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OEM Replacement Radiator in Aluminum?

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32K views 31 replies 19 participants last post by  mugenfoo  
#1 ·
My OEM radiator suffered a catastrophic failure last week, and I'm in the market for a new one. Obviously I would like to get the most bang for my buck even though I have what I would consider to be minor bolt-on's, so I've been looking at going with an aftermarket aluminum radiator. After much research, and contacting a few of the popular manufacturers, I am still coming up with conflicting info that only real world experience can resolve. The main questions being: Will ANY of these aftermarket, multiple row radiators allow enough clearance to run my factory condenser and radiator cooling fans? What clearance issues will I have? Are there even mounting brackets on these particular radiators for the OEM fans?

My setup is pretty common... 1995 GSR, A/C, manual trans, DC Sports 4-2-1 header, Injen 2.75" SRI, factory overflow canister, OEM Fans.

My dilemma: I would like to maintain the OEM fans, and use an aftermarket aluminum radiator

Here is what I've come up with so far (this is where I need help from those with experience, so please correct me if I'm wrong and I'll edit this post):

1. Mishimoto
- Optional slim fans recommended
- Has mounting tabs for OEM radiator fan oNLY (not for condenser fan)
- OEM cooling fans will fit, with minor cutting of the radiator fan shroud to allow clearance for the a/c high pressure line
2. Godspeed
- May or may not have mounting tabs for OEM fans
- May or may not allow clearance for OEM fans
- May have issues within certain production runs
- May or may not be the best bang for the buck
3. Koyo
- Optional slim fans required
4. Other???
 
#4 ·
OEM radiators are good however the upper and lower seals blow eventually i went through 3 radiators in 3 years before i said to hell with it... idk if i just had bad look or if i just got a bad batch but i couldnt take it anymore so i i got this and it has life time warranty
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I am doing a swap so this works out better for me but it is worth it in the end and yes there is a little more bling!
 
#7 ·
Locrien on Feb/07/11 said:
Why would you buy a oem plastic radiator when Mishimotos are not much more than 200 bucks.

I have gone through the oem radiator and a brass and copper radiator. Just get a good one.
Well according to the OP's research, he has to do modifications or buy new fans for almost all of his aftermarket choices. I've bought 1 radiator in 6 years of owning my car (when it was already 9 years old at that point), went with OEM that cost me $110 and i haven't had a single issue with it ever.
 
#8 ·
OP, If you buy your parts from ebay, name brand with part number, you'll be able to save your self a few bucks or so. All you have to do is make sure that the seller is one of the authorized sellers, so you won't get ripped off incase someone is making fake ones. Theirs usually a few items that are marked for free shipping and usually free of tax (I live in Cali so I usually fall into the free of tax area). This is just an option if you don't want to shed out the extra cash for taxes if you buy it locally or for shipping. A few radiators to stay away from would be black works and mizu, i've checked them out and read reviews and many things don't line up properly along with bad welds.
 
#9 ·
tlangy on Feb/07/11 said:
Quote: Locrien on Feb/07/11Why would you buy a oem plastic radiator when Mishimotos are not much more than 200 bucks.
I have gone through the oem radiator and a brass and copper radiator. Just get a good one.


Well according to the OP's research, he has to do modifications or buy new fans for almost all of his aftermarket choices. I've bought 1 radiator in 6 years of owning my car (when it was already 9 years old at that point), went with OEM that cost me $110 and i haven't had a single issue with it ever.
You also live in a pretty temperate climate. I would recommend an aluminum rad as well. The OEM plastic cap radiators are not good for the long haul (unless you live in Cali). The constant heating/cooling of a radiator well eventually take its toll on plastic ends.
 
#10 ·
tlangy: Bling factors aside lol... I agree that an OEM radiator would be the most hassle free replacement, however I can't justify spending that kind of money ($311 from Delray Acura... show me where to get a true OEM SAK radiator for $110 and I'll buy it immediately) on a part when I seemingly have so many aftermarket options that will provide better cooling. I live in South Florida, where 90% of the year my a/c is on full blast, and my cooling system is tested to the max daily just by sitting in traffic. If this were an a/c compressor, I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with an OEM part, but a radiator? Seems to me like there has got to be a "performance" option that is literally a direct bolt on (or close enough to warrant some minor fab work in favor of better performance).

arodgsr2: Thank you for the photos of the Mishimoto... I know without any doubt now that it only has mounts for one factory fan.

Locrien: Because even though they're 200 bucks, you need fans as well.


When I posted this thread, I didn't really want to make it a debate between OEM and aftermarket radiators. In my search for a replacement radiator I just realized that most of these manufacturers list their products as "Direct OEM Replacements". To me, that means that it's going to fit in the factory location, and there will be mounting locations for the factory fans. Upon further research I realized that that's only the case sometimes, and not the case at all for some. I'm not surprised, I was just hoping to create a thread as an aid for anyone on T-I who is in the market for an "OEM replacement" aluminum radiator. I find it hard to believe, but if the answer ends up being "no, there is no aftermarket aluminum replacement radiator that will fit in the factory location with provisions for mounting the factory fans" then at least there's an answer for it here.

