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radiator replacement

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:01 am
by kennygs72
so my radiator is leaking from the top tank , the upper hose barb is cracked under the hose so I 'm to be replacing it. which one would you buy ?
Spectra? looks a little too cheap to me
Ac Delco? a little pricy
cold case? looks good but only shows fitment for the G8

Re: radiator replacement

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 12:35 am
by smwalker
If I remember correctly the GM units come with a lifetime warranty now - although I believe that has to be installed by a GM shop.

If you plan on keeping the car I would go for a GM unit but if you do not mind replacing it a bit more often just go with the cheaper aftermarket unit.

Does it look like that was that your original Radiator? How many miles and years you get out of it?

Re: radiator replacement

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:58 am
by SSpeedracer
I bought a spectra for $200. The ACDelco was $400-500. Absurd.

Re: radiator replacement

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:24 am
by kennygs72
my '11 9c3 just turned 81k , it does look like the original one. I agree on the price of the delco unit, that's kinda why I was asking about them. Has no one used the Cold case radiator?

Re: radiator replacement

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:46 pm
by smwalker
I know many of the G8 guys have used the cold case. If I remember correctly they were having an issue with the lower hose connector. May have figured it out by now.

Re: radiator replacement

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 8:16 pm
by leadfoot
Speaking of radiators - does anyone know if the bottom rad hose fitting is supposed to move? Mine wiggles as if it is adjustable? Seems odd.-but yet no blatant leak.

It not the original radiator, in fact the service records indicate several rad replacements, so not sure whats up with that?

Re: radiator replacement

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 9:17 pm
by smwalker
I believe it has a notch where it is indexed so it should not turn 360 degrees but may have a little wiggle room.

Re: radiator replacement

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:27 pm
by V8turboblazer
I just bought a cold case radiator. It said “direct fit” OK I’ll start with the first thing I noticed the filler neck is crooked and the threads are a little jagged. Then I tried to test fit the fans and they won’t fit with out modifications, the core is thicker so some of the plastic will have to be removed at the top and bottom and probably the vertical plastic part between the fans. I’m very disappointed ☹️ China would have made a better radiator I would give this a 3 out of 10 for QC and design. This is definitely not a direct fit. What a piece of crap. If you’re caprice is your only car don’t expect to swap this quickly.