jbherri2

iTrader: (1)

I've seen various threads talking about eBay radiators in our cars. But, I'm a little unclear on what radiator is that, actually. Is is this one?

ALUMINUM RADIATOR FOR 1979-1985 MAZDA RX7 RX-7 S1 S2 S3 3ROW MT +Shroud&Fans

It includes electric fans, which seems like a plus. Well, maybe a plus. I'd be interested in any input you guys have. My radiator, so far, seems to be okay. Hope it remains so.

Mikelivi91

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure someone will come in and beat the eBay radiator to hell on the forum about how they would never trust one but I've run numerous eBay 2 and 3 row aluminum radiators in the past without any problems. I have noticed with the proper shroud and fan setup it is much more efficient, which is obvious with any radiator. Word to the wise... A fan setup without the proper shroud does little to nothing.


If you plan on sending the car through heat cycles and hitting the track hard id recommend a quality radiator, but for a daily driver or grocery getter an eBay aluminum rad isn't a bad option for the money.

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

The common radiator is the three row Champion one. I remember the price being around $160 shipped though without the fan. Electric fans are overhyped unless you need the space for a special build. The factory clutch fan seems to work fine.

WANKfactor

iTrader: (1)

There are two schools of thought with shrouds - they might help the fans to be a bit more efficient drawing air through the whole core, but also inhibit natural air flow while driving.
A flush mounted fan with no shroud still works well. Most after market fans recommend this method.

As to the ebay rad you listed i bought the EXACT same one with the EXACT same fans except without the shroud for about a third of the price from ebay australia. I dont know how many factories in China are churning these things out but they are everywhere.

I literally got the cheapest one i could find with fans as it was a temporary arrangement while i had a custom one made up.

The one i got was leak free and performed admirably. Although I imagine i may have gotten lucky there.

I did have to make wings to get it to bolt up to my stock '85 (aus) radiator supports though.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

I'm with KC on this one.

For for a small fraction of one of those aluminum units with the electrical wing ding motors:



you can get a stock rad that's a perfect fit for half the price ($130 vs $240):



1983 MAZDA RX-7 1.1L R2 Radiator | RockAuto

Ad the proper shrouding and your 12A can't get no cooler.

Qingdao

iTrader: (3)

I think he is talking about clutch fans. E-fan's I could see there being a debate, but if you run a clutch fan without a shroud you are just spinning the fan for no reason at all.

WANKfactor

iTrader: (1)

Yeah i was going to clarify that

59bomb

I installed a 3 core aluminum radiator in my 79 after the stock one sprung a nice leak. I picked it up on Amazon for about $130 shipped. Bolted up perfect with zero modification, 10 year manufacturer warranty to boot.


A properly sized shroud is necessary when using a mechanical clutch or flex fan. A flush mounted electric fan needs no shroud.

It's tough to beat the advantages of a clutch fan on a street car. There's minimal cruising HP loss and are extremely reliable. A race driven car is a different story with a different set of needs where an electric fan might benefit.

tommyeflight89

iTrader: (4)

I went with a three row CSF rad for my car. Drop in OEM fitment/appearance and you know it is not eBAY junk.

Has been fine with 30degC days and my 12A streetport.

elwood

iTrader: (1)

I've been running an ebay fan for 3 years, and it works fine . . . except for the low quality o-rings they put in the plugs. The brazing and welding seem to be fine, but any plug that's installed in the rad should be inspected. If there's an o-ring in it, replace it with something else (a good quality o-ring, a pipe-thread plug, anything!). The original ones will crack, and coolant will leak.

The other concern I would have is the fan motors. I don't know who makes them and if they have any OEM automotive quality control. I'm using SPAL fans because they are an OEM-qualified supplier.

Lastly, you may better off with an e-fan(s) mounted close to the core without a shroud. As stated earlier, the car will cool much better while in motion without the shroud. I drive my car daily in the summer in both highway and stop-and-go traffic. Even on 95deg days, it's rare that my fan comes on. (I'm running an OEM 180deg thermostat with a fan switch that turns on at 195deg and off at 185deg.) The temp rise while stationary is very, very slow. I am not, however, running A/C -- that may have a significant effect on the rate of temp rise.

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

That's my video on using an eBay radiator.

I posted the links to the items I used in the comments and in the description.

Total for the fans and the radiator was $160 for both of them, the seller of the fans has the fan setup listed at $70 right now which would bring the total up to $195 for the fans and the radiator.

I haven't been able to put a ton of miles on these items so far, but the radiator isn't leaking and the fans work when I turn the switch on so I can't complain yet