Radiator questions

[jjm86m]

My stock radiator has a big hole in it and left me stranded.

I'm realizing that the OEM radiators are really really expensive relative to normal radiator costs and that "performance" ones are just as much if not more (mishimoto etc.) This car is my DD so I'm not looking to spend a butt load of money on it but I do need it fixed, and as you can tell I'm not wanting to drop 255-350 on a radiator that realistically should only cost 120 or so.

Will this option work?

Buy full length Mazda Protege radiator ($120-$150), remove SMIC, Ebay FMIC ($150), install both and for the same amount of money for an OEM radiator get better cooling for both radiator and intercooler? Has anybody done this?

Quick response would be great. I need this DD back on the road quick.

Thanks!!!

 

[jeremy irons]

if that's the regular p5 rad, it will work. In fact it will be easier to do the ebay fmic since the regular protege rad is thinner, and makes it easier to run the IC pipes. you will need a few extra couplers to make the ebay FMIC work well, which will push the price to over 200 probably. and dont forget you need a BOV and a decent one will cost more than $100

 

[m626gt]

That radiator is a single row and you stock one is a double row but because of the size difference I do not know if one is better than the other.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

The stock MSP rad cools better than the lower capacity P5 one.

 

[Mishimoto]

That radiator is a single row and you stock one is a double row but because of the size difference I do not know if one is better than the other.

I would highly recommend a 2 row radiator especially if you plan to upgrade to a FMIC.