Radiator options

[Karl]

Mine is leaking and I want to know is the factory unit a one or two row/core unit?

After reading Dominicks summary of the Fluidyne unit I do not see any advantages over the stock unit.

[tomtom72]

The OEM & replacement radiators from chevy ( if they still have them? ) are a single core or just one row of tubes. They are not all that small, but them I'm sure the aftermarket units are double row units.


Tom

[5ABI VT]

The little that I know I believe oem use brass or copper which is much better than aluminum. I think that is the main reason for requiring 2 Rows which is to match the efficiency. The added cooling comes from the additional capacity. That's as much as I rebember when I researched into it but I'm going to be looking for a radiator soon myself because I'd like to move to an electric water pump as well.

[tomtom72]

Actually the OEM and OE replacement stuff is aluminum. I don't know that even the aftermarket stuff uses any thing but aluminum.

The only rub with the ACDelco replacement units is that they are universal with respect to transmission. They all have the cooler in the right tank for the auto equipped C4's.

The aluminum is not an issue as long as you keep up with coolant maintenance, keep the grounds clean, and have no gasket leaks.


Tom

[Scrrem]

My only issue with aluminum radiators like Ron Davis, is that they don't have a drain petcock. It makes draining a real mess.
Rich

[Hib Halverson]

Thought I'd "weigh-in" on the radiator issue because, back in the late 90s, I did a lot of cooling performance development on ZR1s–including doing most of the product development for Fluidyne on its late C4 radiator.

First, the above comment about aftermarket radiators generally not having drains. Pure bunk. The Ron Davis might not have one, but most others such as DeWittt and Griffin and, also, the Fluidyne have them.

The stock radiator is not copper-brass. It's an aluminum core with plastic tanks. The radiator is one places GM "cheaped-out" on the ZR1. The car should have received a specific radiator of all-aluminum construction. That would have allowed GM to have a slightly larger radiator for the LT5's extra power output and it would have allowed GM to reduce the amount of coolant bypassed around the radiator during high rpm operation.

Lastly, the OP's comment about "Dominick" stating that the Fluidyne (or any other aftermarket radiator for that matter) being no better at cooling than the OE radiator is not based on any facts.

Reality is that combined with a 180° or 170° thermostat and lower fan-on temps, the Fluidyne and other aftermarket C4 radiators are guide good at improving cooling performance.

[XfireZ51]

My comments regarding the performance of the Fluidyne dealt w the fact it was actually too good at cooling the motor. During a recent drive in 35F weather, the coolant temp had much difficulty getting above the temp for allowing Closed Loop operation. It worked fine in summer and fall temps. My OE radiator needed to be cleaned and I decided to swap in the Fluidyne for extra cooling w A/C. My wife won't get in the car during the summer unless I run the A/C.
I'm using stock thermo.

[PhillipsLT5]

Originally Posted by Hib Halverson

Thought I'd "weigh-in" on the radiator issue because, back in the late 90s, I did a lot of cooling performance development on ZR1s–including doing most of the product development for Fluidyne on its late C4 radiator.

First, the above comment about aftermarket radiators generally not having drains. Pure bunk. The Ron Davis might not have one, but most others such as DeWittt and Griffin and, also, the Fluidyne have them.

The stock radiator is not copper-brass. It's an aluminum core with plastic tanks. The radiator is one places GM "cheaped-out" on the ZR1. The car should have received a specific radiator of all-aluminum construction. That would have allowed GM to have a slightly larger radiator for the LT5's extra power output and it would have allowed GM to reduce the amount of coolant bypassed around the radiator during high rpm operation.

Lastly, the OP's comment about "Dominick" stating that the Fluidyne (or any other aftermarket radiator for that matter) being no better at cooling than the OE radiator is not based on any facts.

Reality is that combined with a 180° or 170° thermostat and lower fan-on temps, the Fluidyne and other aftermarket C4 radiators are guide good at improving cooling performance.

My fluidyne has a drain, I bought this years ago based on Hib's suggestion & very pleased even in HOT AZ

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by Scrrem

My only issue with aluminum radiators like Ron Davis, is that they don't have a drain petcock. It makes draining a real mess.
Rich

My Ron Davis radiator has a threaded drain port near bottom right hand (passenger) side

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

My Ron Davis radiator has a threaded drain port near lower right hand (passenger) side

Mine does too but would like a petcock, I can't use a brass petcock....that's a receipe for disaster with corrosion, the metals are not compatable. I have been looking to find a plastic one, but haven't been sucessful yet.
Rich