SKYDRIFTER350

Hello,,
I am to replace my radiator...now that I know that my car can run properly....I mean, no internal problems that will cost big bucks...So, I am going to put a few more bucks in her to increase reliability and drivability. basically get to daily driver status.

I am looking on eBay for a radiator.. Aluminum, I guess, is the way to go. the cost is from a little over $100 on up... I like the ones with a petcock on the bottom and brass seems better than plastic. those seem to start around $160. no petcock units can be had for like $110... plastic petcock models around $140.

Does anyone have any recent experience with these RAD's off ebay?
could anyone offer some advise before I just kinda 'pick' one? lol... I see 1 yr warranty ones and some even offer 'lifetime' (those cost more)

any help is greatly appreciated.

Qingdao

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't pay more for a "lifetime" warranty off ebay. Just because are you REALLY gonna track down the seller in 4 years for a replacement?

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Just get the OEM replacement from rockauto, it works great, looks right and has a good price.

$140 to $162 all day long. I think I used a spectra last time I did this.

1985 MAZDA RX-7 1.1L R2 Radiator | RockAuto

mhr650

The eBay radiators are pretty high quality, I run one in my race car and it works fine. There are 2 different sizes that they sell, the ones for around $100 are for cars up to 83, 84-85 cars use a larger radiator that ends up selling for more like $150. Looks like you have an 85 so you need to make sure you get the right one for your car. I had to do some trimming to make mine fit but that was mainly to clear stuff like my larger sway bar and hoses for an FC oil cooler, on a stock car it would probably fit OK.

SKYDRIFTER350

Thanks for the info folks..

I never really thought I would be able to track down an eBay seller 4 years later if I had a problem on a 'lifetime warranty" item...the thing is. if thats what they are offering, in my experience, those that offer a lifetime warranty usually have a bit better product, thats all.

I like the look and added performance of the Aluminum unit. I have never bought from Rock Auto before, but I have heard good things about their service an price seems to be fair.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151973789610?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
something like this?? anybody have any reasons why this is not a decent unit?
I will measure for the difference in body type YR of manufacture...thx.


Thx.

Qingdao

iTrader: (3)

Is the rock auto one copper or Al?

7aull

iTrader: (2)

I struggled with this too: stock (Rock Auto Style) or aluminum Chinese. Bit the bullet on the chinese (US Distributor in CA): $110 shipped to Alaska, which is an Epic value. Of course shipping is a non-issue for those of you who live in the 48 contiguous...
So - it arrived (UPS!) in 3 days and I have to say, I-am-Impressed! These look to be very nicely assembled units. I got the 3 row, which is the most common (stock is 2). They have matched up all the mount points for shroud, FMOC mounts, etc perfectly, that I can tell visually. As well as appropriate points for senders - and even a drain plug which my OE rad does not have.
The caveat:
I have not INSTALLED mine yet, so no input on performance, or wether in fact it may leak everywhere?? Considering the quantity of these offered on ebay (and even tho the name of the suppliers are listed as _different_, you may note they all seem to come from the same area-code in CA!), and the positive feedback they have, I do not expect any bad news.
Pics with a stock SA rad below...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

mhr650

Pretty much all of the sellers you see on eBay are just different storefronts for the same importer, I am sure that every one of them is built in the same factory. When I bought my radiator the quality was fine but it was damaged in shipping although still useable. The one thing you won’t get with most of the eBay storefronts is good customer service so after getting frustrated with the seller I bought a replacement form a different store and it arrived with some of the same stickers on the box as the first one and was exactly the same part. Eventually I was able to get reimbursed by FedEx so I have a good radiator and an emergency spare that I can take to the races.

Qingdao

iTrader: (3)

Ya'll need to git off your butts and finish that bridge so you can just drive to China and get it.

Arcolithe

I got a radiator cheap from sone jsrcooling guy, may not be his exact name. No water leak issues and all the plugs fit right, it was described for the fb
Maybe he still has a few left after these years

SKYDRIFTER350

Hello Folks..

Well, I got the radiator ordered and installed... the previous owner had rigged an electric fan in replacement of the shaft dried stock jobber...he made a pretty decent shroud (out of aluminum sheet) that I had to adapt to the new radiator...I had to cut the metal that protrudes on the engine side that you would bolt the stock shroud to...so, then I had to make custom brakes to hold it together...all in good fun, hey!

I haven't really driven it much as I had to go out of town,,for a longer time than I wanted..but that is another story....but it ran cooler after the warm up and test drive...so I am happy...the temp gauge used to ride on the right side near the thick mark...not the HOT tick, but the one on the right side tho, now it rides on the left side...a bit past the first tick..but not past the 1/2 way point...at lease so far..we shall see how she performs when in stop and go at 90F...LoL....

I'll try to get some pics of the instal if I can get them off my phone..

thanks for all the advice...

lx_machado

iTrader: (13)

+1 on an ebay radiator. $130 shipped and I haven't had any problems so far.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151957454430?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

SKYDRIFTER350

cool turbo setup...I have adjusted the electric fan and bought the 'header' panel that goes in front and above the radiator, that my car did not come with, and this lowered the coolant temp even more....all is working as it should...