Well i had posted a couple times asking about the Cx racing radiator on ebay, and everytime not one comment. I then basically just said fu#* it i will just give it a shot.
I paid about 150 shipped. When i recieved it there was no line for the ast which i had knew, the fans did not come close to fitting which i figured. I would say if you cant weld just buy a koyo or something with better filliment. I just started off by chopping off all the tabs for the fan and made my own welded on no prob.

I fogot to add i was making this for a v mount application. I then started fabbin my new end tank and welding off the bottom tank. I would also note that the aluminium was of a lower grade, not a surprise but still welds up just fine. I added a coolent drain plug and a couple of other things.

I will be starting my car in the next week to two weeks and will let everyone know what the results are. i cant see anything to major going wrong. I am hoping everything will go well, cuz i would like to fab and sell these for v mount apps for much cheaper than the koyo versions. I will try to post some pics of the finished product today.
ps i know my spelling and run on sentinces are bad but dont reflect on my fabrication skills ha

 

 

 

You can buy an all metal unit from radiatorworld.com for $200 or so.

 

Those welds make me want to puke.

Koyos are tough to beat for the money for proven performance, but good luck anyway.

 

thanks for the insult real nice, it is low grade aluminum and has lots of black **** coming up when you weld it. So dont knock it before you try it.

 

I know that the koyos are proven that is the whole point of trying this

 

why would you buy a questionable radiator, with a visible lacks of craftsmanship, just to "try" it???

Is your next plan on the list to "try" a rebuild?

I know there's that whole "ebay intercooler" thread going on at the same time, but... why? You can get a good condition used Fluiding or Koyo for about the same as what you paid for an ebay item that is frightening looking.


And don't take the insult to the product personally (unless YOU did the welding).

 

no my plans are not to rebuild, I have eyes to watch coolent temps if that is a problem which i highly doubt. This is just like the age old ebay intercooler deal and yes i have run a ebay intercooler for a year and it does work great. As far as asthetics that has nothing to do with if it leaks or functions. I have a friend that has run a cx racing radiatior on his sr20 for quite some time, yes i know its not a rotory but he has had no problems. If there is anyone that can attest to blowing a motor on one of these radiators or having problems with it then i would love to know now but i never got any feedback.

If i could have found a koyo for that cheap than i would have bought it. I just think this is one of those things that people say oh yeah its from ebay it must not be right. Well i guess if i blow my engine then your right but if not then i feel like it was a good thing for me. I did do some welding as it said in the first post, honestly i dont see how it looks "frightining"

 

like the title says thought it is a sin to use anything from ebay according to many members here, and i figured i would catch some flack oh well though.

 

Somebody has try new stuff out. I just learned how harsh some of the guys on here are about 'ebay' parts.

I came from the dsm world, where the goal was going fast on a budget. I bet you will be happy with it, and look foward to hearing the results.

 

In your situation there's nothing wrong with trying it. Good luck to you.
But if it's your intention to buy these and modify them for re-sale, then I think your in for alot of tough questions. IMO, paying for additional modifications to one of those is like putting a $500 saddle on a $50 horse.

 

I love a good analogy.

 

Yes budget and reliability are the name of the game. Especially with this economy bs.

As for your analogy it probly cost me 15 dollors worth of sheet metal, welding rod, and of coarse my time welding. I hardly see how your analogy pertains to this.

 

thats still far cheaper than even a unmodified koyo so

 

The Rx7 is not a car where the whole "going fast on 100 dollars" works all that well. In fact most fast, mid to higher end sports are not like that.

Here is the rub: Koyo radiators have been proven over and over and over and over again to work without failing or taking a ****, fins falling off or without "extra reinforcing" and "fitting". Most ebay stuff needs it because it was made in some factory where the people don't really give a damn where their products end up because there is no after support.

People like solutions that have been proven to work, and are made for their cars.

Comparing just local fabricators out here, those welds don't look that great. Take it as an insult or constructive criticism. It's your choice.

The whole sob story of "budget" racer is cool if you are toying around with a civic, miata, DSM, or some cheap throwaway car (even some of those guys build their cars right, and time to build reliable horsepower). Building and modifying a 2nd or 3rd gen turbo Rx7 is an expensive, HOBBY (I.E: Not required to conduct everyday life, and a luxury). So most likely, people who are building these cars right, have the money and will pay for a quality, proven part regardless of country or who made it.

If you don't agree with what i said, that's great, and not my problem. Do whatever you need/want to do.

 

Well you can think what you want but i am well aware of the cost of keeping my fd running happy. I wouldnt talk **** about someone elses welds unless you think you can do a better job. If you dont like my thread then stop reading it. ha whatever someone pooped in your cheerios.

 

**** it.

 

Newbsauce knows more then you ever will, don't argue with him, you'll never be correct.

 

You're doing alright my friend. It's always impressive to see someone who has the skills and vigor to jump out there and do their own modification. Good eye !


later

 

My analogy works because it refers to the people who'd be paying you to do the modifications, not to the radiator your screwing with. I agreed that it was OK to experiment on your own dime, but makes no sense for anyone to be your customer.

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with what your doing but I don't mind paying the extra for brand name stuff. If people keep going with these ebay brands, I think the known brands will start moving further and further away from FDs.

At this point, it almost seems like we are paying extra for name and to show that there is still a market for aftermarket FD parts. This is not such a bad thing when buying automotive parts. At least you know that when buying from a reputable name brand, you probably won't get crap. You never hear about Greddy parts being crap, only that they are expensive. To me, thats not a bad deal. I don't think that all ebay brands are bad. XS ICs seem to last when not boosting to heavily but I would much rather support the brands with a reputation to uphold.

 

Oh no! He didn't buy a Koyo from GLORIOUS NIPPON! lets rail him!

 

I don't care how dirty that aluminum was... there is some welding skill lackage.

 

Oh no he didnt buy a koyo that is priceless ha. Well i cant say that everyone will always like what you do oh well. As far as the welding, 98% of the time all i weld is stainless. I was rushing thought this whole thing because my company has been going though lay offs and i thought i waas going to get the axe, so every break i hauled *** trying to get it done cuz i dont have a tig at home. Turns out i wasnt on the **** list ha so all that rush for nuthing oh well at least i still have a job!!

I guess i just dont understand why people that have such a love for rx7s talk so much **** to there fellow seveners. Cant we all just get allong???? I guess i was asking for it with my title.

I guess there is not a whole lot else to say, but ill post my results when i can drive my car, friggin montana ha.

thanks for all the comments good or bad it has been interesting