My Radiator took a huge dump today. I was just about to take off and out of the blue I heard a massive bang from under the hood. I opened the hood to a steam shower and plastic fragments. The radiator split down the center of the top end tank leaving a 1" hole all the way across.

Before the explosion I had noticed small spider webbing along the top tank and what looked to be coolant sweat near the inlet. I knew I had to replace the radiator, but I never thought it would self destruct in such a dramatic way. So, if you see tiny cracks, and or coolant sweating from the end tank, order your new radiator.

I found that mazdatrix has the best price for a dual core metal/aluminum radiator. Anyone have any input on this radiator? Any input on what is the best radiator?

 

Yes, the radiator is one of the few POS parts on this otherwise excellent car.

Griffin makes the best radiators, but I don't think that you need this level of cooling with your GTU, and it costs about twice as much as the Mazdatrix unit. I don't have any experience with the Mazdatrix radiator, but you will probably be OK with any brand as long as it's all metal.

 

considering you blew your rad (high pressure) and are only running 17 sec 1/4 mile. I wouldn't be surprised if your engine seals were gone letting gas into the cooling system. before the rad blew were you loosing any coolant? running hot?

 

Mine did the same thing. I was worried that the seals were gone, like written above. My engine was fine. I guess those things just don't last forever. It went BANG!!!!! while I was revving a little before I left the driveway.

 

That looks just about the same as what I have, but instead of peeling back like yours did, mine flew completly apart leaving nothing but a few scraps left.

No, I was not losing coolant. My level has always been full.

 

Also check out radiators from Rotary Performance. I think they have mazda brass units for around $250.

 

Just wanted to add my .02 to this thread and link this

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...light=radiator

To it as well. I had never realized that the upper part of the radiator cracking was a common thing to occur but last friday. Yup. It cracked and due to the info here I parked and replaced the radiator ASAP. I ended up buying one from a local auto parts store for $190. One had one for $160 but I had to wait a week....anyway. I also found you can put a radiator from an auto into a manual and some RX-7's like mine didn't have a cap on top of the radiator. The one I put it has a cap on top of the radiator. Had to trim the opening of the intake slightly and tee the other overflow line into the overflow bottle. Other than that it fit well.

 

I've got a decent all metal one I'll sell you for 150 plus shipping The previous owner had put it in, but I took it out when I got my fluidyne. It's a pretty good one though.