stock rad vs aluminum rad

[joshs1074]

hey i was wondering how many of you guys are running stock radiators? i have to replace mine and was wondering if i should go to a aluminum. are they worth the extra money, or are they more for show? i know they are better for cooling but how much?

 

[Mitsu RacerX]

The stock radiator will do fine but most people upgrade to the Aluminum rad becuase they depress heat quicker and some people have said that their cars run cooler with the Aluminum radiators.

Only problem I had with the 90/91 radiators was when it got hot I had one break at the neck becuase of it being old.

 

[Mr PopUps]

Stock is Al, but with some kind of plastic composite tanks. I tried getting one repaired once and the guy said dont mess with it. Running stock or full aftermarket Al is really a matter of money and preference.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

If you need a new one and you have the money, get an aluminum radiator. If you don't need a new one, just buy a slimfan that flows 1200cfm.

 

[bagged420a]

Unless your having heating issues there's no reason to go al

 

[frankenstein406]

not hijacking the thread but i need a new one to is it worth it to spend the extra dough for a mosimoto i think one? its like 70 dollar difference i believe from new oem to aftermarket

 

[fergulus]

I personally bought the Koyo aluminum radiator, and I couldn't be happier with the cooling effects. The only issue that I have with that specific radiator is that the drain plug is aluminum as well, it stripped out the first use, and nobody sells a bolt that has the same thread! I have to use crush washers to get it to seal properly, but the stock fans bolt right up.

If you have a stock setup, I would NOT recommend buying slim fans. I went that route with Flex-a-Lite shrouded fans, and they pull alot less air than the stockers.

 

[JWoodley]

You can put the stock fans back on an aftermarket radiator. Don't let the slimline fans scare you, although unless you get some high flowing ones you'll be in mess. PM sent.

 

[ApexVIII]

i run an aftermarket one,

the thicker core lets it hold more water and has more time to dissipate the heat than the stock core does

 

[lacroixdp]

I've had 4 DSM's and have never needed to upgrade to an AL radiator. The stock one has done just fine, in conjunction with the stock fans. It seems people run into problems when they install sub-par slimline fans with no shrouding.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

If you have a stock setup, I would NOT recommend buying slim fans. I went that route with Flex-a-Lite shrouded fans, and they pull alot less air than the stockers.

That's what happens when you don't do any research and buy the cheapest you can find. Not all slimline fans are created equal.

 

[PIMking]

I have two slim fans and both flow over 1200 cfm and no cooling problems my way on a stock radiator.

 

[rock1t]

Anyone realized that our radiators are aluminum? Just wondering before this gets out of control. The aftermarket radiators have a bigger core size over all on them compared to the stock 'aluminum' ones.

 

[PIMking]

Yes, But the endtanks are plastic.

 

[fergulus]

That's what happens when you don't do any research and buy the cheapest you can find. Not all slimline fans are created equal.

You must be out of your mind, because Flex-a-lite shrouded fans were touted as some of the best fans you can get, and they are the MOST expensive. I also didnt say that they didnt flow alot of air, because they do, and they keep my coolant temps at a perfect 196* while cruising, and 206* while driving hard. All I said was that the stock fans are an outstanding fan to begin with if you do not have space constraints (which I most assuredly do).

As far as people talking about aluminum radiators, we are talking about completely welded radiators, not with crimped on plastic endtanks that crack and fail after years of abuse from heating and cooling.

 

[z24frank]

Yes its worth the money so you dont have to replace it again in a few years.

 

[pboglio]

I'm running a Fluidyne radiator which is a bit thicker than stock but not as thick as the Koyo style aluminum rads. I never saw an ounce of cooling improvement with it. Better ducting and a good high speed fan like Spal are what makes the diffference. Pretty much a cosmetic mod.

 

[joshs1074]

sorry i was gone for a while thanks for all of your guys help. i guess the general consensus is they are a little better for cooling and more durable.if you have the money. i guess i will have to decide weather i want to spend the money on the rad or put it towards my smim.
again thanks

 

[AlaskanDsm]

I recently installed a stock replacement mishimoto al radiator and I had to modify my radiator mounts to hold it in place properly so that it didn't rub on the AC condenser bolts or anything else. Works.. not unhappy about it. keeps my car mostly cool with no working fans at the moment... not driving it much right now becasue of that.

 

[95420A]

I got my Mishimoto aluminum radiator for a pretty decent price. The install wasn't difficult and I really like the look and performance of it.

 

[daren_p]

I'm running a Fluidyne radiator which is a bit thicker than stock but not as thick as the Koyo style aluminum rads. I never saw an ounce of cooling improvement with it. Better ducting and a good high speed fan like Spal are what makes the diffference. Pretty much a cosmetic mod.

I would have to agree, the guys that notice a huge improvement from just swapping a rad probably had issues with the old rad as a properly functioning stocker should perform basically the same (ie aftermarket may cool abit better but not talking night & day difference). The nice part about an aftermarket all aluminum rad is their normally larger to hold more coolent, which is a nice plus (& can only help with cooling) & I think most importantly is you never have to worry about a plastic end tank failing again.

These results are when mated with a fairly dense FMIC core & still running AC (so AC condensor core installed as well).

 

[Mr PopUps]

Anyone realized that our radiators are aluminum? Just wandering before this gets out of control. The aftermarket radiators have a bigger core size over all on them compared to the stock 'aluminum' ones.

Yes, But the endtanks are plastic.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/342073-stock-rad-vs-aluminum-rad.html#post151918344 Post #3 above....

 

[Jafro]

Should you go Aluminum? Yes. All plastic end-tanked radiators will degrade and crack up, leaking after years pass. If you intend to keep this car, it's worth the extra bux to prevent from spending that money again later. I've broken 3 factory radiators prior to upgrading. Always at the top coolant neck for me. Never again. Plastic-tanked radiators are crap.

I have a Koyo. It's thicker to the point where I can't use the FAL dual-fan setup with a Mitsubishi turbo on a 2g. With this radiator, my aftermarket fan (I now only have 1) burned out and I didn't even notice for a year and a half. Temps stayed below 215 at the track (the factory temp gauge doesn't budge until you hit 230). I never overheated or even ran hot once (highway driving, AC on, hot summer, drag strip, etc...) until I replaced it with a working fan and accidently wired it in blowing forward. Oops.

 

[joshs1074]

really, thats impressive. i think i will definately go with an al rad. i intend on keeping this car for a very long time. i have sold 4 others and have regretted it, and i have put more work into this one than the others.

 

[rw87tt]

Koyo aluminum here and glad. Stock fans bolted up perfect.