2G Best OEM replacement radiator

[ishnish]

So guys, I'm trying to get an oem replacement radiator for my car because my end tanks are starting to fail by the looks of it. Been on AutoZone website, O'Reilly's, and Rock Auto. There are so many different brands (Murray, Duralast, OSC, Denso, Spectra) of OE replacement radiators.. anyone know a good brand or links to good replacements?

Thank you

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Alot of people just go to an aluminum one now when they replace it, its not alot more and will tend to last alot longer then oem plastic units

Some have been fine with ebay ones, i use mishimoto and its been great for many years now so certainly look at the alloy rads as part of a better replscement item

 

[ishnish]

Alot of people just go to an aluminum one now when they replace it, its not alot more and will tend to last alot longer then oem plastic units

Some have been fine with ebay ones, i use mishimoto and its been great for many years now so certainly look at the alloy rads as part of a better replscement item

I've read that our OEM units perform a lot better than really most of the aftermarket aluminum radiators. And when I can get them for under $70ish I see no reason to upgrade even if it means replacing every few years. I mean unless I get a dramatic difference in cooling performance, only then will I justify spending the extra dough for them. I think most of the radiators that are great performers are like $300 and up. I guess it'd be an easy decision if I didn't damage the fins so much when replacing items in the bay when working on the car but because they're so temperamental, I feel like I'd rather replace a cheap part that performs well than an expensive part that performs marginally better?

 

[Mello]

I would choose by best price from the parts stores choices. A lot of times they are the same parts & rebranded by the stores.

 

[luv2rallye]

1-800-RADIATOR will get a new one to your door within 1 hr with lifetime warranty at the best price you'll find. I've used them and am quite happy.

 

[dalesmitsu]

I do remember many years ago many people recommended place called radiatorbarn prices is around $100-$200 soild steel oem radiators for 2gnt and turbo'd.

If this place is still around I would check them out. I believe their oem radiators are spectre could be wrong.

 

[TehRiceBandit]

I use Denso radiators from rockauto. My last DSM saw a few track days with one and it performed well.

The OE spec radiators typically last more than 100,000 miles. Most people will struggle to put that kind of mileage on these cars

 

[Doubleot]

I just Installed an ebay aluminum radiator, seems to be fine and looks great, my dsm is far from a DD it's gotten less than 2k miles in about 6ish years

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Let me put this out there....If you have a high heat engine bay, such as mine was before I heat wrapped and turbo blanketed everything, the Mitsumoto and Mitsumoto X both like to get heat soaked easier because they were aluminum. I think I would have been fine with a replacement aftermarket of my choice, but those radiators did work well when I got the underhood RADIANT heat under control. Ashish, I think a regular stock replacement of your choice would work out fine and keep the stock fans if you still can.
Marty

 

[ishnish]

1-800-RADIATOR will get a new one to your door within 1 hr with lifetime warranty at the best price you'll find. I've used them and am quite happy.

Definitely will remember this for next time! I was sort of in a time crunch at the time and didn't really get many replies so I had to order already. But wow thank you for this suggestion that's amazing!

I use Denso radiators from rockauto. My last DSM saw a few track days with one and it performed well.

The OE spec radiators typically last more than 100,000 miles. Most people will struggle to put that kind of mileage on these cars

I ended up ordering the Denso unit because I've actually had good experience with Denso products. Thank you for some feedback though. It helps knowing I ended up getting a radiator that ironically is the only brand a user on here actually had experience with. It's a good sign I hope.

Let me put this out there....If you have a high heat engine bay, such as mine was before I heat wrapped and turbo blanketed everything, the Mitsumoto and Mitsumoto X both like to get heat soaked easier because they were aluminum. I think I would have been fine with a replacement aftermarket of my choice, but those radiators did work well when I got the underhood RADIANT heat under control. Ashish, I think a regular stock replacement of your choice would work out fine and keep the stock fans if you still can.
Marty

This is exactly why I went OEM. Something just told me I'd end up having heat soak issues with aluminum radiators. I still have my stock fans too and will be adding a few extra pieces to help with cooling that I'm excited about. Thank you Marty!

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

No problem man, just wanted that information out there for everyone to be able to decide what is best for their application! My overheating problems where mostly from a heat soaked radiator when running E85 at 12:1 afr's, so stuff was definitely getting hot!

 

[Mauispyder]

So you happy with that denso unit?

 

[Detail]

I've never heard of heat soaking the aluminum radiators vs running an oem like one.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Aluminum definitely omits more heat than plastic. I've burned my finger tips on an aluminum radiator after a few minutes of run time while plastic ones would be touchable.

With this said, I would still opt for the aluminum rads. I have a deep hatred for plastic radiators. Some of the cars I owned needed multiple replacements because the plastic tanks separate from the housing. I much prefer something sealed with welds than something sealed with glue or aluminum crimps over plastic.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

In MY case, I had A LOT of underhood high temps. Aluminum soaked that heat up and transfered it to the coolant, actually making it hotter. Turning the AFRs back, to richen up my mix, helped with those underhood temps and then the aluminum radiator worked great. I was just running too lean, turning the exhaust red after a pull. That heat went right INTO the radiator.
Now, with proper tuning, there are no high heat problems and I suggest the Champion brand HERE for 2g's or HERE for 1g's, like mine.
It is at least an optional brand that some don't know about. I have them in 2 of my 1g's.
Marty

 

[chrysler kid]

aluminum radiators will double the coolant in the radiator and reducd the amount of air going through it, causing the cooling system to be less effective. the factory thin core radiator moves air flow and heat far more quickly and effectively