You do know who you quoted, right?

 

but they only make it for the wrx/sti/legacy last I looked us forester guys are screwed..stupid Subaru had to change the upper inlet JUST on our cars. (as far as I know)

 

A quote =/= change personal experience I stated a fact from my personal hands on observations.

 

Thanks! I am basically assuming that the compressor is just tired, since my car is almost 13 years old now, and it seems to kick on a lot. Of course that could just mean the system needs a lube and a re-charge, but, the clutch engagement is also pretty rough and you can see clutch dust all over the thing. I was told you cannot just replace the clutch/pulley but that might be wrong too.

Based on my experience with Subarus and cars in general, I had planned on just getting a new compressor, and having it installed professionally. That would knock out a lot of issues at once, as well as necessitate a re-charge and test of the system, which could highlight other problems as well. If there are still issues after that, then I would move on to my own troubleshooting. Thank you for your comments!

Yep the t-stat housing is plastic, but it is small and thick and has much stronger/lower surface area for the same amount of system pressure to exert on it. Doesn't bother me, and I have never seen one fail I guess is the thing.

Yep, that is huge.

Agreed on all. Ron Davis is probably my favorite heat exchanger, but has no business being stuck on the front of my pedestrian sedan.

There has been plenty of love for Ron Davis, but, a $750 radiator was not one of my options.

Nor was a $3000 radiator.

What you stated was an opinion, from your perspective.

 

What he said was they see about the same failure rate at about the same mileage. He did not give details about what failed, but aluminum while it may have less stress due to heat cycling like plastic, will still fail over time. Percentage wise, plastic capped ones will probably fail more often at the plastic, but that doesn't mean all aluminum guarantees a lifetime of service.

The price difference wasn't that much and I WOULD have gone with the Koyo, but nobody could get one when I needed it. Luck of the draw

 

I think the person you quoted might just have more personal hands on experience than you.

 

From pressure testing them and measuring inlet and outlet temps I can assure you there is a huge difference!

From a materials and weld quality perspective there is also a huge difference, visually from an outside perspective only subtle from a cutting a core in half and witnessing the penetration levels and such not so much. The core density on the Koyo is not only better but also of a higher grade material.

The rest of my first hand knowledge probably isn't for forum construction but coming from somebody that used to deal with the manufacturing plant on a day to day basis at my old job I have a fairly intimate knowledge on the cores.

 

oops.


who left that flaming bag of poo on my porch?

 

 

I'm dying over here.

 

Bah don't take my comments out of context guys, I'm just posting my own experiences that is all.

To add a little I'm not saying the Mishimoto is a bad product and certainly at it's price point with it's warranty is a relative bargain all I'm saying is the Koyo at certainly not a huge price difference these days with the raised pricing is superior. I'm not sure if anyone would really appreciate any real world gains between the two either so perhaps money saved is better than money spent.

 

Well looks like it was a great week to decide on a new radiator thanks for all the opinions fellas!

 

Actually Ron Davis Radiators does have an option for 02 WRX. We've ordered at least one in the past for a customer, which means they've already got the specs needed to make bolt-on replacements for an 02-03 WRX. Give them a call and talk to them to verify they do have the information necessary to make you a rad. They should be able to give you the part #'s to place an order.

Hope that helps!

 

But but but his sn has noob in it

 

What is the price of aluminum radiators for koyo, mishimoto, Ron Davis??