the radiator?

For as cheap as you can find an OEM replacement. I would say no. However that really depends on what they would charge.
__________________
GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014
GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's)

GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V


Arizona State Director




91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat

90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat

11 RED/GREY CTS-V
GOLDCYLON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #102
Billy Mild
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 838
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

So is it even worth cleaning the radiator fins at all or just replace it since you have it out?
__________________
Looking for a ZR-1
1985 Yamaha RZ350-NOT STOCK
1971 Yamaha AT1-Middle of a restoration
Billy Mild is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #103
5ABI VT
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 783
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

Quote:
Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON View Post
Yes im running a Ron Woods 160 T-Stat
Are these available anywhere or discontinued?

Im a little of dropping it on the pavement to get anything out as the plastic on the ends is joined somehow to the aluminum and I don't want to risk cracking any joints considering its been heat cycled throusands of times over 20 years. I will be pulling it out for sure and im fairly certain with 75k miles it wont be clean as new. I don't have any cooling isues besides the one hot day we had where I was parked with the a/c on I noticed the temp right at the warning zone. As soon as I turned the ac off it dropped and as I got on the road and to 40-50mph it dropped really fast. I am going to take a guess that based on what Ive seen one side of the rad will be jammed up very well most likely ahead of the primary fan. Ill be doing a spray soap clean and garden hose approach with no pressure and a soft bristle brush I purchased last night to try and get gunk out between the fins without bending anything. I shall report back !!
5ABI VT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #104
5ABI VT
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 783
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

Has anyone weighed a stock rad vs ron davis/fluidyne/dewitt ? If there is a weight savings I wont be cleaning the oem
5ABI VT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #105
RussMcB
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Marietta, GA USA
Posts: 1,160
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

My opinion only, maybe not the post you're hoping to hear...

I didn't weigh them when I swapped. but my opinion is the difference in weight is nothing any of us would ever notice. I mean, you could toss them both in the air pretty easily. A tiny fraction of the weight of the car.

However, I suppose it's possible a 4 core radiator might hold more coolant, and therefore might add a little weight, but again, negligible.

I was wishy-washy about changing mine, weighing the pros and cons, and eventually decided if people like Marc Haibeck recommends the Dewitt, might as well do it and (hopefully) solve all cooling issues and never worry about it again.

I will say, though, that even though the Dewitt is considered a "drop in", it still required some extra work to get it in. I'll elaborate if you want to hear.
RussMcB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #106
XfireZ51
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,708
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

U may find that the fins bend even using a soft bristle brush. It doesn't take much.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman
Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD
1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago
1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD
1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD
1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458
2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX
XfireZ51 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #107
GOLDCYLON
 
GOLDCYLON's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 9,155
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Mild View Post
So is it even worth cleaning the radiator fins at all or just replace it since you have it out?
Maybe but it is exceedingly difficult without bending the fins. I would not even attempt it unless money was a crush. After 25 years it's time for a new radiator
__________________
GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014
GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's)

GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V


Arizona State Director




91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat

90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat

11 RED/GREY CTS-V
GOLDCYLON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #108
GOLDCYLON
 
GOLDCYLON's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 9,155
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5ABI VT View Post
Are these available anywhere or discontinued?

Im a little of dropping it on the pavement to get anything out as the plastic on the ends is joined somehow to the aluminum and I don't want to risk cracking any joints considering its been heat cycled throusands of times over 20 years. I will be pulling it out for sure and im fairly certain with 75k miles it wont be clean as new. I don't have any cooling isues besides the one hot day we had where I was parked with the a/c on I noticed the temp right at the warning zone. As soon as I turned the ac off it dropped and as I got on the road and to 40-50mph it dropped really fast. I am going to take a guess that based on what Ive seen one side of the rad will be jammed up very well most likely ahead of the primary fan. Ill be doing a spray soap clean and garden hose approach with no pressure and a soft bristle brush I purchased last night to try and get gunk out between the fins without bending anything. I shall report back !!

No idea on the T-Stat. I said tap not drop. Your talking about A 20-25 yo radiator and you are correct the plastic ends tend to swell over the years. Just order a OEM replacement they are fairly cheap.
__________________
GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014
GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's)

GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V


Arizona State Director




91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat

90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat

11 RED/GREY CTS-V
GOLDCYLON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #109
QB93Z
 
QB93Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Westminster, Maryland
Posts: 3,689
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Mild View Post
So is it even worth cleaning the radiator fins at all or just replace it since you have it out?
That is always the question. I cleaned and reinstalled the radiator in my 140,000 mile Yellow ZR-1 just to see if the "slam cleaning" would work. And it did, after my cleaning, the cooling system worked properly and adequately for touring in a stock LT5, in Florida in the summer.

Jim
QB93Z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2015   #110
5ABI VT
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 783
Default Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators

Quote:
Originally Posted by RussMcB View Post
My opinion only, maybe not the post you're hoping to hear...

I didn't weigh them when I swapped. but my opinion is the difference in weight is nothing any of us would ever notice. I mean, you could toss them both in the air pretty easily. A tiny fraction of the weight of the car.

However, I suppose it's possible a 4 core radiator might hold more coolant, and therefore might add a little weight, but again, negligible.

I was wishy-washy about changing mine, weighing the pros and cons, and eventually decided if people like Marc Haibeck recommends the Dewitt, might as well do it and (hopefully) solve all cooling issues and never worry about it again.

I will say, though, that even though the Dewitt is considered a "drop in", it still required some extra work to get it in. I'll elaborate if you want to hear.
From what I've read there needs to be some trimming done to make it fit.. That's really not much of a concern for me. our dollar up here tanked even further over the last 6 months so that puts a $500 radiator at around 750-800 all said and done. 6 months ago I could have shipped it to buffalo fudged a receipt and paid near $500 all in by picking it up. In a nutshell I don't have an issue spending the money IF the replacement was much better, lighter etc but seems the oem rad can easily handle what I have in our temps .. Even at 75k miles and uncleaned. Which makes it hard to spend the money to gain.. More capacity in higher temps which we don't have up here.

I have ideas of running coolant under the car and putting a rad where the spare tire is and directing air to cool it from there ! Would take a good 20+ lbs of a rad and coolant at the nose end and put it over the rear wheels or close !
5ABI VT is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ZR-1 Net Registry 2020