Aftermarket radiator
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 411
From: San Jose
Car Info: 2005 WRB WRX
Aftermarket radiator
What's up guys it's about time for me to replace my stock radiator and I'm going for an aftermarket one as opposed to OEM. I've been looking around at different brands such as Koyo and Mishimoto. Is anyone using other brands such as Godspeed or Blackworks? I just wanna know what may be the pros and cons with your chosen radiator as well as the best bang for your buck. LMK, thanks!
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,225
From: SF Bay Area - Peninsula
Car Info: 04 psm wrx sedan
I've got a koyo that I got when my oem one busted the plastic...just be careful when going aftermarket as the shop that installed mine did not correctly trim the main hose and it got chopped up by the fans, I lost coolant and blew my headgasket...
Other than that I've have no problems whatsoever with the koyo...takes forever for the fans to kick on because its so much bigger than stock
Other than that I've have no problems whatsoever with the koyo...takes forever for the fans to kick on because its so much bigger than stock
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 473
From: Sacramento CA
Car Info: 02 wrx love-wagon
im very happy with my mishimoto. i don't know exactly how many rows mine has, but my temp needle never gets close to half.
i've also run the 160* thermostat (waste of money); also don't waste your money on silicone "performance" radiator hoses, they will not fit right and might possibly leak. go to the stealership and get some genuine hoses (or just buy them online).
mishimoto is also not way overpriced unlike some other more famous brands.
my experience and my 2 cents. good luck
i've also run the 160* thermostat (waste of money); also don't waste your money on silicone "performance" radiator hoses, they will not fit right and might possibly leak. go to the stealership and get some genuine hoses (or just buy them online).
mishimoto is also not way overpriced unlike some other more famous brands.
my experience and my 2 cents. good luck
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,228
From: 631 Railroad Ave. Fairfield, CA
Car Info: A Laptop
We've installed both the mishimoto and koyo and now choose to stock the Koyo a the price has come down and it seems to have better fit and finish. Definately be careful installing it and trim the hoses as slugrx mentioned.
-- Ed
-- Ed
+1^ I've installed 3 of these on different friends' cars and one on my own and am impressed with the quality, cooling capacity and how well they've all held up so far. I'm sure name brand stuff like Koyo and Mishimoto are great products but on a budget CXRacing is hard to beat. As Alien Refugee said, stick with stock hoses. They're a perfect fit and good quality.
Last edited by tofuman; Apr 8, 2012 at 09:27 PM.
Lil' Slugger
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 847
From: N. Lake Tahoe, NV
Car Info: 05 WRB STi Wagon/00 BRP GC Sedan