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)?
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Radiators: Oem Vs Oe Replacement
Started by phonetxt, Feb 03 2010 10:59 PM
9 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 03 February 2010 - 10:59 PM
#2
Posted 03 February 2010 - 11:14 PM
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.
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.
#3
Posted 04 February 2010 - 12:12 AM
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 $$ back.
I had an aftermarket HF radiator in my 1985 turbo SI and it ran cooler than the full length SI radiator (probably due to it was further from he heat source).
Here is one with lifetime warranty for example.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...sQ5fAccessories
Best thing If the caps don't fit or it's not what youy like take it back and get your $$ 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
#4
Posted 04 February 2010 - 12:23 AM
my OEM 1/2 size rad has plastic tanks
QUOTE (kjeffery @ Apr 17 2009, 06:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yet again Scott, you have all the answers
QUOTE (cbstdscott @ Apr 17 2009, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No. All the answers are in the Kakabox build thread.
QUOTE (Lymitliss @ May 26 2009, 08:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ohh yeah I guess that makes sense. King Kaymo has all the answers
#5
Posted 04 February 2010 - 01:00 AM
QUOTE (kaymo @ Feb 4 2010, 12:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
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...
#6
Posted 04 February 2010 - 03:07 AM
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
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
#7
Posted 04 February 2010 - 09:45 AM
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
#8
Guest_-TJ_*
Posted 04 February 2010 - 10:07 AM
QUOTE (Old School REX @ Feb 3 2010, 11:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Really?? Hmmm, I could be wrong but I have never personally seen a factory rad with plastic tanks. That is unfortunate...
Honda started using radiators with plastic tanks in 1988, in the Civic line at least - my '88 Civic DX has one.
#9
Posted 04 February 2010 - 10:44 AM
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.
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.
#10
Posted 04 February 2010 - 11:28 AM
QUOTE (Old School REX @ Feb 4 2010, 01:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
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
If you love the Elise, drive a Se7en - Caterham or whatever...
It has even less content than the Elise, is less graceful looking
...and changes direction like a ping pong ball whacked by Thor.