throughthewire

I have an 88 NA 'Vert; the engine itself is still entirely stock. I discovered today that the WOMPpsssht! from under the hood last night was the platic top of my stock radiator developing a 7" long horizontal crack.

I could go get another from a junk yard, but I'd rather put on a new one that isn't prone to the same kind of failure.

However, after just springing for a new Centerforce clutch, Bönez cat, and RB catback, along with various tranny bearings, seals and giblets, dumping a bunch more money into the car right away has a very low Wife Acceptance Factor.

So I'd like opinions on a relatively cheap (substantially under $400) radiator that will fit in the stock mount location without any fabrication, does a good job cooling a stock N/A (which will never have anything more radical than maybe a mild streetport when I finish my rebuild next year) and is solid/reliable.

Of course, I'm most interested in what you've actually purchased, installed, and run.

Thanks!

RotaryRocket88

iTrader: (7)

Corksport has an aluminum replacement for $300. It will fit with almost no work on the stock shroud too. They also have a modified shroud for $80 if you're not using the stock snorkel & air box.

http://corksport.com/store/category/...rx-Engine.html

Turbo II Rotor

iTrader: (2)

3rd down, and 4th up from the bottom.

http://corksport.com/store/category/...rx-Engine.html

throughthewire

The consensus so far is CorkSport FTW.

But when I was having a look at what was available earlier, I noticed that CorkSport has a single-pass aluminum Koyo radiator for $364 - the same one that Mazdatrix sells for $449?! And Racing Beat lists it for $330!

Since I'm going to get raped on shipping in any case, is it worth it to spring for $30 more towards the Koyo from Racing Beat rather than CorkSport's $299 'house brand' aluminum rad?

Thanks!

SDrotary-FC

corksport i got the shroud as well but you can trim your old one (stay away from junkyard ones)

i had the koyo (its smaller for sure but needs a lil fab) i think the corksport one is the best

old koyo


new corksport

throughthewire

I have ordered the Corksport - thanks to all for your advice!

SDrotary-FC

if you have a S4 the bottom sensor wont fit, just wire the 2 wires toghter.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

rather then make a new thread, i figure since he is done with the thread i might as well thread jack.

I am also in need of a new radaitor BUT i am also basically broke and need the cheapest one i can find. I hav looked around but they all seem to be $300+.

I see the FD rads are cheap, i take it they won't fit in the FC though?

Any ideas for a cheap replacement? no junk yards around here to pull one.

SDrotary-FC

$160 for one (not alum) http://www.radiatorbarn.com/search.php?product=radiator

ive had good luck with these guys (free shipping too)

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

that about the best deal i have found yet that is for sure, though i was hoping for even cheaper (i know beggers can't be chosers). Just broke as snot and the car is acting up again so not sure how much it is going to cost to fix it this time...

The joys of driving (well at least for 1 day anyways) an RX7 i guess... lol

arghx

iTrader: (3)

I just got a brass one from Advance Auto Parts. The only problem was that the mounting holes didn't fully line up, so I had to dremel them out a bit. I never had any overheating problems though.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

how much was it?

dot_txt

iTrader: (1)

I found a used radiator for my S5 from http://car-part.com/ . It was a used one but it still runs fine. 80$

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

thats an idea, i had just enver really liked the idea of getting something like that which is easy to get damaged in shipping. I will look into it.

clokker

iTrader: (2)

I swapped my original for an all metal, drop-in replacement unit from a radiator shop for @$150.
It's been fine on my stock S5...I'd like to have gotten a better unit but the money wasn't there at the time.

In my experience, a metal rad doesn't suffer the catastrophic type failure that the composite (plastic end tank/metal matrix) types do.

arghx

iTrader: (3)

I want to say the Advance Auto radiator was like $150? That was spring 2007

throughthewire

Actually, they are aware that this was a problem and will call you to determine if you have an S4 with intact emissions—and will make sure that the sensor location is drilled and tapped correctly.

SDrotary-FC

nice. yea i was the first S4 one and told them about this. post some pics when you get it in.

throughthewire

20 year old plastic radiator tanks = potential catastrophic failure:




Corksport radiator with fitting for the S4 aux sensor:



Sensor installed (it wasn't flush on the stocker either; I assume they just aren't meant to screw in all the way):



More pix after I install it in the car this weekend...

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

what is that sensor for?

My car had the radiator replaced at some point and it doesn't have that sensor, just the wires hanging down there. I had always woundered what those were for.

SDrotary-FC

It's the water temperature switch on th bottom left of the radiator. It is emissions related in that it effects the Relief solenoid which in turn effects the ACV operation.

I think at something like 90*F the switch makes and completes a circuit to let the ECU know the water temp is up. If you jumper the two bullet connectors that go to that switch you make the circuit. Seeing as how the water temp is almost always over nintey degrees, you could do that jumper and never miss the switch.