I need to replace my radiator so im trying to figure out my options. Should i buy a new stock radiator or an aluminum radiator...? Also if i get an aluminum can i hook up my stock fan and shroud or do i have to get an e-fan???

Another thing: when i start up my car it sputters a bit and has a faint coolant smell. I know i have an exhaust leak due to bad gasket where headers connect to pre-silencer and when it sputters i notices a bit of water sputtering out a bit. Then when car warms up a bit the sputtering stops and idles normal. Is this due to bad radiator or is it something internal like the coolant seals????

thanks in advance...

 

Most aftermarket rads have thicker cores, so the stock shroud will no longer fit.
Corksport makes a custom shroud (for their radiators) to allow use of the thermoclutch fan.

The shroud issue is probably why most people opt for the electric fan "upgrade".

How does (did?) your stock rad and fan work?
If it kept temps within a consistently acceptable range, moving up to a bigger alloy unit isn't going to make a tinker's damn worth of difference.
A stock replacement rad- preferably all metal- is certainly the cheapest and easiest path, assuming that all was well before.

If better cooling performance is needed or if you're simply looking to upgrade the aesthetics of the bay, an aluminum radiator and an e-fan are certainly a popular option but more work to implement well.

 

Thicker core rads can be used with the stock fan/shroud. The shroud just needs some minor modifications to allow clearance on the fan. Corksprt explains how/where to cut the shroud when mounting their larger radiator. They even have a rough template posted online. Does it look gorgeous? Not really, but it can be done. If you're savvy enough, you could even make something that would cover the hole you trimmed a bit..

Clokkers explanatation of "if it works no need to upgrade" is a good point. If a stock rad cooled you just fine, no need for the extra hassle.