airman-plato

So yesterday I finally tackled the radiator job. Had the mishimoto sitting in my room for a few weeks while my car was slowly leaking coolant from the upper tank at the seam next to the nipple going to the reservoir. Not the nipple itself. It took a while to get the old one out and that was one of the harder parts along with getting the new and thicker one back in. The mishimoto was thicker so it was a struggle to get it in and try to keep the condenser from getting dinged. Everything matched up for the most part, but I mean its an aftermarket radiator. So its not gonna be perfect and I expected that so it was no surprise when I had to waller out one of the mounting holes for the fan bracket a little bit to get the bolt hole to line up. That was about the only issue. All in all it was a decent fit with just a few minor tweaks to it. I recommend it, I dont have a scan gauge or anything so I can't see temps or anything like that, but id imagine it keeps it somewhat cooler and its already better considering its not spraying coolant everywhere in my engine bay.

jeffe19007

I installed a Koyo High Performance 37 mm radiator (from Goodwin Racing) this past summer and it went in with no fitment issues and it performed well in the Arizona July and August heat. It got me to Sevenstock 17 and back (in November, so no big deal).

The challenge was getting the silicone hoses onto the top hose bridge (if I have that correct). Took a vise, a screwdriver and a bunch of liquid soap to get it on. I have to say the clamps Racing Beat provided were pretty nice.

Too bad none of this work shows!

Nuke It

Located this "Ultimate Performance Radiator" from the folks at RX8 performance:

Ultimate Performance Radiator by RX-8 Performance | RX8Performance.com

It's a dual pass. It's also expensive.

#2, BHR no longer lists a radiator.
#4, Koyo sells several, but the V2695 is the one most cited.
#5, Knighsport no longer lists on their web site.
#6, Greddy has no listing on their web site.
#9, PWR no longer listed.
#10, AWR: no longer listed.

FazdaRX_8

iTrader: (1)

I am still quite happy with my ebay speed daddy unit

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

A dual-pass is much more effective for track use.

slash128

Me too for street use. It has worked out well.

Cypher279

So I'm going to need a new radiator too. And I'm on a pretty tight budget. Plus, my fans are positively tight and seized up so I'm most likely gonna have to change those too. Seems like the CSF is the best by general consensus, but it's almost twice as much as the ebay Speed Daddy one that comes with fans. But $150 for a radiator and fans just doesn't sound all that great...any advice?

logalinipoo

You get what you pay for.

If your fans are seized why are you getting a new radiator not just a good set of fans?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah Ebay fans are a bad idea. My Mizu fans/shroud sucked *****.

RotaryTherapy

iTrader: (1)

That rx8scamperformance unit should come with a description of waiting time : infinite - go kick rocks

Cypher279

One of the plastic outlets on the top of the radiator is busted (the same one that always breaks, apparently)

Should I still consider the speed daddy radiator? (the one without the fans if they're not good) I mean I'm not tracking my car and if it works well for street use then it'll work well for me. And how's mounting? any mods needed?

And what would you guys suggest as far as fans and shrouds? I noticed that the stock shroud has a hole on the top of the passenger side for a tube that comes out of the ecu (ecu cooling, I guess?), but all the aftermarket ones look like they just cover up the whole radiator. I don't see how this couldn't cause a problem...

Also, btw, why is there a plastic intake just to cool off the battery? Do batteries REALLY get that hot?

What if I just bought some actual good quality fans and mounted them up like the ones on that ebay radiator, without a shroud? does the shroud help significantly?

Lol sorry, I've got lots of questions, but any help is much appreciated. Thank you.

logalinipoo

ahh, yes that is a common problem. As for other radiators and fans I don't really know. I have a CSF rad and it works great for me, but stock fans, and a custom under tray. So your results will definately be different than mine.

Yes a enclosed battery can get very hot, but they also off gas fumes, and that will vent them.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

You can get an OE replacement dirt cheap on RockAuto.com

Cypher279

So would the OE be better than the speed daddy performance-wise? because if not I'd rather have all aluminum. I just don't want to risk breaking the fittings again, and having plastic on my radiator would just make me feel a little bit sad inside...

FazdaRX_8

iTrader: (1)

I did speed daddy, its thicker and all aluminum so those plastic bits that brake are no longer an issue, been running it fine for street use on turbo car with lower tstat for over a year now. Some bolt taps need to be bent. Thicker doesn't mean its better it could still be as good as stock.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

What year is your car and how long did it last? The fitting on my original 2005 OE radiator is still fine, but it's your money to spend as you see fit. If you're planning to keep the car another 10+ years then maybe it makes sense to put a racing radiator on it.

Cypher279

It's an 04 that I'm rebuilding, basically. Looks like it was sitting outside for a good amount of time (there were ants in it when I bought it). But I think I am gonna go with the Speed Daddy then, if it's working alright for you guys. I'm just a little concerned about fan shroud and that ECU cooler that feeds into the stock fan shroud. Does that tube need to go into the fan shroud? Seems to me like it could just stick out anywhere in the engine bay if air's already flowing through it.

pcs

iTrader: (2)

the new rx8performance radiator is no longer being made by Ron Davis - and the lead time has been cut down substantially. Doesn't have too many in stock at the moment though - the manufacturer ran out of the cores needed for this unit.

Just a heads up for those looking for another dual pass radiator option.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah just make sure it's not "preproduction" and missing a drain plug. You also want to make sure you pay with a credit card or paypal as extra insurance considering who the seller is.

pcs

iTrader: (2)

i believe he's out of the preproduction units.

have there been many issues with rx8performance recently? I thought the issues were in the past?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yes there have been some issues with quality and shipping times on certain items that I know of that people have bought recently. Some choose to forgive and forget, some don't.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

I am so pleased to hear that you were concerned, 9k, but since I am the one with the preproduction unit, shouldnt I be the one to bring it up? 600 bucks for a dual pass radiator, I have no complaints. All it takes is to disconnect a water line and drain it into a bucket, not the end of the world.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Should you be? You didn't know you were being sold a radiator without a drain plug. I realize you are not upset about it because you don't work on your own car, but I am sure others would be, so IMO it would be a good idea for them to ask just to make sure they are getting a drain plug and not a "preproduction" version without one.

GK1707

iTrader: (10)

The rx8performace rads came with no drain plugs? That's kinda awkward, I suppose you can drill and tap a drain bolt in there.

But anyways, still running my CSF aluminum rad about a year now almost to date and still holding strong. Temps nice and cool with my Cobb low fan settings set to 195f. Definitely one to consider if anyone is looking for a full aluminum bolt in radiator. Perfect fitment and very happy with it a year later.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

This is the kind of confusion I was hoping to avoid. Mine is the only one that was delivered without a drain plug. I have a pre production unit. The others that were listed for sale were built after mine, and they have a drain plug.