There are alot of brands; ARC, Koyo, Knight Sports, Mazdaspeed, Shane Racing (srx7.com), Rotary Performance..........with all the brands out there today, how do you know which one is the best buy? What determines the cooling capability of the radiator? I know that number of rows has something to do with it. Knight Sports has a 4-row (like $2,600 though). Is it the number of fins also? Help me out with this cause I'm going to build my own V-mount setup. I'm also having the intercooler custom made, probably out of an Apexi core. I like the idea of the V-mount, especially here in Texas. I just can't see paying close to $3000 for it. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

Best aftermarket radiator? Anything without plastic end tanks! They're all good aftermarket radiators, but price and fittament are the only real factors in determining what's best IMO.

 

I have the Koyo radiator that Rotary Performance carries. It fit great and installation was simple. I'd recommend it, and also the aluminum AST that RP sells is high quality.

 

Don't bother paying the mark-up on a "vendor" brand. Just get a Koyo or Fluidyne. They are both very good. Some people have experienced slight fitment problems with the Koyo but in your case, probably won't be an issue. Mazdamotorsports also makes a competetion radiator that some of the vendors sell - expensive.

Another radiator is the PWR, which I believe is from an Australian company. They are not known in the US yet but seems to be a good product.

Whatever you do, don't buy one of the Japanese brand radiators -- you are getting killed by the transfer here. Hmm, over $1000 for an ARC radiator? It's no better than a Fluidyne or Koyo.

 

One more option (acutally 3) made by CSF, available through www.radiatorexpress.com: CSF is a LARGE manufacturer, and from what I was told builds their own stuff, not just re-branded. Made in Asia, somewhere.

1. All copper and brass, 2 row, painted black,
$175.00. (If it fits and works well this is a screaming deal. It has lifetime warranty against defects.)

2. 1 row aluminum, available in Nov, $285.00.

3. 2 row aluminum, available in Nov, $404.00

I'm taking delivery of the copper and brass unit today, I'll chime in on the fit and finish. There's no question there's a weight penalty on the copper and brass vs. aluminum, but I understand that copper and brass is actually MORE efficient than aluminum at transferring heat.

 

I agree w/ what the other guys have said.

Ron, please post your results w/ the radiator. You are correct about the weight disadvantage w/ a copper and brass radiator as well as the advantage regarding the heat transfer. I am interested to see what your findings are.

 

Is the cooling from a 2-row that much more noticable than a single row? How many degrees cooler are were talking? 10? 30? Is number of rows the same when considering an intercooler? I think RE Amemiyas white super g has a two row intercooler.

 

I have yet to use one of their rads yet but if it's anything like their IC's I'll be very happy. I have a PWR FMIC (they're just up the road from me) and I am VERY happy with it. Intake temps never get more than about 4 degrees above ambient even at 14psi when we were tuning it. They consistently outflow JDM IC's in tests.

Oddly, even after 30mins of full throttle blasting on a 30degree day, my water temps didn't crack 95degrees and my radiator is dead stock. Wierd isnt it?

-pete

 

just get a koyo or fluidyine =P

they're relatively cheap and very effective

 

The koyo i installed and it wasnt that bad. Just flip the brakets thats all i did.