What kind of radiator should I get?

[im2bad4ya]

My radiator has a tiny leak in it. It still holds coolant but when I drive for a long time my car smells of antifreeze. And I don't wanna take a chance that the hole gets bigger and I'm left stranded on the road with an overheated engine so I'm gonna tackle this soon. I'm running a stock setup so I'm not looking for the ultimate in cooling. But wanted to know if there was a good upgrade for the price or if I might as well just get a replacement stock radiator. Also are the MSP radiators the same as other Protege radiators?? Any suggestions???

 

[jdwk]

The radiators are not the same, they are narrower to make room for the intercooler. I have the Protege Garage/AWR/Ron Davis radiator, and I can not recommend it.

My stock one started leaking and after a year of filling it back up with coolant and water every month or so I finally gave in and ponied up the $500 for the all aluminum radiator.

Two years later, this past Feb, I noticed the new radiator was leaking. I called the manufacturer but it is just over two years and out of warranty. So I used some radiator cleaner that had some stop leak in it and that seemed to work, although not sure how long it will last.

My suggestion is get a stock replacement. It isn't cheap either, $340 I believe is the best deal. But it should last as long as your current one which is a lot better than my upgraded one.

If you were at all thinking about going FMIC I though, you might want to consider doing that and getting a regular protege radiator.

 

[SprNater]

http://www.Krossoverauto.com/crossovershop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2_33&products_id=406 thats what i would get. change the "K" to a "c"

 

[Spiced MSP]

mishimoto

 

[im2bad4ya]

My car is 98% daily driver, I don't need the "performance" and can't justify dropping that much on a radiator when I could throw that towards a steed speed manifold or something that will give me performance. I'm gonna try the marketplace and see if I can get a stock radiator, or see if there's a welder around my area who could fix my current one. Thanks for the info tho, I appreciate it.

 

[Jo060]

Considering a new OEM radiator is over $300, $255 isn't too bad.

 

[Jaleik]

I have a mishimoto with slim fans and im very satisfied with it. Finding a stock msp rad can be a pain.

 

[im2bad4ya]

I'm sure I can get a second hand one for at least half tho, someone parting their car

 

[hornsfan10609]

A used radiator won't last very long, it's 10 years old like your stock one is. Plastic can only handle so many heat cycles. I have the mishimoto and I don't see why anyone with an FMIC setup wouldn't have one, it's much cheaper than the OEM MSP rad.

 

[im2bad4ya]

I don't have a FMIC setup, at least not yet, debating on whether to install the one I have or trade for something more simple. I just dropped some money on a SSAFC so money is a little tight. It's not that i wouldn't consider it or that I would never get it, it's that I wouldn't get it at the moment.