pdxstromvig Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 I need to replace my radiator and am looking for suggestions on stuff similar to OEM quality but not at that price point. I see options as low as $50 but don’t want to buy a piece of garbage. Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stroker ace Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 I bought a denso brand form rockauto less than a 100 to the door. I'm sure others have their favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k00laid83 Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 I'm in the same boat. I was thinking of picking up a stock STI radiator from Rockauto. I just keep going back and thinking if I should just get a Koyo Hyper-V radiator instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sez752 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Mishimoto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shralp Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 I went with Koyo as my tuner prefers their build quality and fitment over Mishimoto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Having a bigger Mishimoto, I wouldn't do it again. I'm not happy with how it limits the space in front of the engine. Makes it hard to work in that area to change out a idler pulley or adjust things if needed. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 +1 to what Max Capacity said. I've been happy with the Mishimoto quality overall (going on 11 years since installation), plus it has a lifetime warranty, but would prefer the standard size replacement vs. the x-line. The Crimson Dynamo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 I could be mistaken, but I think you got me the radiator back in the day... 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleides Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 Use a stock radiator if your car is stock. Otherwise, if you, as Max mentioned, don't mind the loss of workspace under the hood, Koyorad is the way to go. The stock plastic parts on our radiators like to break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norutah Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 Anyone else have issues with koyorad leaking from the core? I installed new koyorads on my 05 obxt and my wife's 05 gt wagon. Both are leaking from the core Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sez752 Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 I had that issue, which is why I tried Mishimoto. The first radiator arrived damaged from transit. Mishimoto sent me another one free of charge. With the stock fans it is a tight fit. Bought one if there slim fit fan setups. Haven't had any issues regarding temp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infosecdad Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 I'm running a Mishimoto with stock fans. It's tight, but not dangerously so. Been running great for a couple years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 I went with Koyo as my tuner prefers their build quality and fitment over Mishimoto Bumping this thread Shralp, since you race, what kind of coolant temp do you see on hot days (e.g. > 90F) and sustained boost periods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shralp Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Bumping this thread Shralp, since you race, what kind of coolant temp do you see on hot days (e.g. > 90F) and sustained boost periods? Bout 210 or so on a hot day. This is absolutely pinned though for a 20 min session, i.e. - living at 3500-6700 rpm consistently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Bout 210 or so on a hot day. This is absolutely pinned though for a 20 min session, i.e. - living at 3500-6700 rpm consistently. Thanks. Did you ever race with the stock radiator unit? If yes, what kind of temps were you seeing? If not, what would you expect to see? 220-230F? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Oh also, do you run an aftermarket oil cooler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shralp Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Did run the stock one for a number of seasons but was pushing less power but not that much. Anything over 220 is no bueno. Didn't have my AP on the dash back then but my temp gauge would be a tick or two above mid way, (generally a tick or two below half way in typical day to day driving) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 So, it sounds like you clearly noticed improvements once you installed the Koyo unit. In my case (not racing but driving in HOT conditions and at altitude with heavy load), I did notice that the tune either runs richer or removes timing once you pass 215F. I've hit 229F a couple of times . But the temps go down quickly once you decrease load. I think intake temps was like 120F and I was staying at around 8-12 psi of boost for quite some time trying to maintain speed (steep mountain grade). I think it also does not help that I have a thick aluminum skid plate, slightly lifted outback, heavier tires, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shralp Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Oh also, do you run an aftermarket oil cooler? Not running an aftermarket oil cooler but may do that in the future. Did swap out to the new IAG competition oil pan and baffle so running +1 qt now. So yup did see some improvement with the new Koyo. Swapped it in preemptively when I did the forged motor build not because it failed. Certainly it wouldn’t hurt your situation. The next option would be to put in some of the bigger but thin profile SPAL fans to replace the stock ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Well, I just went ahead and bought a koyorad hyper V radiator . I'll report on coolant temps once installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 shralp, are you still using oem radiator caps on both the radiator and turbo expansion reservoir? If not, which caps are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shralp Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 yup using the same OEM ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Thanks man. One more question . Which coolant have you been using? On a side note, I just discovered that the return coolant line from my turbo has been leaking. Been smelling coolant for a while in the engine bay. Maybe, that was a small contributor to coolant temps easily climbing when I was pushing the car. Just learned that since I have a VF52, I should use a slightly longer return line instead of the one for our VF40. Just purchased it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norutah Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Thanks man. One more question . Which coolant have you been using? On a side note, I just discovered that the return coolant line from my turbo has been leaking. Been smelling coolant for a while in the engine bay. Maybe, that was a small contributor to coolant temps easily climbing when I was pushing the car. Just learned that since I have a VF52, I should use a slightly longer return line instead of the one for our VF40. Just purchased it.Slightly longer coolant return? Details please Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shralp Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Thanks man. One more question . Which coolant have you been using? On a side note, I just discovered that the return coolant line from my turbo has been leaking. Been smelling coolant for a while in the engine bay. Maybe, that was a small contributor to coolant temps easily climbing when I was pushing the car. Just learned that since I have a VF52, I should use a slightly longer return line instead of the one for our VF40. Just purchased it. Oh gosh, not sure what coolant I'm using, whatever Cobb Surgeline put in when they did the install. Also, the coolant return line from my turbo res. to the radiator was also leaking this last season and yes it did cause some temp creep as the system is designed work under pressure to keep the boiling point down. It was a phantom leak that I noticed after coming off track. something was spraying coolant under pressure onto my pass side timing cover / Cobb air box but the ends of the line both at the res and rad looked fine. Finally discovered that the OEM clamp and just the very end of the line was fatigued and deformed enough to just shoot a quick spray of coolant and then essentially "reseal" itself. Replaced the res to rad line with a fresh OEM one and better clamps and its all good now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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