Calling All Aftermarket Aluminum Radiators
#76
just installed mishimoto
So yesterday I finally tackled the radiator job. Had the mishimoto sitting in my room for a few weeks while my car was slowly leaking coolant from the upper tank at the seam next to the nipple going to the reservoir. Not the nipple itself. It took a while to get the old one out and that was one of the harder parts along with getting the new and thicker one back in. The mishimoto was thicker so it was a struggle to get it in and try to keep the condenser from getting dinged. Everything matched up for the most part, but I mean its an aftermarket radiator. So its not gonna be perfect and I expected that so it was no surprise when I had to waller out one of the mounting holes for the fan bracket a little bit to get the bolt hole to line up. That was about the only issue. All in all it was a decent fit with just a few minor tweaks to it. I recommend it, I dont have a scan gauge or anything so I can't see temps or anything like that, but id imagine it keeps it somewhat cooler and its already better considering its not spraying coolant everywhere in my engine bay.
#77
Registered
Koyo Performance Radiator
I installed a Koyo High Performance 37 mm radiator (from Goodwin Racing) this past summer and it went in with no fitment issues and it performed well in the Arizona July and August heat. It got me to Sevenstock 17 and back (in November, so no big deal).
The challenge was getting the silicone hoses onto the top hose bridge (if I have that correct). Took a vise, a screwdriver and a bunch of liquid soap to get it on. I have to say the clamps Racing Beat provided were pretty nice.
Too bad none of this work shows!
The challenge was getting the silicone hoses onto the top hose bridge (if I have that correct). Took a vise, a screwdriver and a bunch of liquid soap to get it on. I have to say the clamps Racing Beat provided were pretty nice.
Too bad none of this work shows!
#78
Registered
Another Radiator
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. Black Halo Racing
- 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. Koyo V-Core Radiator MAZDA RX-8
- Knightsports/Koyo: Great fitment and performance according to nycgps. KNIGHT SPORTS????????? | ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????
- 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.Mishimoto Performance Aluminum Radiator MAZDA RX-8
- 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. PWR Aluminum Radiator 38mm Mazda RX8 2004
- AWR: http://store.awrracing.com/radiator-...petition-8501/
- CSF: CSF Radiator Mazda RX8 [Aluminum] (2004-2008) 3164
Ultimate Performance Radiator by RX-8 Performance | RX8Performance.com
It's a dual pass. It's also expensive.
#2, BHR no longer lists a radiator.
#4, Koyo sells several, but the V2695 is the one most cited.
#5, Knighsport no longer lists on their web site.
#6, Greddy has no listing on their web site.
#9, PWR no longer listed.
#10, AWR: no longer listed.
Last edited by Nuke It; 04-24-2015 at 10:40 AM. Reason: more info
#82
So I'm going to need a new radiator too. And I'm on a pretty tight budget. Plus, my fans are positively tight and seized up so I'm most likely gonna have to change those too. Seems like the CSF is the best by general consensus, but it's almost twice as much as the ebay Speed Daddy one that comes with fans. But $150 for a radiator and fans just doesn't sound all that great...any advice?
#83
Driving my unreliable rx8
Calling All Aftermarket Aluminum Radiators
You get what you pay for.
If your fans are seized why are you getting a new radiator not just a good set of fans?
If your fans are seized why are you getting a new radiator not just a good set of fans?
Last edited by logalinipoo; 06-02-2015 at 11:45 AM. Reason: darn phone app
#86
Should I still consider the speed daddy radiator? (the one without the fans if they're not good) I mean I'm not tracking my car and if it works well for street use then it'll work well for me. And how's mounting? any mods needed?
And what would you guys suggest as far as fans and shrouds? I noticed that the stock shroud has a hole on the top of the passenger side for a tube that comes out of the ecu (ecu cooling, I guess?), but all the aftermarket ones look like they just cover up the whole radiator. I don't see how this couldn't cause a problem...
Also, btw, why is there a plastic intake just to cool off the battery? Do batteries REALLY get that hot?
What if I just bought some actual good quality fans and mounted them up like the ones on that ebay radiator, without a shroud? does the shroud help significantly?
Lol sorry, I've got lots of questions, but any help is much appreciated. Thank you.
#87
Driving my unreliable rx8
ahh, yes that is a common problem. As for other radiators and fans I don't really know. I have a CSF rad and it works great for me, but stock fans, and a custom under tray. So your results will definately be different than mine.
Yes a enclosed battery can get very hot, but they also off gas fumes, and that will vent them.
Yes a enclosed battery can get very hot, but they also off gas fumes, and that will vent them.
#89
So would the OE be better than the speed daddy performance-wise? because if not I'd rather have all aluminum. I just don't want to risk breaking the fittings again, and having plastic on my radiator would just make me feel a little bit sad inside...
#90
I did speed daddy, its thicker and all aluminum so those plastic bits that brake are no longer an issue, been running it fine for street use on turbo car with lower tstat for over a year now. Some bolt taps need to be bent. Thicker doesn't mean its better it could still be as good as stock.
#91
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
What year is your car and how long did it last? The fitting on my original 2005 OE radiator is still fine, but it's your money to spend as you see fit. If you're planning to keep the car another 10+ years then maybe it makes sense to put a racing radiator on it.
#92
It's an 04 that I'm rebuilding, basically. Looks like it was sitting outside for a good amount of time (there were ants in it when I bought it). But I think I am gonna go with the Speed Daddy then, if it's working alright for you guys. I'm just a little concerned about fan shroud and that ECU cooler that feeds into the stock fan shroud. Does that tube need to go into the fan shroud? Seems to me like it could just stick out anywhere in the engine bay if air's already flowing through it.
#93
Registered
iTrader: (2)
the new rx8performance radiator is no longer being made by Ron Davis - and the lead time has been cut down substantially. Doesn't have too many in stock at the moment though - the manufacturer ran out of the cores needed for this unit.
Just a heads up for those looking for another dual pass radiator option.
Just a heads up for those looking for another dual pass radiator option.
#94
SARX Legend
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
Yeah just make sure it's not "preproduction" and missing a drain plug. You also want to make sure you pay with a credit card or paypal as extra insurance considering who the seller is.
#96
SARX Legend
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
Yes there have been some issues with quality and shipping times on certain items that I know of that people have bought recently. Some choose to forgive and forget, some don't.
#97
Registered
iTrader: (4)
I am so pleased to hear that you were concerned, 9k, but since I am the one with the preproduction unit, shouldnt I be the one to bring it up? 600 bucks for a dual pass radiator, I have no complaints. All it takes is to disconnect a water line and drain it into a bucket, not the end of the world.
#98
SARX Legend
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
Should you be? You didn't know you were being sold a radiator without a drain plug. I realize you are not upset about it because you don't work on your own car, but I am sure others would be, so IMO it would be a good idea for them to ask just to make sure they are getting a drain plug and not a "preproduction" version without one.
#99
Registered
iTrader: (10)
The rx8performace rads came with no drain plugs? That's kinda awkward, I suppose you can drill and tap a drain bolt in there.
But anyways, still running my CSF aluminum rad about a year now almost to date and still holding strong. Temps nice and cool with my Cobb low fan settings set to 195f. Definitely one to consider if anyone is looking for a full aluminum bolt in radiator. Perfect fitment and very happy with it a year later.
But anyways, still running my CSF aluminum rad about a year now almost to date and still holding strong. Temps nice and cool with my Cobb low fan settings set to 195f. Definitely one to consider if anyone is looking for a full aluminum bolt in radiator. Perfect fitment and very happy with it a year later.