I have the tell-tale antifreeze dripping into the passenger side. Its not too bad yet. Good thing its warming up.
What brand heater core should I buy? I want to do this Job once so I want to get the best quality one out there. Should I order one from GM Parts Direct or will an Autozone/Napa core be alright?
I have already performed a search on this.
Thanks.

 

There's a rule of thumb i use for buying parts.

If it's pretty easy to change, and won't leave me stranded somewhere, I'll go with a part from the discount house.

If it will leave me stranded, or a PITA to change, I get from NAPA, or the dealer.

Remember the best thing about discount parts houses is the warranty, not the quality.

 

i got mine from autozone for like $15, seems to work fine, but i wouldn't mess with it unless you have to, its a real PITA, theres this one bolt thats nearly impossible to get to, even if you take that dash pad off, and i broke several plastic pieces trying to get it apart too. good luck if you do decide to do it though

 

Just pick one up from AutoZone for $15. It comes with a lifetime warranty as well.

I can't see paying 3x as much for a heater core that comes from the dealer... especially when they are probably going to be the exact same part.

 

Yeah that is what I hate about new cars. It seems that no matter how gentle I am some plastic piece of junk is going to break. After buying this firebird I have vowed to never buy anything newer than 1970. Don't get me wrong. I like the car. But old stuff is made out of this foreign material called metal, which, if it does break, is usualy the handlers fault. And metal is easy to repair.

Back to the subject.
How long have you all had the autozone one. I just don't want to sacrafice quality for price. I don't have a problem spending $50 or $60 on a new GM core (or whatever it costs for that matter) if I know that it will last. Of course, the same goes for the $15.00 one. Cheaper is always better if it is great quality.

Is there anything in particular that I should look out for?

 

use a deepwell scocketwith a 2.5" exteniton with a 1/4" drive rachetfor that top bolt I had mine out in about 10 min, I diden't need to pull the dash pad, just pull the lower hush panel, the computer and the the box, it was one of the eaiser jobs i've done....also run tap water through the heater core....you'll end up dumping it's cotents all over and anti-freeze leaves a smell behind.

 

I bought my car in January of 2004, and the heater core was one of the first things to crap out when I bought it. Replaced it with an AutoZone heater core the same month and it hasn't given me a single problem yet. And even if it did, it's got a lifetime warranty (come on, it's only $15).