Most people aren’t too familiar with the intricacies involved in the manufacturing process of radiators. If you’re unaware of the materials involved to make a high-quality radiator, chances are that you will choose something low-grade without even realizing it. Moreover, unless you know the specific materials used to manufacture the radiator, you may even inadvertently choose the wrong type for your Chevy, which could lead to more problems than the deficient radiator, to begin with. After looking into the manufacturing process, you will discover that not all Chevy radiators are created equally.
Primary Role and Efficiency Level
You’re probably already aware of the critical role that the radiator plays in the cooling system for your vehicle. However, are you aware that most of the high-performance vehicles that you see nowadays were originally equipped with radiators that are marginally capable of maintaining the coolant temperature, for reducing engine overheating? If you choose to convert the engine with an increase in horsepower, it’s essential that you replace the radiator to support that level of engine output. The primary role of the radiator is to act as a heat exchanger, by removing the heat that is circulated through the coolant and distributing it into the ambient air. Therefore, it’s vital to choose a radiator that is durable enough to withstand the increase in temperature, resulting from the increased horsepower.
The level of efficiency for completing this role depends on five essential elements:
- Volume of Air Flow
- Consistency of Coolant Flow
- Size of the Radiator Core
- Type of Design
- Quality of Manufacturing Materials
Essential High-Quality Materials
Often times, people choose the kind of radiator that the local retail parts’ distributor has to sell, which is typically lower quality than needed, especially for high-performance vehicles. Not unlike countless other automotive parts, a radiator has many layers of quality, and some of them are much more superior to others. When choosing Chevy radiators for high-performance vehicles or classics, they should be chosen by using a higher standard for quality and durability.
High-quality Chevy radiators should consist of the following:
- Fully High-grade Aluminum
- Equipped with 100% Welded Seams
- Consist of Brazed Core Technology
- Contain Zero Epoxy
Replacement Type
There are two types of radiators to consider when replacing Chevy radiators, which are downflow and crossflow. Downflow radiators have header tanks at the top and bottom of the core. The coolant travels vertically through the core. Crossflow radiators have header tanks on the side of the core, and the coolant travels horizontally. This distinction is important to remember when replacement occurs because not all aftermarket replacements will fit properly. Typically, the designated radiator area for high-performance vehicles has already been modified from its original style.
If you’re replacing your radiator and want to do it the right way, choose a high-quality radiator that is durable and made with materials that are sustainable for high-performance.
