I've spent a couple hours reading thread after thread about replacement radiators for the RX8. I've even spoken to a few makers and sellers on the phone. I read the post and saw the warped radiator. I also see that one of the most expensive radiators is advertised on this site and touted as the best in workmanship, quality, etc, etc.

I surely have no intention of pissing anyone off on this site. If I do, then I apologize in advance. If you can't accept an apology, then sucks to be you. I just hate to read the statements of a seller of one product slamming another product on a site such as this. It all sort of seems one sided to me.

I'll use the Mishimoto radiator as an example. I've read several complaints about them. However, when THMotorsports advertises their radiators on this site it seems as if folks are lined up to buy them and their fancy colored hoses.

What I'm getting at is this: I'd love to see a no holes barred list of experiences from the owners who have bought these radiators and their experiences with them. Lets hear it from the horses mouth. Not from the manufacturers or sellers.

So, if you own a BHR, Mizu, Mishimoto or what the hell ever aftermarket radiator I'd like to hear from you and how you feel about your purchase and how well they performed as compared to your original. This includes racing and Sunday drivers

If there is such a thread that is dedicated to this particular issue and I missed it, I apologize again. Point me in the right direction and I'll look it up.

Thanks in advance for any feedback

 

I have the BHR radiator: exceptional fit, great craftsmanship, and most importantly, it WORKS.
I have digital temperature gauges mounted in my car and noticed the BHR radiator did a better job of cooling my car then the OEM.

not to say the OEM was bad but in my car the BHR radiator simply does a better job.

 

I have the Mizu and it works ok, as good as OEM, not better. Fitment was 9 out of 10. I would not buy the fan shroud, the factory fans and shroud are really good.

I had the Koyo, fitment was good, performance was almost as good as OEM but not quite.

As for Mishimoto, well warped units and misaligned fan mount holes have been reported on several different forums. It seems as if it is a crap shoot really with Mishimoto.

Lastly, none of the vendors make the radiators. Mazmart's is a Ron Davis and BHR's is a Griffin, both are high quality and I have yet to read anything bad about either.

All of the radiators need to be sealed up to work efficiently and don't forget there are many OEM replacement options as well. Koyo/Calsonic makes an OEM plastic type replacement and most places have it with a lifetime warranty.

 

Just as an FYI, we're running a group buy on Mizu right now: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...13#post4016813

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I've ordered two mishimoto rads in the past two weeks and both where pretty jacked up!The first had a huge dent and the second was warped like a mother!!!

 

Time to buy a real radiator...
Pm Mazmart or BHR

 

hate to say I TOLD YA SO

 

Anyone have this AWR radiator?

http://store.awrracing.com/radiators-16/

Also, does the BHR radiator fit S2 cars?

 

I've seen it listed but I do not know anyone who has ran it. If you have money to burn then go for it, they typically sell good stuff. Look in the "calling all aluminum radiators" thread I started.

 

^That, period.

 

Meh, I have a Ron Davis sitting in my garage and I compared it to the Mizu when I installed it, and as for fit and finish, they are equally nice. I don't see how one could perform much better than the other unless there are things happening internally that I don't know about (which is likely). But we shall see, it is going to be a hot summer here in South Texas and I will be turbocharged again this weekend.

 

i have the AWR, its a ron davis core, same radiator thats used for mazda competition vehicles, there are two versions, one is OEM fitment and another one that is thicker which is made for the speedsource cars i beleive. Fitment is spot on with all the fittings and brackets, the core itself is dual pass, vs alot of other aluminum radiators on the market which are single pass. My oem radiator cracked and i had to replace it, ever since then my temperature readings have been way more stable and lower.

I also have mazmart waterpump and thermostat