May need a new radiator, to go aftermarket or not ? reccomendations ?

[RED3VIL]

Hello all,

So i have established i got a leak with the radiator system and the car is going to be "gramps driven" to a workshop tomorrow

I have an 2005 manual SP23 with nearly 100 000k's on the clock, in case anyone hasn't figured it out

Had it running for about 15 mins today, trying to locate the leak, no luck
I have wriggled all the pipes and it appears that they are still in tack
The fittings for the aftermarket gauges are all secure as well

My guess is its coming from the bas eof the radiator itself, so i may need a new radiator

I Mate has suggested i get an aluminum race one with the dual fans and stuff

Which leaves me wondering:

- Is there a massive price difference between a race on and the factory ?
- What are the pros and cons of each system ?
- Will they both last as long as each other ?


Any other feedback would also be greatly appreciated

Most would be thinking, no point getting a race one if im not using the car on the track, but if there price difference isnt huge and its worth my while i may still get it anyways

So yeah, put simply: do i go with a factory replacement or do i go with aftermarket ...

---------- Post added at 10:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 PM ----------

P.S. if i have this in the wrong section, can Mods please move it - cheers

[Caffeine Fiend]

Not sure what the factory unit costs, but here's an idea of a performance radiator:

http://store.awrracing.com/products/...mpetition.html

As you've mentioned though I'm not sure if you'd really see a tangible benefit from it if you're not planning on doing competition race work etc

Visually it's impressive though


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[RED3VIL]

Yeah win lose situation
Have been told the factory ones have plastic fittings on them where as the after market doesnt
Either way, looks like im up for a pretty penny, so may as well go the aftermarket, no plastic fittings - one would assume it would last longer

[foxy]

I would make enquiries about a recon radiator from a specialist. They often have them in stock because there are a lot of common fittings. Probably fit it for you. Yes, modern radiators seem to go along that bottom edge.

[RED3VIL]

Only need to replace the main part of the radiator, not the entire cooling system - still its gonna be a costly one
Will have to sort it out for my next RDO ....

I have just been told by one of the mechanics that the AWR race radiators arent all that good, tough choice ...

Got charged $25 or something for inspection, not too bad .. a place in Joondalup called Auto Solve

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Foxy, thanks for you advice, just as a bit of a discussion. dont you think its a bit of a risk taking the chance with a recon or 2nd hand radiator ?
This car cost me $32 000 brand new plus all the parts i have added onto it etc..

If the whole cooling system blows out, its a chain effect if you dont realise quick enough
Coolant goes, radiator drys up overheats and is fried, thermostate and water pump will be the next to get then the negine will eventually suffer ..

Have had it in the past with my '87 astra, $1500 later i had the whole lot replaced ...

[Caffeine Fiend]

I should have prefixed my post above to say I have no experience with AWR. It just looked like the sort of thing you were mentioning


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[RED3VIL]

:P

Have got the car booked in for the 25th
Have decided to go with a generic - similar to mazda but will be cheaper and still does as good of a job

[lup15]

i would just get a generic aftermarket one. performance radiators are made fully of alloy and this you wont get busted tanks etc. but you also pay a premium for that

[Caffeine Fiend]

Good call Matt


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[RED3VIL]

Ok, just got the ofrst quote and i think they are ripping me off:

$652 - to supply and fit
$149 to flush and fill with non genuine mazda coolant

Opinions please ? Will be getting a few more quotes on Monday