Radiator: Koyo vs PWR vs Mishimoto vs - Page 2

gr8 · 11-05-2009, 02:42 PM

Have a koyo with a txs frontmount, never leaked, samco hoses never touched anything and the temp gauge never went up above normal during any road racing or autox in any outside temp. It takes forever to warmup in the winter though lol.

Slowboy · 11-05-2009, 04:10 PM

+1 For the Mishimoto. Badass Radiator for cheap money!

Chris B.
SBR Inc.

ekw · 11-05-2009, 05:15 PM

put on a Mishimoto 5 months or so ago (5700 miles).
excellent fitment, temps are fine, no leaks or complaints.

Fine Line Imports · 11-05-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oversteer

I would like to maximum cooling efficiency from the largest and best stock location replacement rad available. My FMIC blocks a lot of airflow and on the track the coolant temps start to climb after a few laps.

Is there a consensus as to which company makes the highest quality, best performing rads for our cars?

These are the brands I have found.
Koyo
PWR
Mishimoto
Fluidyne
Ron Davis - not sure

I can say without a doubt in my mind like someone else posted here that the Ron Davis radiator is one of the best if not the best radiator available for you Subaru. Having seen all the radiators you have listed in person on our dyno the Ron Davis out performs the others by leaps and bounds in my opinion. Fitment is top notch and performance is unbeatable for the money.

Ryan

rbahr · 11-06-2009, 09:16 AM

I have been running a Koyo radiator for ~3 years now - no problems at all. On the installation side, the top hose will rub a little on the small pipe that crosses back - easily fixed, the coolant overflow needs a bit of massaging to fit back, other than that no problems with any leaks or fitment. seems to help, along with a mostly water with some water wetter mixture.

I also have an oil cooler and tranny cooler in front of the radiator

Ray

coolblue05 · 11-06-2009, 09:27 AM

I am using a Koyo as well. Great quality, and good cooling as well. No problems whatsoever.

gtasti · 11-06-2009, 11:48 AM

maybe we should stat what kinda temps we're getting with each rad

mine seem to be the same on the cobb reading with the mishimoto

IMPORTIMAGE · 11-06-2009, 01:29 PM

gms works nicely i've sold over 200 of them on the higher end the pwr is pretty nice i had one on one of my sti's.

i would say that if you had a fully built car looking for the most hp then sure the higher end radiator may be worth it.
if you want a radiator with a warranty, cools very well (much much better quality then stock) and save some money and check out the mishimoto...gms...etc

jays05 · 11-06-2009, 02:42 PM

I have a koyo radiator and samco hoses, and the upper hose needed to be trimmed to keep it from rubbing.

GullyWagon07 · 11-06-2009, 08:57 PM

koyo ftw.

hbspeed has done coolant tests on a wrx with koyo and mishimoto, results werent dramatically different, but mishimoto kept coolant cooler than koyo by 1-2 degrees.

Koyo ftw still!

fastwrx25 · 11-06-2009, 09:52 PM

tangent: for you guys looking at radiator hoses consider the blue gates racing rad hoses. I got mine for ~50 shipped on ebay, great fitment, sturdier that stock and I didn't need to trim anything. Only prob is that they don't match the other blue silicone hoses in the engine bay.

arch4life · 11-06-2009, 10:24 PM

seriously.

a radiator is a radiator. replace the stock one when the plastic endtanks break. 99% of everyone in this thread will never actually need an aftermarket radiator for their car. but they will buy it, and they will read this thread to determine which one has the best flow characteristics for their daily commute.

these dual core aluminums are such overkill anyway, no need for massive amounts of R&D and design work, when its really a simple, proven design that works time and time again.

buy a cheap one that does not leak and has good welds. make sure you polish it so your friends can oogle at it. done.

CKxx · 11-07-2009, 02:24 PM

What is the point of a 160* t-stat? Does your oil even get to the correct operating temperature?

Colder must be better right? I'm gonna take my thermostat out.

aboothman · 11-07-2009, 04:06 PM

I was able to get a Koyo for +$120 shipped over the Mishimoto, and I think +$150 more than the GMS.

It was worth the extra in my opinion.

