24 replies to this topic

[SCCA_Racer]

I have started the process of deciding which radiator to purchase as I have been told my stock radiator will not handle the heat generated on a hot summer day out here in California while drafting.
I think I know what I am looking for which is a 50mm plus thick aluminum radiator.
Anybody have a radiator recommendation which get me the best bang for the buck?
Anyone have any bad experiences with a particular brand or company?
Thanks for the help.
Joshua Fine

[john mueller]

The thick Koyo has worked well down in SoCal

[Scottie]

cx racing. I believe it is a knock off of the koyo 53. It is on their ebay store for 150 or something cheap. It works great for me.

[Muda]

cx racing. I believe it is a knock off of the koyo 53. It is on their ebay store for 150 or something cheap. It works great for me.

Me too. $130 shipped to my door.

[svvs]

My 1.6L did fine drafting with a crate motor and the automatic transmission radiator. "Hot" days here in the Northeast were in the 80's to 90's.

That being said when I replaced the motor I replaced the radiator with the big koyo. Lot's of guys have been running those CX's for a year or so now though and speak well of them.

[David Brown]

I'll give the CX another vote. Its very well made and the price is unbeatable. If it doesn't do it for you pull it out and sell it for most of what you put into it as they are constantly selling out of them and then waiting for more to arrive. YMMV.

db

[dstevens]

I was looking at the CX from Just-Intercoolers on eBay. It seems like the only beef with the company is they list things not in stock. Anyone know how long the Miata radiators are typically back ordered?

[FTodaro]

I ordered the Goodspeed 52mm and it is not the same quality as the Koyo i had but it was 1/2 the cost and it looks to be able to get the job done.

[SCCA_Racer]

I went with the cheap CX Racing Ebay radiator. Bought it on the 2nd and got it on the 4th.
The only issues I found with it and they are that it is a good idea to run a tap down the fan mounting bungs. Second I noticed that the top tank of the radiator is not perfectly aligned to the bottom tank. It looks to be about an 1/8" back on the drivers side versus the passenger side, but it is nothing to jump up and down about as the price point was still worth it.
Thanks for the input.

[Cy Peake]

I think fluid capacity is more important than the thickness. Ron Davis unit here for that very reason.

[Muda]

The CX unit is a simple 50mm downflow design.

I would guess the RD is a crossflow unit.
Superior cooling and quality at 4x+ the price.
And with a '99 you can afford to carry all that extra weight. ( :

[steveracer]

I went with the cheap CX Racing Ebay radiator. Bought it on the 2nd and got it on the 4th.
The only issues I found with it and they are that it is a good idea to run a tap down the fan mounting bungs. Second I noticed that the top tank of the radiator is not perfectly aligned to the bottom tank. It looks to be about an 1/8" back on the drivers side versus the passenger side, but it is nothing to jump up and down about as the price point was still worth it.
Thanks for the input.

I noticed the same thing with mine, but have had zero problems with it otherwise.

With a Mazda thermostat my car runs 192* even during June in Houston.

[Rob Burgoon]

The brackets crack on my CX Racing. Not fast, but a season of curb smashing makes cracks that grow. I still use them though, since if I get an expensive radiator, I'll promptly smash it.

[John Hammer]

I ran an OEM equivalent automatic dual core radiator for many years & it worked perfectly, even in a couple of 100 degree Road Atlanta days.

That said, I also have a CX Racing aluminum radiator in there now & I've never seen the car run so cool. And yeah, the price is Panini on PB&J budget.

[5X Racing]

big Koyo with factory thermostat here, been in there for 5 years with no issues whatsoever. It's a middle of the road radiator in price, but really works just as well as the $500+ units, even down in FL. Friends with the Springfield radiator run the same temps as I do.

I felt better going with it rather than a ultra bargain radiator, gotta wonder why they are so cheap right?

[Mark Franklin]

I'll vote for the Springfield radiator. Nothing is even close at our altitude (thin air) on very hot days - the true test of radiator. I've also had awesome customer service from SafeRacer and Sam Henry.

Personally, I've tried the Koyo and Ron Davis. The Springfield is about 25-30 degrees cooler than either in the same car.

Mark

[Brian Ghidinelli]

+1 on the Springfield Dyno unit (And SafeRacer!). I need to add tape to get the car up to temp in cooler weather and it handles our 110F Thunderhill scorchers with no problem. It just took a huge rock to the face yesterday at Willow Springs and kept on trucking: http://twitter.com/#...286626952581120

[davecarama]

You can get a CXRacing one here for $199:

CXRacing Radiator

I have one in my car and it work fine in the summer at VIR, Summit Main and Summit Shenandoah. I've never seen the dial move.

Dave

[Mike Collins]

I like the Springfield. I have used the cheaper ones as well but they do lack a certain level of quality and fitment.

[Todd Green]

Personally, I've tried the Koyo and Ron Davis. The Springfield is about 25-30 degrees cooler than either in the same car.

I have a Ron Davis that came with the car and have the same experience that it cannot cool the car during our hot summers at altitude (Miller Motorsports Park).

Did we ever get reports back on the C&R from this thread?