how much do you all think a new radiator for my 1988 rx7 gxl??? yesterday there were these dips in the road and my girlfriend kind of dipped into those dips a bit hard and something down there bent and it opened my radiator a tad bit. i dont know weither to seal it or buy a brand new one, somebody help me please?? haha

 

No question, buy a new radiator. I had the radiator rupture on my '88 GXL and before I could get to the curb, the engine was ruined. I saw a small puff of white come out of the headlight housing and immediately shut down & coasted to the roadside. Too late. Don't play around with overheating.
When I got my '87 TII running again, I couldn't keep it below 75% of the heat scale - way too hot to chance it, so I couldn't drive. I looked into everything I could think of and ended up taking the radiator to a specialty shop. The guy showed me it was mostly plugged and offered a replacement for a couple of hundred installed.
Since then, I haven't seen the heat go above 1/2 on a hot day and mostly stays down at 1/4.

Since the rotary is so vulnerable to heat damage, I think it is always worth the cost for a new radiator. Any radiator - even well maintained - is going to be crud filled after almost 20 years. And even if you're only looking at some damage, I would still replace. A few hundred can save you replacing the engine.

- k -

 

I have to agree. Get a new one. Its not worth the possible consequences

 

but how much would be your estimated amount for a brand new one weither its top of the line or stock???

 

You might as well upgrade. Upgraded radiators are cheaper then brand new stock ones. Looking at 350+. Or..you could junk yard a used one as long as you know it works properly.

 

If you want to upgrade, I'd reccomend a koyo.