ramborican

Hello everyone, i bought a Megan 2 core radiator thinking it will fit without modifications. I have a 04 rx8. Mainly stock other than exhaust, intake and a few other stuff but never had problems with the radiator.So i bought this radiator and is a headache. Begining with fan shroud bolts misaligned, gap more than 1/2 inch between radiator and shroud. Now i found out the coolant reservoir dont clear the top hose due to the angle on top coupler. Does anyone had this problem before? There is any way to fix this other than return this item ?

​​​​​​Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Steve Dallas

Your first mistake was "Megan". Return it if you can. Don't replace it with a Mishimoto unless you want similar problems. CSF and Koyo radiators are known to fit.

ramborican

Thanks ! My mistake...i read almost all the treads about radiator and Megan wasnt mentioned. Every day u learn something... thanks.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

+1 for Koyo. Was a direct fit, took all of like an hour to unbutton the front end, install it and a new coolant tank, and button everything back up.

ramborican

Thanks. Yes ...i guess i have to get me a Koyo. New overflow reservoir on hand. While on the subject...can i use any kind of foam as a replacement for the OEM side and bottom foams?

Thanks.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

I'm gonna tell you to get CSF only because it's a dual pass, which makes for more flow, which makes for better. Koyo is great too, haven't had any issues with mine in the 90+ CO high desert. As far as foam goes - something heat resistant. Usually, you could probably use high temp pipe insulation from your local home improvement store.

ramborican

Thanks for the advice. I went to the mazda dealership n see if i can order the foam. They told me it comes with the radiator if i order thru them but that i can use any type of foam, even the one from home depot. LOL ! I was thinking...what if my car caught on fire with that advice...whos gonna pay for the damage LOL. I was thinking the same way. High temperature tube cover from Lowes might do the trick. What still gets me is this ebay guy who told me this Megan radiator will fit my car and it dont. He charge me shipping charges and tax ! And the cherry on top is he wants the rad. back with no scratches and i have to pay return plus 20% restocking fee, they are a bundle of leeches and crooks ! like if i knew it wont fit without mounting the darn thing. Oh well...will see. Hopefully i get my money back. Thanks for the advice. ! !

Steve Dallas

Pipe foam insulation from Lowes Racing or Home Depot Racing works just fine. See pages 2 and 4 of this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-af...-245281/page2/

Trying to save a few bucks by buying auto parts off eBay rarely ends well. Buy once and cry once: quality products from reputable sellers.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

Ironically, I did buy my radiator from Ebay. I used a reputable seller though who had something like 9k+ in sales. Your seller sounds like an *******, however.

ramborican

Thanks. ! .....i know right. ! My faith in human kind has gone to hell. Trust no one. Freaking leeches that prowl this world. Maybe i need to fix my car and go for a really long drive...

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Take the dispute to ebay or paypal, if you used it. The item doesn't match the description or fit the vehicle you specified.

ramborican

Thanks. ! ...im in the process.

Mishimoto

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to state that if Mishimoto claims direct fit on a product, we have in fact tested it on the vehicle in question. If you have purchased a radiator for your RX-8 and are having fitment issues, feel free to contact us directly at support@mishimoto.com

Thank you and have a great day,
Mishimoto

ramborican

Thanks ! I heard the same thing from the other brand. I have faith this time it will work....will see. Thanks for the info !!

ramborican

Well...i received my brand new MISHIMOTO radiator for my car. ! They claim its a direct fit to my car! I happy joy joy open the box...and there it is! GOSH ! ! All wrapped up like a babys butt with a clean diaper....a brand spanking new super radiator! It comes even with a SUPER magnetic plug ! I still.cant figure why, but well...sounds intelligent. I pick my old OEM fan shroud and TRY to install it ...oh...oh ...happy hour went to s***s. ! The fan shroud dont line up...i have a big gap between the shroud and the radiator. I think my common sense tells me , it is impossible to drop the engine temperature when the fans are drawing ambient air from around the radiator not thru the radiator. At least the top hose is at the right angle !!

Steve Dallas

There are no words. See post #2. Return it now and buy a CSF or Koyo, before you find all the other fitment problems.

Having said that...

Some gap around the fan shroud can be normal. There is a balance to be struck between cooling by fans when stopped or moving slowly, and cooling by forced air when moving at speed. When stuck in traffic, the ideal situation is to have sealed fan shrouds for maximum efficiency. When cruising down the highway, the ideal situation is to have no obstructions, meaning no fans and no shroud. One of the viable real-world compromise situations is to have gaps around the fan shrouds to let air bypass the shrouds some at cruising speeds, but to not have those gaps be big enough to compromise cooling by the fans too much.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

I'm with Steve on this one. I'm now a little worried, because I did order something from Mishimoto but not for my RX8. Let's hope it fits...