mx5cartalk.com

I have an 02 NB 123k, I also have a greenish radiator top endtank. Thinking it maybe time to replace it, but confused as to what to replace it with.
Prices range from $140 to $1000 and sizes from 16mm to 52mm core size thickness. Single row and double row.
I believe that 16mm is standard, stock, but 26mm seems to be the upgraded common size.
Can anyone say what size they have used for a stock road car? And if a 26mm drops straight in with no adjustment?
Any info on radiators for OEM replacement appreciated.

Not particularly cheap but this is the probably one of the best aftermarket out there......

https://www.prospeedracing.com.au/Koyor ... 4-VH060650

If you're going for OEM then get the one from the 04/05 SE as that's a direct fit but 27mm so much more effective.

If it's a standard-ish street car then don't overthink it. Get a stock replacement and save yourself the extra coin. The original lasted 18 years with no dramas and still hasn't let you down - you're not going to do much better than that.

^^ Wot he said.

I agree with Paul and Green. The OEM radiator is also likely to be superior to aftermarket things which are not made to OEM specs. When I sold my NBP2 a few years ago it was still on same radiator without problems.

Thanks for the responses and link. I'm thinking on the SE OEM one now, direct fit and added cooling. I doubt I'll be worrying about it again in 18 years.
Again, thank you all.

I just replaced an aftermarket thick core rad with a stock rad. Saved me 2 kg in radiator mass and a another 1.x kg in coolant. And as it is thinner there is more room to work on other components, get the fans in and out, get the rad in and out, fit the oil cooler. Oh, and the engine warms up sooner.

PaulF wrote:If it's a standard-ish street car then don't overthink it. Get a stock replacement and save yourself the extra coin. The original lasted 18 years with no dramas and still hasn't let you down - you're not going to do much better than that.

Radiator shops can replace the plastic top and bottom tanks for less than the price of a mid quality replacement. The OEM radiator is really pretty good. I did 4000 laps over 10 years with the original one in a modified NA8 with no heating problems.

madmort wrote:I have an 02 NB 123k, I also have a greenish radiator top endtank. Thinking it maybe time to replace it...

Might have been different with NB radiators, but with NA radiators, turning light brown was an indication of brittleness.

I have never had a radiator fail in my NA8 but I did replace one in 2016 as the old one was going green. I have never had an overheating problem which was traced to the radiator, (The replacement was an aftermarket one from Bursons which appeared identical to the one I replaced) If I was to do it again I would opt for a bigger one to be sure. If you are in Brisbane you could have my old one which is still in the shed.

93_Clubman wrote:

madmort wrote:I have an 02 NB 123k, I also have a greenish radiator top endtank. Thinking it maybe time to replace it...

Might have been different with NB radiators, but with NA radiators, turning light brown was an indication of brittleness.

Nope. Light brown = impending doom .