LT5 Cooling and Radiators - Page 9 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

5ABI VT · 07-10-2015

Sooo.. which rad do you guys recommend? Im debating on pulling mine for cleaning and a lower temp tstat but an upgrade is in my thoughts.

RussMcB · 07-10-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5ABI VT

Sooo.. which rad do you guys recommend? Im debating on pulling mine for cleaning and a lower temp tstat but an upgrade is in my thoughts.

I'm in the same situation (after very high temps while doing laps at race tracks) and after two discussions with Marc I've decided to clean my current rad first to see if that helps (and try to keep the RPMs down next time at the track). If I still think I need a better rad, and I have plenty of $$$ in the checking account, I'll go with a Dewitts. I do think there are several other very good choices, too, like Ron Davis. If saving money is important, Ron Davis offers a generic Chevy NASCAR model that will work with some mods.

Those are my conclusions after discussions and searching. No real world experience.

GOLDCYLON · 07-10-2015

I suggest Dewitt's and add the SPAL fans. Install is easy and you will gain a little more clearance as the back of the radiator shroud is removed and the SPALs mate to the back side of the front Rad shroud

dredgeguy · 07-11-2015

After seeing the debris in my stock 92, cleaning was out. Would have to send it out and then you still have a 23 year old radiator with plastic sections. Looked at options and costs and went with a DeWitts, a new 180 degree Stant and new hoses from Jerry's.

lbszr · 07-11-2015

My stock radiator would climb at the racetrack, caught it at 250 or so and had to short shift on a 85 degree day.

Today in bowling green track, 30 minute sessions, 95 degrees, it stops at 212, but I did see 216 max. DeWitt, also a big mouth. Had the big mouth on the stock rad, but wasn't enough. I also have manual switch to turn the fans on, I leave it on all the time during track use and it makes a difference.

Oil temp stays steady at 250. Hair below the caution bars.

I think the radiators all mentioned are plenty good.

5ABI VT · 07-19-2015

Just curious if there are any write ups for the install ? In debating on pulling the rad out and cleaning it out before a runway event I signed up for in a few weeks

-=Jeff=- · 07-19-2015

There is a write up on corvette forum that should cover most of the job

RussMcB · 07-19-2015

I'm in the middle, early stages of an R&R. I've removed the stock radiator. It was a bit more difficult than expected. There are three 7mm screws on each side connecting the upper shroud to lower - very hard to access. When I put it back together I'll reverse them and install from the inside for easier access (I read that suggestion in other discussions).

Not surprisingly, there was a lot of dirt and junk in there. I could probably clean and reinstall the stock radiator, but I'd rather not do this job again, so I'm ordering a Dewitts.

As with most of these projects, it's growing. I ordered a set of hoses and a t-stat from Jerry's Gaskets, a "Big Mouth" air dam*, and I'll be adding a screen to help keep out leaves and junk.

To answer your question, I do think you could do the job in a day or weekend (or two nights). If it has never been out and cleaned, I'd think it will be very worthwhile before your track event.

* http://www.c4orcecorvette.com/

5ABI VT · 07-19-2015

Just saw the write up and its a good one

. My concern is the oil cooler. Does that have any effect on the re/re procedure? More than likely Ill be doing an upgraded rad in the near future but Im sure this one will be full of crud. 21 years old and possibly never out. A few weeks ago with the ac on and parked I noticed the temps did seem to rise quite a bit. I never sit in traffic but when moving they came down pretty fast.

RussMcB · 07-19-2015

The oil cooler stays in place (but you will need to disconnect the lines - just one bolt).

With the radiator out you can blow out the oil cooler's and A/C fins.

It's encouraging that your temps come down pretty fast when the car is moving.

When you go to the race, keep in mind that the coolant in the water pump begins to cavitate at high RPMs, so you can short shift to avoid that if needed.

07-10-2015	#81
5ABI VT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 783	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators Sooo.. which rad do you guys recommend? Im debating on pulling mine for cleaning and a lower temp tstat but an upgrade is in my thoughts.

07-10-2015	#83
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,153	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators I suggest Dewitt's and add the SPAL fans. Install is easy and you will gain a little more clearance as the back of the radiator shroud is removed and the SPALs mate to the back side of the front Rad shroud __________________ 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

07-11-2015	#84
dredgeguy Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 1,679	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators After seeing the debris in my stock 92, cleaning was out. Would have to send it out and then you still have a 23 year old radiator with plastic sections. Looked at options and costs and went with a DeWitts, a new 180 degree Stant and new hoses from Jerry's. __________________ Charlie __________ Dredgeguy WAZOO Member 1992 Bright Red/Black ZR1 #246 Dana 4:10 gears Polished LT5 by Haibeck Polished Fikse FM5's with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Stainless Works headers and cats with Corsa

07-11-2015	#85
lbszr Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: dayton,ohio Posts: 425	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators My stock radiator would climb at the racetrack, caught it at 250 or so and had to short shift on a 85 degree day. Today in bowling green track, 30 minute sessions, 95 degrees, it stops at 212, but I did see 216 max. DeWitt, also a big mouth. Had the big mouth on the stock rad, but wasn't enough. I also have manual switch to turn the fans on, I leave it on all the time during track use and it makes a difference. Oil temp stays steady at 250. Hair below the caution bars. I think the radiators all mentioned are plenty good. __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=red]"I wanna go fast!!"[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=#ff0000]-- Ricky Bobby[/COLOR][/FONT]

07-19-2015	#86
5ABI VT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 783	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators Just curious if there are any write ups for the install ? In debating on pulling the rad out and cleaning it out before a runway event I signed up for in a few weeks

07-19-2015	#87
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,152	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators There is a write up on corvette forum that should cover most of the job __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - Flowmaster Cats - Borla Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978

07-19-2015	#88
RussMcB Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Marietta, GA USA Posts: 1,160	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators I'm in the middle, early stages of an R&R. I've removed the stock radiator. It was a bit more difficult than expected. There are three 7mm screws on each side connecting the upper shroud to lower - very hard to access. When I put it back together I'll reverse them and install from the inside for easier access (I read that suggestion in other discussions). Not surprisingly, there was a lot of dirt and junk in there. I could probably clean and reinstall the stock radiator, but I'd rather not do this job again, so I'm ordering a Dewitts. As with most of these projects, it's growing. I ordered a set of hoses and a t-stat from Jerry's Gaskets, a "Big Mouth" air dam, and I'll be adding a screen to help keep out leaves and junk. To answer your question, I do think you could do the job in a day or weekend (or two nights). If it has never been out and cleaned, I'd think it will be very worthwhile before your track event. http://www.c4orcecorvette.com/ __________________ Russ McBride, [COLOR="Red"]Car Sold 8/2020[/COLOR] #1635, Marietta, GA USA, 1991 ZR-1, #766 (bought 1/1/2015) MS3-Pro, OBX, SW X-Pipe, Borla, Hurst, SLP, Goodyear F1 GS-D3, Kenwood. HOTB 2016Q3 [IMG]http://zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=316&pictureid=2873[/IMG] [IMG]http://zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=336&pictureid=2985[/IMG] Last edited by RussMcB; 07-19-2015 at 07:49 PM.

07-19-2015	#90
RussMcB Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Marietta, GA USA Posts: 1,160	Re: LT5 Cooling and Radiators The oil cooler stays in place (but you will need to disconnect the lines - just one bolt). With the radiator out you can blow out the oil cooler's and A/C fins. It's encouraging that your temps come down pretty fast when the car is moving. When you go to the race, keep in mind that the coolant in the water pump begins to cavitate at high RPMs, so you can short shift to avoid that if needed.