*edit: I changed the topic subject to something less misleading.

Thanks for all of the responses.
 
#11 ·
Dustin96LS on Feb/07/11 said:
You also live in a pretty temperate climate. I would recommend an aluminum rad as well. The OEM plastic cap radiators are not good for the long haul (unless you live in Cali). The constant heating/cooling of a radiator well eventually take its toll on plastic ends.

Well that assumption would make sense, but my experience tells me different. I lived in Riverside CA for the first 3 years I owned my car where it was constantly 100 degrees plus for at least 6-8 weeks in a row. Also, I've taken this same radiator in and out of almost every condition on the planet. I used to commute from riverside to Palm Springs with the AC on full blast the entire way 4 days a week when it was at least 110+ every day (sometimes reaching in to the 120's).

I've taken the radiator in to the Rockies, over the cajon pass, up and down california a dozen times and 4 trips across the country. The only part of my cooling system that's failed was a lower radiator hose that I replaced on the side of the road and kept going just fine.

To the OP, in regards to price, of course acuraoemparts is going to charge a premium for a part like that, but you can find it for MUCH less:

Google Search "1995 Integra Radiator"
 
#13 ·
I bought a Godspeed radiator and the OEM fan for the air condition didnt fit without scrubbing my header (aftermarket DC sports header), so I bought two slim fans off of ebay for $25 each. The second OEM radiator fan didnt even bolt onto the Godspeed, even though they said it should and others on TI said theirs bolted up. Like you said, different batches or something. Sadly, I have never been able to find a single row all aluminum radiator for integras.
 
#14 ·
Cody2289 on Feb/07/11 said:
I bought a Godspeed radiator and the OEM fan for the air condition didnt fit without scrubbing my header (aftermarket DC sports header), so I bought two slim fans off of ebay for $25 each. The second OEM radiator fan didnt even bolt onto the Godspeed, even though they said it should and others on TI said theirs bolted up. Like you said, different batches or something. Sadly, I have never been able to find a single row all aluminum radiator for integras.
This is exactly the response I was looking for... Thank you.
 
#18 ·
Slim fans are not very expensive.

Personally I had the stock radiator go out on me the first week I bought the car. Those plastic tops get brittle and crack. Then they fall into the radiator and plug it up. Plastic and high heat just don't mix well in the long haul. Brass and copper is better but it was a cheap replacement part and ended up springing a leak about 2.5 years later. Its worth it to spend the money on something good in my experience. For something as important as your coolant system I personally would rather have peace of mind.
 
#19 ·
max in fla is selling an oem radiator pretty cheap, you should look into the local forums (i think it is like 35-40 for the rad and fans)
 
#21 ·
Just to close this thread up...

Thanks for everyone's input. I ran into an old friend of mine who just so happened to install a Godspeed radiator in his 94 GSR a few months ago. He went through the same issues with fitment that I was afraid of, and after having to send one radiator back to Godspeed, he finally was able to get it to fit (with stock fans) with some minor fab work. I'm really never adverse to having to do modifications, but as far as cooling goes I don't want to cut corners (haha... that means two things). I found a local shop that is a Mishimoto dealer, and carries the MMRAD-INT-94 and slim fans with the shroud for less than $350 total. I'm also replacing the hoses, and thermostat, as I just recently did a water pump/timing belt job.

Thanks again for everyone's advice. For future reference, it seems as though the answer to my initial question still remains

"no, there is not a direct fit OEM replacement all aluminum radiator available for the 94-01 teg" (yet lol)
 
#23 ·
DOHCVTEC170 on Feb/16/11 said:
ive had a fluidyne radiator with an oem fan for 6 years with no fitting issues. its held up very well over the years and would buy another for a different vehicle.
Do you have any photos? Specifically at the mounting locations for the OEM fans, and the clearance between the condenser fan (drivers side) and the header. I've had a Fluidyne in my Mustang for roughly 8 years and love it, but after installing the Mishimoto radiator and slim fans last night I don't see how there would be any room for the OEM drivers side fan.

FYI I'll post some install photos of the Mishimoto setup later today.

Thanks,
 
#24 ·
tlangy on Feb/07/11 said:
There really isn't any reason to get anything other than OEM if you aren't doing major performance upgrades well beyond bolt-ons or unless you want major bling.

Uh yeah there is - OEM ones are guaranteed to fail with the plastic end tanks. Not only that, but an OEM radiator is three hundred dollars. An OEM clone is one hundred with plastic end tanks and an all aluminum one is around a hundred as well.

It makes sense to put in something that wont fail again.


I've had both Mishimoto and CXRacing - both are great options.
 
#26 ·
ebay has an 1 core aluminum radiator, its however for an auto, but maybe they have for manual too. here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120326712840&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1566wt_939