SuprJames

Who would you guys suggest buying an aluminum radiator for an 82' from?

79VetteMike

Are you wanting one that is a "stock replacement" for about $500-$600, which will drop right in, or do you want a universal that will fit but will take some modifying to make work? If you can settle for the latter, Summit sells a universal that alot of people on here have used and it sells for about $180. There is a discount going right now, so you can get it for a few dollars cheaper, but you'd better hurry because it think the discount is almost expired.

427V8

I just found a place by me that sells 'RacePro' radiators. 1.2" tubes, direct fit for my '69 $3xx something. I haven't seen them yet but they sound good!

I'm going to look at them on monday probably (I'm workin 12 hour days till then) and if it isn't a total pile I'll buy one.

Can't find a website tho :cry

SuprJames

Oh jeeze. I don't know. I was thinking a direct replacement, but if they're that expensive I might have to go with a universal. I'll have to look at how it will fit though, because right now the outlet on the radiator is really close to the upper a-arm. It probably won't be as close when the new VBP ones are installed. they look like they'll be a bit shorter.

VETDRMS

I just got the Griffin circle track raditor 31x19 from Summit for $170 with discount. Fits great and looks :cool: :cool: :cool: !

Travis :cheers:

norvalwilhelm

I also used the universal fit and all I had to do was make a 2 piece lower rad hose. I managed to find a top hose that fit fine. For the bottom I made a elbow and used 2 pieces of the stock hose to make the connection. Saves alot of money for just fabricating a lower hose.

Vette-4-Life

I bought a speedway radiator (i believe it is a northern brand) for $170. I then took it to a welder and had a drain bung put in and the lower neck angled upwards, about $100. I went to murrays auto parts and was able to find a universal hose for the upper and a direct fit for the lower about $25 total. What i found was that the radiator shroud no longer fit and my cooling was no better. I have since bought the dual 11" spals for $249 + the flex-a-lite variable speed control module for $80. My total cost so far is $624, i haven't installed the spals yet since my car has been at the paint shop for the last 6 weeks so there will be more misc cost to add. You may want to weigh that against a direct fit for the $500-$600 or so previously mentioned.

SuprJames

I already have dual spals, so that's no biggy. My biggest worry is the upper neck right now on my stock radiator is SO close to my upper A-Arm. I'm using a cool-flex type radiator hose on the top. Just thought it looked cooler. Any other modifications I might have to worry about?

AlwaysWave

The DeWitts aluminum radiator is a nice direct fit. DeWitt is a forum vender.

Maurice

I just got my direct fit and dual Spal fan setup from DeWitts. I haven't heard anything bad about them and he has been very helpfull when I called. He can give you the low down on all the different companies out there and what the differences he offers if you are interested.

Roscoe

DeWitts aluminum radiator :thumbs:

SuprJames

What's the price on the Dewitts?

Tominator

Remember that the universal rad. don't have connections for automatic transmission.

By the way the link to DeWitts is http://www.dewitts.com/

0Tom@Dewitt

The everyday price is $495, and I think it's money well spent. We make six (6) totally difference C3 radiators, so each one is custom made for your application. A63, A66, A69, A70, A73, & A77 all have different core sizes and hose connections to replicate the factory installed radiator. The end tanks are formed in dies, not fabricated from sheet metal. The tanks include ribs for added strength and we have the factory type upper and lower channels, which even have the square cut outs. We will be at Corvettes @ carlisle offering discounted pricing. Our A77A (77-82) is shown below

Eddie 70

I have a direct fit from DeWitts and couldn't be happier. I haven't been over 200 degrees even when I ran it on the dyno.

TexasShark

What would you folks suggest first to address cooling (i.e. -which provides the biggest benefit) electric fan(s) or aluminum radiator.
Thanks :cheers:

68shark

My car cools "ok" but with a copper rad. It's getting old though and when replacement time comes, I'm going with the Dewitt's rad. A bit pricey but it's a critical component and in my mind, quality and performance are far more important than price. My view on electric fans is that the car will cool fine with the proper stock components, so I'd stay with the quality aluminum rad and fan clutch, this presuming your car is mostly stock, in terms of its cooling requirements. Just my .02 :cheers:

TexasShark

Thanks for taking the tie to reply. :thumbs: That's pretty much what I've been hearing from others.