Need to choose a new radiator - Page 2 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

tomtom72 · 10-30-2008

I was thinking the same thing when I took out the rad on my 90 to clean it. Surprisingly it was in good shape as the original owner kept up with the maintenance on the cooling system and didn't use the car much. I was doing a samco hose kit and my oil cooler hose r&r project and decided it would be a good time to clean the cooling stack also.

Not to make work for you but here is a link that I found to be a very useful alteration/addition if you use your Z alot.
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_radiatorscreen.htm

I average about 5K a yr and every week I get to see what junk would have gotten into my cooling stack.

Oh yea, thanks for the mention of Fluidyne....I completely forgot them in my thinking about where I will get my replacement radiator when the time comes.

Tom

GOLDCYLON · 10-30-2008

Hmm im wondering if its the underside of the crossover tube or more likely the thermostat housing extension that is approx in the center next to the radiator is the culprit or the hose that connects to the TH housing on the underside.Further back in the center its gotta be the waterpump. I would get her up to temperature while on a jack stack and then look underneath.

Aurora40 · 10-30-2008

FWIW, the DeWitts is on sale until 10/31. They also claim you no longer have to trim the fan shroud to use the rad.

GOLDCYLON · 11-02-2008

Any updates on the Radiator project?

1991ZR1 · 11-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

Any updates on the Radiator project?

No change yet. I just got back home from the SEMA show so I'm really tired. Also somewhat poorer. Maybe next weekend I'll put the car on jack stands and run it to try to see where the water is coming from.

QB93Z · 11-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

The radiators are exactly the same. As stated above the Automatic transmission lines are just not used and a standard radiator can be had as stated for $150 shipped to the door. The new OEM style radiator will work fine.

I bought a "OEM" radiator on eBay that was supposed to work in the ZR-1. It is a Delphi product, Part # RA1138.

The radiator is the 1990-1996 style but all the ones in the system have the auto transmission cooler connections on the right end tank. The idea is that you don't have to hook up the auto trans cooler lines to install the radiator in a manual trans car.

BUT:

The problem is that the auto trans cooler in the right end tank blocks the opening where the radiator outlet hose connects. Here is a picture of the outlet:

The tan colored piece you see in the opening is part of the transmission cooler. There is less that 3/8" clearance between the opening edge and the tan piece.

I decided not to use the Delphi radiator because I think that the flow rate will be compromised by the restriction.

I could not find any of the OEM radiators that were for a ZR-1 (manual trans C4) so I bought a DeWitts radiator. It is a thing of beauty:

As soon as I get my Samco hoses I will be putting it in.

Jim

Jagdpanzer · 11-11-2008

Jim,
Which Z is getting the new radiator?

QB93Z · 11-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagdpanzer

Jim,
Which Z is getting the new radiator?

The Red '90. It is leaking from the right end tank. It started leaking after the first time I did a nice hard acceleration.

Hey Phil, are you coming to Mason Dixon Dragway this Saturday?

Jim

Jagdpanzer · 11-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by QB93Z

Hey Phil, are you coming to Mason Dixon Dragway this Saturday?

Jim

Jim,
You bet!
Already have the new set of MT DRs on the back plus the skinny A-molds I got from Pete last summer shod with 5.3" wide Hoosier Pro Street radials on the front.
This weekend I pulled the plenum and put a new set of Accel injectors in. While at it also removed the coil plate and starter to titivate (that's sailor talk for make smart or spruce up for you lubbers out there) the valley. Checked out the secondary vacuum system out to make sure it was tight and working properly and changed out the inline fuel filter. Still have to put in a new set of NGK TR55IX Iridium sparklers then this Torch Red ZR-1 from Virginia will be ready to wage 1320 warfare with you boys from MD at Mason Dixon Dragway this Saturday.
This will be my first outing to the strip with the Z so I'm not sure what it'll do, probably low thirteen's or high twelve's at around 110 mph is my guess. Let pray the weather holds. If lot of Zs show up maybe we can declare this event the inaugural North verses South ZR-1 Mason-Dixon Line showdown.

GOLDCYLON · 11-12-2008

Jim when you put those Samcos on remember you have to seperate the top off the TH housing to get the lower short hose on then reinstall the top of the TH housing. Wont work any other way.

You are correct you wont find a MT radiator in the inventory anywhere. And... the Delphi is GMs one size fits most solution. So far its been working great for me. Did you have to cut the shroud with the Dewitts?
GC

10-30-2008	#11
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,609	Re: Need to choose a new radiator I was thinking the same thing when I took out the rad on my 90 to clean it. Surprisingly it was in good shape as the original owner kept up with the maintenance on the cooling system and didn't use the car much. I was doing a samco hose kit and my oil cooler hose r&r project and decided it would be a good time to clean the cooling stack also. Not to make work for you but here is a link that I found to be a very useful alteration/addition if you use your Z alot. http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_radiatorscreen.htm I average about 5K a yr and every week I get to see what junk would have gotten into my cooling stack. Oh yea, thanks for the mention of Fluidyne....I completely forgot them in my thinking about where I will get my replacement radiator when the time comes. Tom __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

10-30-2008	#12
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,120	Re: Need to choose a new radiator Hmm im wondering if its the underside of the crossover tube or more likely the thermostat housing extension that is approx in the center next to the radiator is the culprit or the hose that connects to the TH housing on the underside.Further back in the center its gotta be the waterpump. I would get her up to temperature while on a jack stack and then look underneath. __________________ 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

10-30-2008	#13
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,704	Re: Need to choose a new radiator FWIW, the DeWitts is on sale until 10/31. They also claim you no longer have to trim the fan shroud to use the rad.

11-02-2008	#14
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,120	Re: Need to choose a new radiator Any updates on the Radiator project? __________________ 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

11-11-2008	#17
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,651	Re: Need to choose a new radiator Jim, Which Z is getting the new radiator?

11-12-2008	#20
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,120	Re: Need to choose a new radiator Jim when you put those Samcos on remember you have to seperate the top off the TH housing to get the lower short hose on then reinstall the top of the TH housing. Wont work any other way. You are correct you wont find a MT radiator in the inventory anywhere. And... the Delphi is GMs one size fits most solution. So far its been working great for me. Did you have to cut the shroud with the Dewitts? GC __________________ 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 Last edited by GOLDCYLON; 11-12-2008 at 08:03 AM.