2001 - 2004 Corvette C5 Aluminum Radiator - Quick Disconnect Automatic Transmission

2001–2004 Corvette C5 Aluminum Radiator – Quick Disconnect Automatic Transmission

Our heavy-duty aluminum radiator for the 2001–2004 C5 Corvette with an automatic transmission and M18×1.5 GM-style quick-disconnect transmission cooler lines. It does not fit earlier C5s that use inverted-flare cooler line fittings. For those cars, see our 1997–2004 Corvette C5 Aluminum Radiator – Automatic Transmission.

Features

• All-aluminum construction with a heavy-duty 2-row core of 1.0" tubes and a higher fin density than performance radiators costing 3 times as much
• Heavy-duty transmission cooler for automatic applications
• Includes ECP GM 3/8" quick-disconnect adapters
• Fully TIG welded with no epoxy
• Upper and lower hose connections: 1-5/16"
• Overall dimensions: 28" wide × 18-7/8" tall
• Core dimensions: 24-3/4" wide × 17-3/8" high

The radiator has a natural aluminum finish. The unit pictured was cleaned with Scotch-Brite and Never Dull for photos.

TECH NOTE · 2001–2004 CORVETTE C5 · AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Which M18×1.5 cooler line fitting does your Corvette have?

FRONT VIEW · RADIATOR / SEAL SIDE

Identical on both quick-disconnect fittings

Both versions screw into the radiator with an M18×1.5 thread and seal with the same red/black face seal. This side can't tell you whether our radiator will work. Turn the line over and look at the back, where the steel line enters the fitting.

✔ GM QUICK DISCONNECT

WORKS WITH OUR RADIATOR

BACK VIEW · LINE SIDE

Look for: a wire spring clip visible in the collar at the back, wrapped around the line.

To remove: clamp the gold GM disconnect tool around the line and push it into the back of the fitting to spread the clip, then pull the line straight out. The factory fitting stays in the old radiator.

To install: push the line into the included ECP GM 3/8" quick-disconnect adapter until it clicks, then pull back to confirm it's locked.

✘ FORD-STYLE QUICK DISCONNECT

WILL NOT WORK WITH OUR ADAPTER

BACK VIEW · LINE SIDE

Look for: no spring clip. The line goes straight into a plain, solid collar at the back.

Why it won't work: the line is held by tabs inside the fitting, Ford-style, and its tube end won't lock into our GM-style adapter.

Options: the line must be cut and re-ended to suit the radiator. That's a DIY fix. Contact us before ordering if your car has this fitting.

Note: this style is found on late-2000 to mid-2001 cars and on some later 2004 cars.

Use the right tool for your fitting

GM QUICK DISCONNECT TOOL

GOLD SPLIT COLLAR · FOR STANDARD GM 3/8" QUICK DISCONNECT TRANS LINES

Clamps around the steel line, then pushes into the back of the fitting to spread the spring clip. This is the tool for a C5 Corvette with the GM fitting, which works with our radiator.

FORD QUICK DISCONNECT TOOL

SILVER SCISSOR TOOL · FOR FORD-STYLE QUICK DISCONNECT TRANS LINES

Releases the tabs inside a Ford-style fitting. The two tools are not interchangeable, and a Ford-style line won't lock into our adapter even once it's out.

Removing the line with the GM quick disconnect tool

The gold GM tool is about $10 on Amazon. Work on one line at a time, with a drain pan ready for a little fluid.

GM TOOL CLAMPED ON THE LINE AND PUSHED INTO THE FITTING

1. Clamp the tool around the line. Open the gold collar and close it around the steel line just behind the fitting, stepped face toward the fitting.
2. Push it into the fitting. Slide it along the line and press it firmly into the back of the fitting. That spreads the spring clip off the bead on the tube.
3. Pull the line out. Keep the tool pressed in and pull the line straight out. The factory fitting stays in the old radiator.
4. Install in the ECP adapter. Push the line into the included GM 3/8" adapter until it clicks, then pull back to confirm it's locked.