My radiator is basically rotten. Its not a great one so im not going to recore it. Whats a good 2 row radiator for an 85 12a? Oh yeah, and for under $300.

 

You could put a pre-83 rad in it. They are supposed to be better than the later ones. The stock one cools quite well, to tell you the truth. Unless you are going to quite higher levels of power or a turbo, I would stay stock if money was an issue. Or get your end tanks recored to a larger 2 row. My $.02

 

Im trying to think ahead. im either going to go blow-through, or get a larger carb and headers. So i want something good, but not ridiculos. I dont think im going to be doing much autox or anything serious.

 

Along the same lines... im going to do a T2 swap... what radiator should i get? Or would the stock beable to hold out for a while?

 

you can get a 81-83 3core from mazdatrix for $199.
Thats what Im getting

 

Hey Guys -

NEW RADIATOR - $119. Radiators.com

79-83 Stock is Short and Stubby 3 Core
84-85 Stock is a Taller 2 Core.

I have a GSL-SE with a Turbo going in and I just bought a new radiator for it. The 84/85 Radiator is too narrow for a third row - I tried!

My Tuner (Crispeed) said the stock Radiator with a Mazda 160 degree Thermostat is fine for my application.
I am also using the Black Magic 2800 CFM fan as well.

The 84/85 stock radiator is designed to fit on top of the front mount oil cooler like the GSL-SE as well (a very worthwhile upgrade).