kind of a noob question.....I did a search for "radiator" info and still didnt find exactly what info I was looking for so I am starting this post. (sorry if it has been covered already)
I want to know who makes some of the best aftermarket radiators for my KA (I have a 91 coupe) I see Koyo all over this forum so is Koyo the best?
Also, I am only interested in a radiator upgrade for now (not ready to ditch my clutch fan and sfroud for electrics just yet) I was wondering what "size" performance radiator is the best fit when installed with my stock fan shroud? I have heard horror stories of fan shrounds getting chewed up by the clutch fan because of poor fitment. Is it possible to have a too thick rad and shroud combo?
And last...how much more improvment is it from stock to aftermarket performance radiator? Is it worth the $200+ bucks to swap if my stock rad is working just fine? (the old if it aint broke dont fix it thing?)
I would love to do everything at once but a new rad and electric-fans is not cheap...on my budget anyways.
so basically...what brands?what prices are they roughly?what works best with the fan shroud?what performance do I get?
Thanks for any info on this .......
aftermarket radiator question?
Re: aftermarket radiator question? (mixflip)
Koyo - $300PWR - $450Koyo Copper - $130-150ishFluidyne - $480
These are the major brands and prices that I can think of. If your KA(assuming you have a KA) is stock or close to stock and the stock radiator is still working, I see no cause for you to replace it. The radiator in combo with the stock clutch fan do a great job out of the box.
Many people upgrade because of the higher temps caused by the turbo, or because their stock radiator is on its last leg and isn't functioning properly. The upgraded radiators work very well and are always a good investment. The last thing anyone wants is to overheat their engine. Koyo is typically the most popular just because of the price and it works just as good as the others.
I know most of the rads have mounting holes for the stock shroud, so I see no reason why a reputable brand would have problems using the stock fan, unless the company mentions that you can't use it.
If you're looking for a cheap rad/fan combo, the Koyo copper and altima fans are the way to go. The koyo copper was actually tested to cool better than all the other brands out there, before Koyo redesigned their aluminum radiator though. Altima fans can be had for cheap and flow pretty well.
Just mess with the search function. There are countless threads on radiator/fan combos.
These are the major brands and prices that I can think of. If your KA(assuming you have a KA) is stock or close to stock and the stock radiator is still working, I see no cause for you to replace it. The radiator in combo with the stock clutch fan do a great job out of the box.
Many people upgrade because of the higher temps caused by the turbo, or because their stock radiator is on its last leg and isn't functioning properly. The upgraded radiators work very well and are always a good investment. The last thing anyone wants is to overheat their engine. Koyo is typically the most popular just because of the price and it works just as good as the others.
I know most of the rads have mounting holes for the stock shroud, so I see no reason why a reputable brand would have problems using the stock fan, unless the company mentions that you can't use it.
If you're looking for a cheap rad/fan combo, the Koyo copper and altima fans are the way to go. The koyo copper was actually tested to cool better than all the other brands out there, before Koyo redesigned their aluminum radiator though. Altima fans can be had for cheap and flow pretty well.
Just mess with the search function. There are countless threads on radiator/fan combos.
Re: aftermarket radiator question? (teddy)
Hey thanks man, That was some good feed back. I appreciate it!
I agree with the idea of not replacing a perfectly good working stock rad but my stock high miles KA motor seems to be running hotter than I would like to see as a daily driver.
The temp gauge needle is just above 50% on the gauge (probably 55 to 60%) I have no idea what the actual temp is but it seems to always run at that temp. (I am going to borrow a lazer temp gun from work asap.)
My S14's KA ran well below the 50% mark on the gauge so I figured a nice aftermarket better performing rad would be good on my old S13.
I am not a hardcore drifter but when I do rev the motor and get sideways the temp does bother me when it gets up there! Anyways ...thanks again bro for the info....
I agree with the idea of not replacing a perfectly good working stock rad but my stock high miles KA motor seems to be running hotter than I would like to see as a daily driver.
The temp gauge needle is just above 50% on the gauge (probably 55 to 60%) I have no idea what the actual temp is but it seems to always run at that temp. (I am going to borrow a lazer temp gun from work asap.)
My S14's KA ran well below the 50% mark on the gauge so I figured a nice aftermarket better performing rad would be good on my old S13.
I am not a hardcore drifter but when I do rev the motor and get sideways the temp does bother me when it gets up there! Anyways ...thanks again bro for the info....
Re: aftermarket radiator question? (mixflip)
What I would do is invest in a water temp gauge. The stock S13 gauge works in 3 stages. Cold, warm, and oh ****. An affordable aftermarket water temp gauge from Autometer or Megan racing can tell you exactly how hot your engine is running, and isn't going to break the bank.
Like I said earlier, the Koyo copper is a great bang for the buck. But many people go with the aluminum because it's much lighter than copper, and it's bigger. After you figure out where your temps are settling at, if it's higher than you'd like it to be, then look to changing out that old thermostat and possibly investing in a new radiator.
Like I said earlier, the Koyo copper is a great bang for the buck. But many people go with the aluminum because it's much lighter than copper, and it's bigger. After you figure out where your temps are settling at, if it's higher than you'd like it to be, then look to changing out that old thermostat and possibly investing in a new radiator.
Re: aftermarket radiator question? (teddy)
awsome...I'll do that.