Any opinions? since i've decided to go FMIC figured upgrade the cooling...

 

Koyo is thicker, but Fluidyne is cheaper. That begs the question of why the thinner one costs more. I've heard that the Fluidyne is better.

The major difference between the two is getting it in the car. The Koyo takes more work to get it in the stock location since it's so thick. Since you're doing a FMIC, fitment shouldn't be an issue since you won't be able to use the stock radiator location anyway.

I bought a Fluidyne but haven't installed it yet.

 

Where is a fluidyne cheaper?

 

I think it was just a typo, but the Fluidyne is more than the Koyo. But the Koyo is .5" thicker.. I went with a Fluidyne because of the fitment issue, as well as them having a more reputable name. The radiator was a work of art.. I did have to trim the edge of the stock fan surround a tiny bit to allow room for the hose+clamp.

Matt
93 touring

 

Have any of you looked into SR Ultimate radiator? They dropped their price to $500( I know thats still $100+ more). They claim to be more than 100% thicker/bigger than stock at 2.1"
How thick are the Fluidyne and Koyo's?

 

Oops. The Fluidyne is more expensive.

 

Koyo is 2" think
Fluidyne is 1.5" thick

 

fluidyne has better fitment

1FAST7

 

I can't speak for this particular model of Koyo, but in general they make very good radiators and have been making radiators for quite a few years. They have made a few for OEMs.

I purchased the Fluidyne and was very impressed by the quality of the radiator. I have seen quite a bit their other aftermarket stuff (primarily Cu-Br) and it is not very good at all. I was wondering if they outsourced the production of the all aluminum units.

I don't think that I would go with the Koyo. The Fluidyne provides enough cooling capacity (at least for those 90 deg summer days in stop and go traffic) and is smaller...therefore should weight less. If will hold less coolant too = addition weight savings over the Koyo. If you are a freak about adding weight to your car, I would go with the Fluidyne.

 

To 3rdGenLuv,

I'd almost be willing to bet you that the SR Ultimate Radiator is a KOYO.

 

I want an answer to the question "Is the half inch extra really worth the pain to get it installed?"

I just need to know if the koyo is really needed for anything, otherwise the Fluidyne is the definite choice

 

With a FMIC there will be no fitment problems. So get the KOYO it's thicker and cheaper. Koyo makes tons of OEM radiators and have an excellent record in japan.

 

If your getting the Greddy FMIC you might have fitment problems with the KOYO rad neck hitting the IC pipe...I know people who have had this problem thas why I didnt get the KOYO

 

Fluidyne a more reputable name than KOYO? Oh my god ... WHERE?!]

Fitment this, fitment that. Get what's best (KOYO), grow some *****, and put the thing in there. I had to make brackets out of aluminum to get it to fit with my BLITZ FMIC ... big fish deal. Actually, I don't care which one you get ... I'm just tired of hearing "Boo hoo, fitment issues."

 

AHAHAHAHAHAH DK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kinda agree with you on that one. To many people are so scared to work on their cars. That's why you have a drill, dremmel and screwdrives ahahahahahahaha

 

I have a Greddy front mount and the Koyo Rad. It is tight but it fits just fine and I have seen not cooling problems after moving the rad.

 

For those not inclined towards metal working, fitment is a big issue. When I work on my car in the carport and have to drive it to work tomorrow, I care a lot about how things go in. Not whining, but there are circumstances.

It depends heavily on application. FDs are hot. Stock radiators suck. If you take your car on the track A LOT, then the Koyo might be better. There's more surface area for heat transfer to the air by being thicker, but the pressure increase of forcing the air down channels that long could cause less air to pass through. It's a trade off of heat transfer vs. rising pressure, and I don't know of anyone who's done real comparisons. If you're doing normal street driving with occasional track time, Fluidyne is likely better.

 

Well dang, someone out there should do real comparisons with hard data, so we can end this post for good and archive it !!

 

My Apexi radiator should be coming here any day now. We'll see how good this radiator is.

 

I don't remember having to alter anything when installing my fluidyne. The radiator fit perfect, and all components went back together without any grief. I have to agree that the fluidyne is quite a work of art. It's too bad that you never get to see it when you have a FMIC.

2" is pretty thick, and there would be no advantage over the 1.5" in normal street driving, and occasional autoxing. Infact, 2" would require more energy to cool the coolant at low speeds due to the increased surface area and denser core. I think that for most of us, 1.5" is just fine, though some woman may argue this.

 

Guys,
I was wondering if the stock bumper comes into play? Is the airflow restriction enough to cause problems?
I have a knightsport bumper which i bought for that exact same reason. would i get away with installing radiator and fmic? fitment i mean...does it make it easier? Seems there is more space and bigger opening than stock!
just a slight detail i didnt think about before

 

I was able to get the Fluidyne for $425 shipped. I've also found a place that has the Koyo for only $350 (dunno how much shipping is).

Most FMICs require some bumper trimming anyway, so maybe you will have to trim it. I dont have a knightsports front bumper, so I wouldnt really know. But u can definitely get and FMIC in there with a radiator. Some FMICs allow the radiator to stay in the stock position which would make things easier, while some FMICs would require the radiator to go perpendicular to the ground. Hope that helped.

 

yep

 

nameless,
my geometry is very rusty but isnt perpendicular the stock mounted position? Its been a while since I've been under the hood but I could swear my radiator is not mounted flat nor vertically.
I should go back to school what the hell does perpendicular mean?????

 

The stock location of the radiator at a 45 degree angle. Some FMICs have you move it to vertical.