Tethlah

I found this aluminum radiator and fan set from fastwayracer (I had never heard of them until this search this morning) and can't find a brand name, or even any info on the rad outside of what the site quotes. I was hoping someone where had heard of it. Right now I'm looking at buying a Mishimoto Radiator (it seems like every rad I research has a bad review for every awesome review so I ended up settling on that for price and not being able to find any major failures associated with it) and an OEM expansion tank/air separator with sensor from mazmart.

Anyway, here is the link: 04-11 Mazda RX-8 Manual 2 Rows Aluminum Radiator & 2X 12&#39&#39 Radiator Fans - FastWayRacer.Com

Has anyone heard of this? Seen it? Experience with it? Otherwise I'll probably just go with the Mishimoto Rad and fit the current fans and all to it. (I found it for about 250 bucks)

tpb7463

iTrader: (1)

I doubt anyone has.

I highly doubt you are getting anything near "The radiator increases 30%-40% cooling than OEM radiator..." for that kind of price. I only know of two radiators that are capable of that, and they are $500+. For that product you linked it is border-lining on impossible for them to make that performance claim, include two new fans, and still sell at that price.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

In addition to tpb's comments (which I agree with), the grammar problems in the description also would make me pause. Are they not professional enough to pay attention to that? How do they run the rest of their business?

You can get a brand new OEM radiator from Mazmart for under $200, and I'd think that with adding the fan pack you would still be around the same price.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

If your not upgrading your tstat you will not see any difference.

Tethlah

So it's probably worth going ahead and replacing the pump and thermostat while I'm at it?

Looking at mazmart, to buy all OEM it'll cost about 600 bucks + liquids to replace the waterpump, thermostat, rad, and tank myself. Any reason to not go with the OEM rad? I was still thinking Mishimoto Aluminum Rad (only another 100 bucks). But if there is not really a good reason to go with anything other than OEM if I'm not running FI then I'm not sure if it's worth the extra 100 bucks.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Mishimoto's radiator is on par with OEM. You would be wasting the money. As noted above, the only real upgrades to OEM are in the $500 range.

Tethlah

Well, I've looked up all the DIY threads and also downloaded the FSM and any other material I could find. Going to order the parts this week and hopefully be able to do the replacement next weekend. I'll post pictures of everything along the way if it helps guys out. (This will be my first major-ish undertaking on mechanic work lol).

Well, outside being an engineer in the Navy and working on jet engines.

tpb7463

iTrader: (1)

I'll leave this here, just in-case:

M A Z D A

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah, on a mostly stock car that doesn't see track time I would recommend sticking with stock parts when possible. The stock radiator is pretty hard to beat for a daily driver. Just be aware that OEM replacement parts may not be equal in terms of quality to the OEM pieces. But some aftermarket stuff can actually be better or at least as good as the OEM stuff. I tend to stick with well know brands when buying aftermarket oem replacement parts.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

go cheap now, and you will feel sorry later. done.

Tethlah

Good Post. Yeah I found this link that has that plus a bunch of manuals. Not sure if that one you linked includes everything this does, but I liked the fact it was in pdfs that I could access from a tablet while working on my car.

Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals

I agree. The only thing I can't get past is the price tag. I do want to go FI eventually, but I don't know if I want to shell out a grand right now on a radiator when I'm not going to do it for another 2 or more years. So OEM isn't a big deal for now since I'm not putting any load outside factory specs.

Eventually I want to get her race worthy. I have a list of about $15k of work I want to put into her, but I'm just starting with things that absolutely have to be done first (IE repair this cracked rad). Followed by brakes upgrades, CAI, suspension, etc; until I get everything done but the FI. Then I'll start building a turbo fund and get all the parts together that I'll need. Get a weekly rental, and then most likely I'll send the engine to get ported professionally while I do whatever other work I can do until the engine comes back, and install the turbo. After that, I'll do a body kit, carbon fibre hood, etc.

So yeah, eventually I want to race her, but that's an eventually that's in the simi distant future. My first concern is to just get her drivable to work and back. (I can drive now, but I'm having to add a few cups of water every day) and I don't want to run the risk of causing damage.

It's a learning process for me. I'd like to do as much work as possible myself. Mostly just for the experience and to take ownership of my work. I was an engineer in the Navy in a past life, so I'm great at following tech manuals and SOPs plus I do have an engineering mind, so it helps there too. Now that I'm out of the Army (yeah, I was in the Navy and the Army) and a full fledged civilian, I'm trying to focus on what makes me happy rather than focusing on duty.

And this car does make me smile in those turns I just need to get her a bit more happy, she doesn't like overheating lol.

FerociousP

iTrader: (1)

+1 on just buying the more expensive radiator now.

you'll spend less at onece two years from now when you go FI (if you actually do that).