Calling All Aftermarket Aluminum Radiators
#1
SARX Legend
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Calling All Aftermarket Aluminum Radiators
I recently found out that Stillen has an aftermarket aluminum radiator available for our car and as far as I know, no one has ever mentioned it. I have had great experiences in the past with Stillen products it's probably a good product. So I figured a thread with all of the available radiators in it might be helpful.
Edited 10/17/14
Edited 10/17/14
- Mizu Racing Radiator: I have it and fitment is perfect. No longer sold new but mine is still working just fine.
- BHR/Griffin Radiatlor: Most reviews are great from everything I have read. But we did have one local guy who significant fitment issues. I am not sure of that was resolved by BHR with Griffin or not. http://blackhaloracing.com/?page_id=...&product_id=18
- Mazmart/Ron Davis: Fitment is known to be perfect and performance as well. I have this radiator waiting to go into Hoss-05's car and I can say the build quality is excellent. Ron Davis also offers other variants (dual core IIRC) for the RX-8 thru Mazda Motorsports http://www.mazmart.com/ItemDetail.aspx?id=257
- Koyo rad: Some fitment issues have been noted and many have stated the performance is lacking even when compared to the stock calsonic radiator (which is pretty damn good). Some have stated both fitment and performance have improved. http://thmotorsports.com/koyo/koyo_r...5/i-35589.aspx
- Knightsports/Koyo: Great fitment and performance according to nycgps. http://www.knightsports.co.jp/
- Greddy: Not much on it. http://www.jmautoracing.com/20042010...r-p-51426.html
- Mishimoto: Known fitment issues, not sure how it performs. Mishimoto did chime here in a thread and state that the fitment issues were be fixed. Not sure if that ever happened or not.http://thmotorsports.com/mishimoto/m.../i-253144.aspx
- BWR: Never heard of it or anyone who has used it. http://assaultech.com/blackworks_rac.../i-397367.aspx
- PWR: Top notch product used by many race teams so i am sure it fits and performs well but that is juts my guess. http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/a...04-p-6136.html
- AWR: http://store.awrracing.com/radiator-...petition-8501/
- CSF: http://www.redline360.com/csf-radiator-mazda-rx8-3164
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 10-18-2014 at 08:26 PM.
#2
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
When my radiator broke in December of 2009, I initially bought the Koyo and in my experience the fitment of the specific radiator was terrible: location of the fan mounts were not aligned, bottom hangers were offset and didn't fit the rubber bushings, and there weren't any top hangers. I returned it and ordered Mishimoto instead. The only problem I had with Mishimoto's radiator is that I had made adjustments on the top hanger, it was angled differently. In addition, both are thicker than the OEM Calsonic radiator so the coolant reservoir and the rod for the hood fits a bit snug.
I can't offer much of performance, but I went through two >110°F Summers and driven with it for more than 40,000 miles without any issues. However, I recently noticed loss of fluid due to a broken coolant seal/freeze plug(white smoke at start up and sweet smell out of my exhaust); I can't say it's because of the Mishimoto radiator, my original engine racked up a pretty good mileage, as well.
I can't offer much of performance, but I went through two >110°F Summers and driven with it for more than 40,000 miles without any issues. However, I recently noticed loss of fluid due to a broken coolant seal/freeze plug(white smoke at start up and sweet smell out of my exhaust); I can't say it's because of the Mishimoto radiator, my original engine racked up a pretty good mileage, as well.
Last edited by Grace_Excel; 11-25-2011 at 12:28 PM.
#4
SARX Legend
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I forgot about that one. For that one you have to be part of the Mazda Motorsports program right? I also heard C&R Racing sold one too but I searched for info on it and could not find it.
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 11-25-2011 at 01:07 PM.
#5
Modulated Moderator
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I have the Ron Davis Motorsports rad...it is a huge core that is dual pass....
It really won't work with an OEM setup though.......it doesn't come with mounting tabs for the A/C condenser and the fan. There is another similar Ron Davis one that I have seen which is the same core...with the mounts and everything so it ill fit OEM that will be out soon I think
The C&R racing rad is a beast too...but has similar problems the the Motorsports rad..they are made for a racecar...so custom setyp is needed
Also the radiator hose position is different than stock...so tweeking the rad hoses is needed
It really won't work with an OEM setup though.......it doesn't come with mounting tabs for the A/C condenser and the fan. There is another similar Ron Davis one that I have seen which is the same core...with the mounts and everything so it ill fit OEM that will be out soon I think
The C&R racing rad is a beast too...but has similar problems the the Motorsports rad..they are made for a racecar...so custom setyp is needed
Also the radiator hose position is different than stock...so tweeking the rad hoses is needed
Last edited by dannobre; 11-25-2011 at 05:48 PM.
#7
You beat me to it man, but as far as I know C&R does not make a radiator for the RX8. If they did, it would definitely be quite expensive and overkill for a non track car. On another note, a friend of mine has a Mishimoto radiator for his RX8 and he couldnt be more pleased with his purchase.
#8
SARX Legend
Thread Starter
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I think with the cheaper models fitment can be an issue but not with every unit. I think it's just poor QC. My Mizu fits perfect but I can't speak for anyone else as it is pretty new.
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longpath (04-27-2022)
#14
Out of NYC
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I dont have fitment issue with the koyo rad. As for performanace i think most of the koyo owners were earlier adopters and so most of them never transfer the foam over to the new rad. which resulted in garbage performance. I still have my koyo rad so i might swap it back in next summer just to test it. Hope i will have time to do that
I have been using knight sports rad made by koyo for quite a while. I would say im quite happy with its performance. Almost double the size of stock rad. Comes with everything u need for install. Even comes with new foam foam for u to stick on. The lower tube mounts different but it comes with extra tube.
I have been using knight sports rad made by koyo for quite a while. I would say im quite happy with its performance. Almost double the size of stock rad. Comes with everything u need for install. Even comes with new foam foam for u to stick on. The lower tube mounts different but it comes with extra tube.
Last edited by nycgps; 12-28-2011 at 12:41 PM.
#15
Registered
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Lol, you are turbo but not tuned, so neither boosted yet nor running hard
Didn't see this one listed
http://store.awrracing.com/radiator-...petition-8501/
Didn't see this one listed
http://store.awrracing.com/radiator-...petition-8501/
#19
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the plastic nozzle on the stock radiator broke on me after a track day and i decided to do a proper upgrade.
Last edited by c0ldf1ame; 12-30-2011 at 06:21 PM.
#21
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Stillen and Mizu update
Stillen has discontinued their RX8 racing radiator that they got from CSF, Mizu is back ordered 30-90 days so if you want one buy in advance as its going to take a god awful long time for it to show up and believe me nobody has any in stock I checked went through four different people who said they had it and then turned out they didn't it's been a waste of my time
#22
I have a koyo rad, no fitment issues. I superglued some new foam on and it seems to be keeping the car cool. It is running @179-181 under normal driving conditions in 80*F.. I will be reporting back in a month or so when temps run up toward 100*F and higher.