I'm a guinea pig for cheap race radiator (with short how to)
 

I went ahead and bought the race radiator from here:

http://www.radiatorworld.com/radiato...px?carno=15107

for $279 shipped and got it the second day very well packaged. I've read about people buying the brass and copper one and the one-row aluminum one but I guess I'm the first to risk buying the race version.

First impressions: It's HUGE (Dimension: 12 1/2 x 24 3/4 x 2 1/16) and extremely lightweight with very good quality welds and overall contruction.

I'm in the process (or pain) of installing it, and I'm a first timer doing this. Here's my quick guide:

1. Start from the top and remove the airbox, intercooler, ducting, etc to expose the rad

2. Remove fan assembly (had to carefully bend the ac lines to clear the ac "can")

3. Remove stock rad

Now, the new one is so big it won't fit from the top so:

4. Remove undepanel and swaybar mounts

5. I lowered the rad from the top then crawled under the car to be able to position it correctly.

6. I had to loosen all ac evaporator brackets because this rad pushes everything farther down

7. After a good wrestling match with it and a few bent fins I got it to fit in the stock mounting points.

8. Put everything back together...


NOTE 1: Sorry i didn't take any pics!!

NOTE 2: I haven't finished the install, I'm in the processs of putting everything back together, I'll update once I'm finished to let you know how it went. Just by looking at it I think my M2 airbox won't fit because the rad doesn't leave as big an opening on the sides as the stock one. I don't see any issues fitting everything else because contrary to what I've seen about the Koyo pushing stuff up this rad moves things DOWN. I will need longer bolts for the ac evap brackets cuz the stock ones won't reach though...

Damian got his one from here as well I think

just putting this out there to people looking for a good fitment rad, seems like the fluidyne is the best fit on a FD(basically no mods at all needed, just drops right in) and the koyo seems to be one of the hardest to get to fit right (my own experience putting a koyo in my old FD).

Hey neit_jnf,

I'll be using that same radiator as well. However, if you are using an SMIC, you may have to lower the radiator a little more for clearance. I had already planned to do that for my install.

I'm using M2 large SMIC, I'll test fit everything before filling with Evans but it looks like it sits at the same height but pushes the ac condensor way down... I'm at work so once I get home this afternoon I'll update about final fit.

Hey, good find! I may be interested in one of those too.

I'll see how fitment is with your M2 large, since I have a CWR SMIC that I need to put in.

It's installed!!! And everything fits!!

Required bending the swaybar mounts radiator brackets (see pic) to accomodate enormous size.

Also required removing one bracket in each side of the ac condenser but the remaining 2 holds it tightly in place. There's zero space between ac condenser and rad

From the top, the only thing that sits higher is the IC duct and the front most part of the M2 airbox but just about 1/4" higher so it doesn't bother anything...

My fear of the M2 box not fitting did not come true!! everything is back in their respective places, I'm happy! :bigthumb:

Now... It wasn't easy, required some wrestling, massaging, knuckle busting, etc until I figured out what I needed to do to make it drop in place.

I refilled it and burped but need to do some ducting... :D

first pic: My extremely messy work area ;) , notice the unpainted CF/FG 99spec spoiler in the upper left corner

second: old stock rad, looks like an animal died there! notice the busted upper neck

third: front view of ac condenser and new rad's lack of clearance

fourth: underside view gives you an idea of size, ac condenser clearance and swaybar mount bending

is this radiator that much of an advantage over the koyo or fluidyne?

slightly bigger than koyo, so it holds more coolant

only costs $279 shipped...

fits well

It cools better or worse?? I don't know...

If its bigger, (also depends on how well it flows air, I suppose) and made of a like material, it should cool just as well as the Koyo/Fluidyne right?

neit_jfn and Mahjik, would you consider this to be a good rad for a V-mount set-up?

either the race version or the "normal" size?

Freaking A! That's a huge ass radiator.

I'm going to be ordering this one Monday for my FMIC to replace the stock radiator. I'll post before and after temperatures.

I wish I had gone with a different radiator. :( Can't get it to fit with my greddy FMIC.

any rad is good for a vmount - even the stock one. thicker might not be better for a vmount since it is such a pain in the ass to get the vmount stuff to fit properly. people get good temps with the stock rad in a vmount setup.

Funny, I thought I was the guinea pig?! In any case, I've just recently placed the CSF radiator (radiator world) in my 93' and I'm SO happy I did so!

I did some lapping last weekend at The Streets of Willow Springs and can proclaim the test a success. I ran three, 30 minute sessions and didn't see my water temp gauge ever hit 210 degrees (came close, 200-205). I would definitely recommend this radiator.

~Mike

did you go with the race version, medium or stock replacement?

Maybe I better go with the medium and have the best of both worlds...

I purchased the race version.

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that they increased the price on the race version. :(

http://www.radiatorworld.com/radiato...px?carno=15108

Damn $350!!!??? Now nobody will buy it and will go Koyo instead... Their loss

The $214-shipped rad is still a good deal, tho.

It's all aluminum, has a slightly thicker core than the stocker, and fits with no issues.

anyone have any experience with the medium sized, one row aluminum race radiator? the one for $214 shipped?

Yep, at that price now, I will contemplate getting a Koyo instead.

at that price i dont think anyone will not buy the koyo ;)

you'll have to search but there's a few here that have tried the copper and brass stock replacement as well as the upgraded one-row aluminum.

they pretty much fit perfectly and serve their purpose well.