My Radiator is in need of replacement...Are there any popular options? any of you use an aftermarket rad? whats the popular setup?

 

no body wants to touch this eh? lol

 

Replace it with a stock radiator or a 2nd gen rad tilted back.

 

radiators.com

 

what about the 3rd gen rad tilted forward?

 

is the 2nd gen rad a dirrect swap?

 

IMO anything from a rotary is good for a rotary. Oh, and I ment tilted forward in my first post. Well, whatever the style is where the top of the rad is more forward than the bottom.

 

oh ok, thats what I meant too... With the FC rad, will the hoses and stuff match up on my gsl-se?

 

Make life simple for yourself and just get a stock replacement and you'll be just fine.

 

^ +1

 

And you can get a good deal at:

radiators.com

or some other on-line rad supplier.

My two-core (stock has only one, I believe) guaranteed replacement is 3 or four years old now, cost me about $120, shipping and tax included.

 

+1 on radiators.com, thats where i got mine

 

Has anyone attempted the 3rd gen rad in 1st gen? I want to upgrade to an aluminum rad, and the 3rd gen rads seem more redily available. I just need to know if it'll fit.

 

You could check local rad shops too. I bought my replacement there for 190. little more than radiators.com but infinetly more conveniant.

 

3rd gen rad is too wide. I had access to one, but I also had access to a stock 3 row core tall style radiator from an '83-'85. I went with the stock 3 row core tall style radiator from an '83-'85. I wouldn't bother with a 2nd gen rad if given the chance.

 

The stock style rad is more than up to the task. Just get a direct replacement and worry more about upgrading your oil cooler if you have the beehive style.

 

A lot of posts about new radiators. Can't you just get your old one recored?
On my 12A (with the beehive engine oil cooler not the radiator one), a recore cost £100 = $200 approk. For that the radiator is as good as new.
Recoring is a commonplace thing for older cars over here. Probably because you cannot avoid winter salt all over UK.

 

you can recore, but you can generally get a new rad from radiators.com for a little over $100. They work well, too. Also, if you are in a rush, you can call them for the order and just pick up at the closest warehouse that has them. That is what I did since I was short on time and didn't want to wait to ship. Called in the evening and picked up the next morning..

 

radiator.com had mine at my door the next business day.

 

dude jus go stock. i did mine in hardly no time at all. it worked out and cooled fine. good luck either way.

 

I'm in the same boat. I picked up a radiator from a buddy on the forum, and it blew up on me today. Radiator.com uses the same script as Radiators.com, and they both want $214 for a 2-row tall radiator for an S3. Anyone have better alternatives?

 

they are $160 at rockauto.com You could try calling your local rad shops to see how much they are there (avoid shipping)

 

Well, the automated script stuff was driving me crazy, so I just sent an email to radiators.com with my car's info. In the 10 minutes it took to call me, I had been to Autozone, Advance, and Rock Auto and had prices on-hand. Radiators.com matched the lowest price (Autozone) with a lifetime warrantee, and even knocked $10 off the price so that his $10 shipping worked out as a price match. Should be here Friday.

 

sweet

 

mazdatrix.com sells a a two row and a three aluminum radiator $300.00 bucks a pop...and also you can or h/she can fab a koyo radiator into the first gen chassis with little modification...