[Mk2] [Turbo] Aftermarket radiator "Upgrades"

[Magic Beans]

I've seen you can buy replacement MK2 rads, which are made from aluminium etc. Are there any real benefits to using these, or will the stock rad be adequate for a 400bhp engine?

If so, is there a preferred brand or material I should be looking for?

[Blue_2]

stay clear of the alloy ebay specials.....absolute crap

Pay more and get a Mishimoto one

http://www.part-box.com/product_info.ph ... s_id=17608

[Magic Beans]

Thanks

Is there a benefit to running one of those rads over other cooling improvements?

[planted1]

I had one from ebay,it wasnt a mishimoto one,it was stoney racing.
The quality of the one i bought is good.
All aligned correctly and fitted like stock,came with twin 12 bladed hi speed fans as opposed to the stock 4 bladed,also came with a shroud.
Welds were good,core is a lot thicker,end tanks all good.
I had to change mine anyway as their were large areas of missing copper fins.
The ally one will take more coolant,at idle or in traffic it will move more air
on the occasions when i have let mine warm up the fans literally come on for like 10 seconds to get the desired temp drop before stopping.
Im happy with it.

[Nic]

The efficiency of the radiator is mainly down to the quality and size of the core. A brand new OEM radiator is likely to be more efficient than a cheap aftermarket 'performance' rad.

[Peter Gidden]

The efficiency of the radiator is mainly down to the quality and size of the core. A brand new OEM radiator is likely to be more efficient than a cheap aftermarket 'performance' rad.

And the OEM rad. is more than capable at doing the job.

[Magic Beans]

Right you are then. If the stock rad is more than up to the job I'll stick with that.

Temps are currently spot on, I'm just looking at ensuring the engine stays in tip top shape. Prevention rather than cure and all that

[planted1]

Radiator design takes into account many variables,besides quality,which is a given,otherwise no one would buy it,i bought mine because it had more fors than against's,
i didnt trade quality for cost.
As for size of the core that is a factor but only part.
Louvered or non louvered fins,
copper or ally(copper being better at heat dissipation agreed),
allthough ally stands up better to prolonged vibration than copper does,
the latest ally rads use thin wall construction,have a more efficient tube design,are lighter,the frames dont rust,and the fans are far superior to the antiquated toyota ones,which after all are a 25 year old design.
sure,the oem ones are fine
im sure it will be ok for what you want,
but ill stick with mine thanks

[KarlBristol]

Right you are then. If the stock rad is more than up to the job I'll stick with that.

Temps are currently spot on, I'm just looking at ensuring the engine stays in tip top shape. Prevention rather than cure and all that

Maybe just buy a new Toyota radiator
To be fair I might actually do the same for my engine swap... The last thing I want is rusty water/coolant being dragged through the new engine...

[Peter Gidden]

Toyota rads are silly prices.

We get OEM copies, brand new, lifetime guarantee for less than £150.