Which Radiators perform the best?

[srdrifter]

After reading about 100 previous posts I still can't decide on a radiator. I'm turboing a ka24de and want to put in a reliable, clean,effective radiator. From what I read it seems that KOYO doesn't make one for the ka24de, but at the same time there are some on e-bay for sale (I trust the Forum over e bay obviously). So did KOYO just start making them for the ka?

Who has a nice radiator that works good for them, what's the price?

[NateDogg]

Fluidyne>Koyo Aluminum.

If you have all your stock cooling system in place and throw on a cooling panel you should be good for 300hp.

[virus77]

ive never had any cooling problems with my KA-T or SR both on the stock KA radiator and thats in Southern Cali weather. Unless you need one spend you money elsewhere. oh and Ive said it before and Ill say it again, change your username, lol

[fiznat]

I'm a big fan of my Koyo, although I admit I dont have anything (besides stock) to compare to. It kept my car perfecty cool (<200 deg) with only an AC compressor fan (no mechanical) while pushing 20 pounds of boost for extended periods of time. It works well, looks great... cant really complain.

[WDRacing]

Anything copper is actually the best, then anything made from aluminum that has a large surface area. Alot depends on the shroud design around the fan. Actually, the shroud will make all the difference in the world. Especially if you switch to electric.

Don't forget a nice oil cooler. Having both fluids cooler will result in a much happier motor.

[Mustangs_Suck]

My Koyo is flawless, keeps everything at normal operating temp even with the turbo boostin' in 90 degree heat.

[MarkEmark]

My Koyo is flawless, keeps everything at normal operating temp even with the turbo boostin' in 90 degree heat.

Agreed, Koyo makes a nice radiator...nice polished aluminum, fits perfectly. My temps never got above 178 deg. F boosting in the summer heat...I was also running an efficient front mount oil cooler too.

[lrb_2000]

^^ that was with the stock electric fan? nice... I'll have to upgrade the radiator.. wonder if it will run warmer since I won't have an oil cooler though.

[sil80drifter]

Ford Racing Radiators on ebay. Pick one that fits the width of your radfiator space, you cannot beat it's size for the buck, and they are all aluminum. Usually $150 - 200 +shipping.Go look at some:http://search.ebay.com/search/...iator

IMHO, they really are one of the best options. Just pick the right size. They are usually 2.5-3" thick, so make sure you get a slim fan.

sil80
Modified by sil80drifter at 11:25 AM 8/27/2005

[paemt6220]

DRIFT FACTORY SPECIAL ON KOYOs

Drift Factory(A NICO Sponser) has them for $312 SHIPPED. Link is above! I haven't checked around to see if that is a good price, just wanted to post.

Chad

[sil80drifter]

$300+ vs. $200. Hmm.

Here are some pics of the Ford Racing radiator:front comparisonside comparison (or no comparison, actually and that's how nice and snug it fits.

sil80
Modified by sil80drifter at 11:59 AM 8/27/2005

[cyrus240sx]

damn that is a nice looking radiator.... might get me one of those...... anyone know where to get a good inexpensive electric fan that would fit that?

[elgarvo616]

i think altima fans are electric, right?

[turtl631]

Yes, and they are dual speed and come with a nice shroud that fits the S chassis radiator almost perfectly. While they're not the best choice, they're pretty solid for the cost, and probably better than the typical dual 10" FAL setup.

[sunnys14]

thats one thick radiator!

[sil80drifter]

It is thick, but the stock one is also ridiculously skinny. You'll need one of those slim fans without a huge shroud to have a good space between the fan and the pulleys. Although I myself am using some old Honda Accord fan (got it for free, it's kind of thick) and it seems to be working fine.

sil80

[hannibal]

Heres a recent thread about radiators and fans. It has a link to a real good comparison.zerothread?id=131276

[574-240sx]

I have yet to over heat during normal on the street bumper to bumper or spirited driving on back roads. I over heat badly when drifting even with a decent electric fan. I know I need a better radiator. I wouldn't upgrade unless you really need to.

[ShionS14]

You also have the option of a Greddy radiator, it's 549 but you have to take into consideration that you are buying a four core(i believe) radiator from a reputable company in the import industry. plus you have that nice logo showing

[sil80drifter]

*sigh* The logo costs $540 to make, while the rad costs the other $9... lol. Overpriced is just what it is: overpriced. I bet you it's not thicker than the radiator I posted about, and for the Greddy price you could get TWO of those. Put one in the trunk if you're really worried about not having enough cores. They'd probably give you a wholesale discount and you could get THREE. One for the roof, for that extra cool highway cruise.

Ok, I'm just being an ***, but still, paying $500+ for a radiator... eh.

si80

[turbo_lover]

*sigh* The logo costs $540 to make, while the rad costs the other $9... lol. Overpriced is just what it is: overpriced. I bet you it's not thicker than the radiator I posted about, and for the Greddy price you could get TWO of those. Put one in the trunk if you're really worried about not having enough cores. They'd probably give you a wholesale discount and you could get THREE. One for the roof, for that extra cool highway cruise.

Ok, I'm just being an ***, but still, paying $500+ for a radiator... eh.

si80

HAHA!! you are right tho . . . Think of it this way [ HONDA EXAMPLE. DONT FREAK OUT ] Ex: Spoon wheels = $1,600 ish | Mugen wheels = prolly $1,600 - $1,800. | ROTA WHEELS = Spoon REPLICAS =$400 | Circuit 8's (from ROTA) $500 with cheap tires.

what you are payin for is the center cap. SAME THING, but different center cap.

As for radiators, its the same thing. Greddy is like HKS and all other big names. O V E R P R I C E D

[Fergus]

What you pay for in getting a name brand product is proven performance. The construction will be better, materials a higher quality, and end the end a better performing product.

There is however, a point where paying more for something, lets say the Greddy rad, diminishing returns factors in. It will out cool anything else I'm sure, but if its only (example) 10% more efficient but 40% more expensive, its not worth it.

Best suggestion IMO is the Koyo. And get it from Marty at Injected Performance. Check out his stuff in the advertiser forums. Best prices and even better customer service.

Oh yeah, when my headgasket blew to improper install by a shop, my Koyo kept the temps low enough to where I could drive it the 10 mins home with out overheating.

[DRIFTEADOR]

HAHA!! you are right tho . . . Think of it this way [ HONDA EXAMPLE. DONT FREAK OUT ] Ex: Spoon wheels = $1,600 ish | Mugen wheels = prolly $1,600 - $1,800. | ROTA WHEELS = Spoon REPLICAS =$400 | Circuit 8's (from ROTA) $500 with cheap tires.

what you are payin for is the center cap. SAME THING, but different center cap.

As for radiators, its the same thing. Greddy is like HKS and all other big names. O V E R P R I C E D

bad analogy.

spoon/mugen wheels=forged, rota and all other cheap wheels=cast. NOT THE SAME THING AT ALL

[98s14inaz]

I am using a CSF brass alloy radiator from radiatorbarn.com. It is 5/16" thicker than the stock s14 rad and all metal. During a hot az afternoon I can drive around with the ac on at 7psi with no shroud and the temp gauge will not budge over over half way. Best $100 I have ever spent.

I should also add that I flushed and switched to dexcool, 60 water/40 af and waterwetter, nismo thermo and rad cap.