Replacing radiator --but--advice sought--please.

Basho · Postby **Basho** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:58 pm

Due to age , the fact that I've had aircon fitted , the fact that the radiator header tank is browner than a pug dogs ring and before it blows , I've decided to replace my radiator.

This leads me to a dilema , I've found replacement 25mm OE looking ones one from FENIX @ $250 and one from Western Auto Cooling for @ $160.

Also from FENIX but also from a number of other suppliers like ASI and at varying prices from around $150 and up 42mm all alloy ones.

As I have aircon fitted what would be the best thicknes/type of radiator given the fans have to cool the condensor through the radiator ?

Any comments/recomendations on radiator types would be gratefully received also.

92 NA6

Red Dragon · Postby **Red Dragon** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:59 pm

I have a 42mm ASI in my NA and have no problems with the aircon.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:11 pm

There's numerous threads on hear that pretty well all end up with 'buy the ASI alloy one and be done with it'. I've got them in both of my NA's, both with aircon.

Postby **mrpham** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:06 pm

Another option I recently learnt about are the factory automatic model radiators, they are 32mm compared to the thinner manual model 22mm.

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:04 am

Jeo wrote:There's numerous threads on hear that pretty well all end up with 'buy the ASI alloy one and be done with it'. I've got them in both of my NA's, both with aircon.

+1
A search for ASI results in the following threads!
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=54049
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=53836
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=42026
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=52439
viewtopic.php?f=75&t=53261
That should provide you with enough advice!

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:39 am

As above. A 42mm ASI will be more than adequate. Plus, it's shiny.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:20 pm

mrpham wrote:Another option I recently learnt about are the factory automatic model radiators, they are 32mm compared to the thinner manual model 22mm.

+1, if you don't want to go for a 42mm alloy one.

Basho · Postby **Basho** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:50 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone , seems the ASI is the go in alloy according to all the people who have fitted them , I also cane across these and would be interested to see if anyone knows anything about them ?

They appear to be knock off OE 's , - but are they any good :?:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230842555875 ... 1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170709997065 ... 1423.l2649

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:07 pm

Personally I wouldn't trust a company that spells things like "cheep" "machanical" "manufactor" "modles" "heavey"

Basho · Postby **Basho** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:09 pm

hks_kansei wrote:Personally I wouldn't trust a company that spells things like "cheep" "machanical" "manufactor" "modles" "heavey"

aviper4u · Postby **aviper4u** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:34 pm

Basho wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone , seems the ASI is the go in alloy according to all the people who have fitted them , I also cane across these and would be interested to see if anyone knows anything about them ?

They appear to be knock off OE 's , - but are they any good

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230842555875 ... 1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170709997065 ... 1423.l2649

Mate for that money you can get an ASI alloy that multiple members say works and fits fine................... my to 2c

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 7:59 pm

just replace like with like. A std radiator is going to last min 10 years- planning on keeping the car that long? Also it will fit without fiddling and you probably get a usable warranty. I can remember some others commenting on some failures on aftermarket radiators - that's a joke a failure s/be close to zero defect. HKS is right - just pathetic and unprofessional that they cannot even get the script right . If the car is a 92 how many rads has it had and if it lasts another 10 yrs the car will be a mere 30 yrs old. The goal s/be buy a quality product at a fair price-- many products are cheap because of inferior materials, poor manufacturing methods etc. If you drive the car regularly then cheapest should not be the highest weighted criteria.

Basho · Postby **Basho** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:13 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:just replace like with like. A std radiator is going to last min 10 years- planning on keeping the car that long? Also it will fit without fiddling and you probably get a usable warranty. I can remember some others commenting on some failures on aftermarket radiators - that's a joke a failure s/be close to zero defect. HKS is right - just pathetic and unprofessional that they cannot even get the script right . If the car is a 92 how many rads has it had and if it lasts another 10 yrs the car will be a mere 30 yrs old. The goal s/be buy a quality product at a fair price-- many products are cheap because of inferior materials, poor manufacturing methods etc. If you drive the car regularly then cheapest should not b e the highest weighted criteria.

Like with like has been my thought and after a number of phone calls I have found I can replace it with a fully warrantied OE fit aftermarket one from a local established radiator supplier for $195.00 (supply only) and in the unlikely event that it shows a fault I have someone close to hand to shoot, er,- I mean seek immediate redress from.

I have been interested , as a change is providential , to see what other, possibly better, alternatives may be out there before doing the change over.

Car incidentally only has 85K on it and is still on it's first radiator , the addition of aircon , appart from the radiator tank going brown, has prompted my call to action, before, as the saying goes, 'sh*t happens'

. -I can't see selling this car at all, I'm 64 and I recon it'll outlast me. :lol:

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:35 am

Good plan Basho. And wow for such a low KM car and the radiator was brilliant to last the time. Keep enjoying the little car- keeps you young I reckon. PS the aircon is a good idea as well. :wink:

Basho · Postby **Basho** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:03 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:Good plan Basho. And wow for such a low KM car and the radiator was brilliant to last the time. Keep enjoying the little car- keeps you young I reckon. PS the aircon is a good idea as well.

I just found out the manufacturer is Cryomax about which I can find nothing positive , in fact I coud find a lot but nothing realy informative except that they're Taiwanese or Chinese or both depending :shock:

--know anything about the quality of these guys ?