Replaced my busted radiator [Archive] - MX5 Miata Atlanta Owners Club

PDA

View Full Version : Replaced my busted radiator


MoD_Scotty
01-30-2009, 11:32 PM
With an CX-Racing aluminum radiator (which was about the same price as an OEM replacement).

fans already swapped over
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/avatargsr/99Miata/P1000985.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/avatargsr/99Miata/P1000986.jpg

"fixed" old radiator
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/avatargsr/99Miata/P1000990.jpg

It leaves a little less clearance to access the front of the motor, but I think it was worth that small sacrifice.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/avatargsr/99Miata/P1010005.jpg

Atlanta93LE
01-31-2009, 05:41 AM
Sweet. I just ordered a similar (i.e. CDM) rad, but marketed under the Mishimoto label. It'd be interesting to see if there is any difference.

simontibbett
01-31-2009, 01:03 PM
How much was it?

DecoyOctopus
01-31-2009, 01:23 PM
is there any benefits to having a thicker radiator on a stock motor or you gonna go boost or what?

Synthmob
02-01-2009, 08:38 AM
(related to the gasket swap at the meet yesterday) No more oil leaks??

ben91
02-01-2009, 09:15 AM
This one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CXRacing-ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-MAZDA-MIATA-99-05-Manual_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q 3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c29 3Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZi tem390024542474QQitemZ390024542474QQptZMotorsQ5fCa rQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Man, that is so damn cheap. My car probably should get a new rad before summer. After spending a fortune on a Griffin for my last car, this looks like an amazing deal.

RotorNutFD3S
02-01-2009, 10:59 AM
Ben, why don't you buy one of the Mischimotos (sp?) from Nester since his company is having that big sale? Deal ends today though...

ben91
02-01-2009, 11:16 AM
I saw that. His website is screwed up. You have to enter in a coupon code to see what the sale price is. When paying by paypal, it does not allow you to enter in the coupon code. When paying by visa, you have to enter in visa information before the coupon code, which I didn't want to do. I sent nester a message asking what the price would be. But really, the Mishi radiators are on ebay at $240 or best offer with free shipping.

The Mishi radiators look like the CX radiators, but I can't find any information on CX. The Mishi advertise brazed, no epoxy cores which makes me more comfortable with them.

RotorNutFD3S
02-01-2009, 11:30 AM
Yeah. Someone on mt.net got one and was bragging about the $180 total he spent.

Doppelgänger
02-01-2009, 11:39 AM
If I ever need a 55mm radiator, i'll still pay $350 for a KOYO :D

Atlanta93LE
02-01-2009, 02:12 PM
Mishimoto is $200 shipped to the ATL area from turbochargers.com until the end of today.

MoD_Scotty
02-01-2009, 04:13 PM
I got the radiator for $165 shipped...here's the auction:
CLICK HERE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390024495780&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&viewitem=)

It's already been on two road trips (2hr round trip to Columbia and 5hr round trip to ATL), with zero issues.

As far as the benefits for the thicker radiator...I probably won't see much, it was just so cheap I couldn't refuse to upgrade. For just a little more than a OEM replacement, I had to do it. I haven't had any issues with the car taking too long to warm up or anything. The heater still gets warm pretty quick. I intend to eventually turbo the car, so it should help then. For now though, getting rid of that aging/cracked radiator is a ton of piece of mind.

As far as oil leaks...the VC gasket is spot on. I still probably need to do the crankshaft seal though. It seems to be loosing oil WAY slower though, which rocks. Thanks for all the help yesterday!