THSCC Forums

Well on the way to Target today I begin to notice trace amounts of white smoke about the hoodline and after inspection, it turns out that the top of my radiator is leaking.

My predicament is this:

1. Buy another plastic generic one for a little over $100
2. Buy an OE Honda one for $300 at cost
3. Or, buy one from a specialist, let them install it and have somewhat of a warranty for a price between the aformentioned.

Has anyone any experience with places like these?:

http://www.radiatorbarn.com/s7.asp?ac=N ... =L4%2C1.8L

Seems like a kick-ass deal, but I don't know if they conk out after 500 miles.

TIA,

Matt
DS #78

Matt,

If strict compliance with SCCA rules is an issue you may have to go with the oem radiator for Stock, ST, and SP. Check the book . . .

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Funny you bring that up. That was my next concern. I'm leaning toward the OE replacement at cost; still a whooping $300 bones. In the last hour of research I've dug up stories about the $100 knock-offs. Man-o-man...

go with the 100 dollar knock-off.

They can't be that bad (I have one, as does Stephen) , not any worse than stock anyways.

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2001 Honda S2000 - SOLD
2012 Boss 302
2003 BMW 330i

If it is an all metal radiator (rare), then a knock-off wouldn't be bad since you can braze them to repair. However, if it is a plastic end tank POS so common on newer cars, my feeling is that you should pay for quality. Those things suck on a good day, buying one of questionable quality is inviting problems.

If you don't have to worry about rules, check out a circle track racing catalog ( www.ColemanRacing.com or www.lefthanderchassis.com for example) and compare their off-the-shelf options to what you run. I found that my Focus radiator is remarkably similar to a universal GM style 19" x 27.5" unit. I would need a hose adapter or two and a couple hours to work on the mounts, but at less than $200 it is about the same cost as my OE and I would presume since it cools built short track V8s well, more than capable of doing the job for my little old Zetec. Perhaps you can find one for your car.

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Rich
http://www.v8mongrel.com/

both oem and oem replacement are plastic... if you want metal go fluidyne.

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2001 Honda S2000 - SOLD
2012 Boss 302
2003 BMW 330i