Thursday1999 · 11-08-2009, 02:03 PM

I think someone on the first page said that there were reports of people running hot with the mishimoto rad. While others ran fine. After I installed my mishimoto I started to run hot and almost overheated a few times. I'm not blowing smoke on start up nor losing coolant, and I've replaced the t-stat. Still runs hot. I wonder if it's the radiator itself.

Eddie

arch4life · 11-08-2009, 02:26 PM

or perhaps you are not skilled enough to install a radiator correctly.

<running a mishimoto with no problems what so ever.

owned.

IMPORTIMAGE · 11-08-2009, 02:28 PM

the only times i've seen people have issues with the mishimoto is when they buy the aftermarket fans. they do not compensate for the 2nd speed that the factory fans have. so AC + traffic = too hot
(or if its got a bubble, but any radiator can have that)

Thursday1999 · 11-08-2009, 02:36 PM

Yeah. Owned.

It's installed properly

Edit: thanks Import, yeah it's been burped and flushed a few times
guess it time for a leakdown, maybe it's the headgasket

rexspeedmaster · 11-08-2009, 02:36 PM

I have the koyo and it works great. Excellent fit and easy install, plus it holds 2x the amount of coolant and is like 3x as thick as stock.

arch4life · 11-08-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thursday1999

Yeah. Owned.

It's installed properly

Edit: thanks Import, yeah it's been burped and flushed a few times
guess it time for a leakdown, maybe it's the headgasket

i guess you cant actually say whats causing it until you find out the solution to the problem? lol.

IMPORTIMAGE · 11-08-2009, 03:11 PM

just putting that fan notice out there, it surprises me how many people think that upgrading the fans will help, but if mishimoto did a little research on the vehicle they'd know that the fans they are selling only hurt it

arch4life · 11-08-2009, 03:15 PM

they are the "ultra slim" fans right? pretty lame. i can understand it being their "your core is too thick my stock fans wont fit anymore" solution. Although it is a poor solution..

IMPORTIMAGE · 11-08-2009, 04:09 PM

whatever you want to call it. this is the specific kit for 02-07 wrx/sti "fan shroud kit" complete with fans. i've had a few customers with overheating problems due to this kit

vs just leaving your fans stock.

they fit with stock fans. so why change them?

Uncle Scotty · 11-08-2009, 04:34 PM

...yeah....those 'slim' fans suck....throw them away

JSarv · 11-08-2009, 04:46 PM

I run push and pull Slim Fans on my Honda (no name very very slim fan to fit the H in a Civic) and they work awesome- Considering in the dead of winter I idle above 200*F. I think they are $30 each + shipping.

11-08-2009, 02:36 PM	#43
Thursday1999 Scooby Newbie Member#: 139287 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Santa Clarita ca Vehicle: 2007 STi black, Built By HB Speed	Yeah. Owned. It's installed properly Edit: thanks Import, yeah it's been burped and flushed a few times guess it time for a leakdown, maybe it's the headgasket Last edited by Thursday1999; 11-08-2009 at 02:42 PM.

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11-05-2009, 02:42 PM	#26
gr8 Scooby Newbie Member#: 163375 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicagoland Vehicle: 2004 Sti PSM	Have a koyo with a txs frontmount, never leaked, samco hoses never touched anything and the temp gauge never went up above normal during any road racing or autox in any outside temp. It takes forever to warmup in the winter though lol.

11-05-2009, 04:10 PM	#27
Slowboy NASIOC Vendor Member#: 33839 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Orlando, FL Vehicle: 2005 STI 570 WHP Black	+1 For the Mishimoto. Badass Radiator for cheap money! Chris B. SBR Inc.

11-05-2009, 05:15 PM	#28
ekw Scooby Specialist Member#: 92141 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: West GROVE PA!! Vehicle: 2004 WRB STi - TiC, Kartboy, RCE & Cobb	put on a Mishimoto 5 months or so ago (5700 miles). excellent fitment, temps are fine, no leaks or complaints.

