9 replies to this topic

[phonetxt]

I am looking to get a half-sized radiator, but Medieval-Pro is out of my price range. I have also pmed evers87crxsi about his hf radiator. He said 90 plus shipping and handling, which i think is a fair price. But, I have also searched around and found an OE replacement radiator (manufacturer: CSF) here for 68. I am waiting to find out if evers87crxsi's radiator is OEM. So in the mean time i was wondering...

Are there any differences between OEM and OE replacement radiators (specifically CSF)?

[DEIVIONCRX]

The only problem with aftermarket radiators is build quality. Usually i see on the ones ill order for my customers is Plastic end tanks when OEM was metal, factory radiator caps not fitting, having to use a off the shelf random cap from Autozone etc.

But my biggest beef is usually the difference in fin count. If you'll compare usually you'll notice the aftermarket ones have a good bit less amount of fins, just as a cost saving measure, so your actually getting less cooling property's.

Same reason i wont buy Aftermarket heater cores, you get less heat.

Basically if its a stock application your probably fine, but if its something your already having heat issues, or something your trying to cut off before it gets that far id probably lean towards a OEM application.

[RARECRX]

Find one at autozone or another local radiator place for a little more, like $100.. They have a lifetime warranty .. Can't beat that.. breaks/leaks go get a new one. Sometimes you may get lucky or just ask If they have metal tanks available. Plastic tanks suck and leak at the seam all the time..

Best thing If the caps don't fit or it's not what youy like take it back and get your $$ back.

I had an aftermarket HF radiator in my 1985 turbo SI and it ran cooler than the full length SI radiator (probably due to it was further from he heat source).

Here is one with lifetime warranty for example.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...sQ5fAccessories

[kaymo]

my OEM 1/2 size rad has plastic tanks

[Old School REX]

my OEM 1/2 size rad has plastic tanks

Really?? Hmmm, I could be wrong but I have never personally seen a factory rad with plastic tanks. That is unfortunate...

[Rampage]

Thats a really good deal for 68 bucks.

My response to Aftermarket vs. OE is that automotive manufacturing has come a LONG way in 25 years. I think with the better quality control and effectiveness of manufacturing a replacement radiator will easily exceed an OE piece.

That doesn't take into effect cutting of materials in key areas to save on price.

Having said that I still think a new unit will out-perform a good used one, especially when it comes to heat dissipation of a radiator, what with the used one being full of dirt and who knows what else.

If you can find a non-painted, aluminum finned/plastic tank rad I think you would have found the most effective and lightweight solution... I have one in my EF and it cost me about 100 bucks, works perfectly!

Cheers,
Mark

[kodi191]

hay have anyone ever thought about useing a geo metro raditor they are about the same size as half with hf raditors so i thank if you could mount it it would do just fine

[pvbcrx]

I believe I have that same CSF HF 1/2 width radiator in my lightly-modded CRX, and it cools just fine.

Warning: The CRX Si fan did not bolt directly onto all of the HF radiator's fan mounting points; presumably this is the same situation for the Civic Si. I had to fab up some simple adapters for two locations. A couple metal strips and a few nuts & bolts did the trick.

There's no problem with installation of the 1/2 width radiator itself - it fits into the same rubber mounts as the full-width.

[jsgprod]

Really?? Hmmm, I could be wrong but I have never personally seen a factory rad with plastic tanks. That is unfortunate...

Kaymo's correct about the 84 1.3 radiators. The OE one that came in the old 1.3 CRX I used to own had plastic tanks on it also.

Jay