11-06-2009, 09:16 AM	#30
rbahr Scooby Specialist Member#: 40671 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Boston, ma Vehicle: 2006 STI, Outback XT Grey, Blue	I have been running a Koyo radiator for ~3 years now - no problems at all. On the installation side, the top hose will rub a little on the small pipe that crosses back - easily fixed, the coolant overflow needs a bit of massaging to fit back, other than that no problems with any leaks or fitment. seems to help, along with a mostly water with some water wetter mixture. I also have an oil cooler and tranny cooler in front of the radiator Ray

11-06-2009, 09:27 AM	#31
coolblue05 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 39169 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: near Toledo, OH Vehicle: 2005 STi ss/gt widebody	I am using a Koyo as well. Great quality, and good cooling as well. No problems whatsoever.

11-06-2009, 11:48 AM	#32
gtasti Scooby Specialist Member#: 152036 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ontario Vehicle: 2004 Sti PSM	maybe we should stat what kinda temps we're getting with each rad mine seem to be the same on the cobb reading with the mishimoto

11-06-2009, 01:29 PM	#33
IMPORTIMAGE NASIOC Vendor Member#: 79304 Join Date: Jan 2005 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Cape Coral, FL Vehicle: 2009 Drive to work @ importimageracing.com	gms works nicely i've sold over 200 of them on the higher end the pwr is pretty nice i had one on one of my sti's. i would say that if you had a fully built car looking for the most hp then sure the higher end radiator may be worth it. if you want a radiator with a warranty, cools very well (much much better quality then stock) and save some money and check out the mishimoto...gms...etc

11-06-2009, 02:42 PM	#34
jays05 Scooby Specialist Member#: 78165 Join Date: Dec 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: SC - 05 STI Vehicle: 10.7 @ 132 @ 116oct Jr Tuned FTW Brooo	I have a koyo radiator and samco hoses, and the upper hose needed to be trimmed to keep it from rubbing.

11-06-2009, 08:57 PM	#35
GullyWagon07 Scooby Specialist Member#: 164171 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: OC Vehicle: 08 EvoX <3 Wagon rear prodrive plate frame	koyo ftw. hbspeed has done coolant tests on a wrx with koyo and mishimoto, results werent dramatically different, but mishimoto kept coolant cooler than koyo by 1-2 degrees. Koyo ftw still!

11-06-2009, 09:52 PM	#36
fastwrx25 Scooby Specialist Member#: 126441 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: california Vehicle: 02 bugeye	tangent: for you guys looking at radiator hoses consider the blue gates racing rad hoses. I got mine for ~50 shipped on ebay, great fitment, sturdier that stock and I didn't need to trim anything. Only prob is that they don't match the other blue silicone hoses in the engine bay.

11-06-2009, 10:24 PM	#37
arch4life Scooby Newbie Member#: 172588 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago and central Mich Vehicle: 2005 saab 9-2x sti Black	seriously. a radiator is a radiator. replace the stock one when the plastic endtanks break. 99% of everyone in this thread will never actually need an aftermarket radiator for their car. but they will buy it, and they will read this thread to determine which one has the best flow characteristics for their daily commute. these dual core aluminums are such overkill anyway, no need for massive amounts of R&D and design work, when its really a simple, proven design that works time and time again. buy a cheap one that does not leak and has good welds. make sure you polish it so your friends can oogle at it. done.

11-07-2009, 02:24 PM	#38
CKxx Scooby Specialist Member#: 33458 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: West Chester, PA Vehicle: 1988 Justy 1.2L 4WD 2002 WRX 2.1L AWD	What is the point of a 160* t-stat? Does your oil even get to the correct operating temperature? Colder must be better right? I'm gonna take my thermostat out.

11-07-2009, 04:06 PM	#39
aboothman Scooby Specialist Member#: 127745 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Humboldt County Vehicle: 06 WRX VF-39'ed OBP with a 6 speed	I was able to get a Koyo for +$120 shipped over the Mishimoto, and I think +$150 more than the GMS. It was worth the extra in my opinion.

11-08-2009, 02:03 PM	#40
Thursday1999 Scooby Newbie Member#: 139287 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Santa Clarita ca Vehicle: 2007 STi black, Built By HB Speed	I think someone on the first page said that there were reports of people running hot with the mishimoto rad. While others ran fine. After I installed my mishimoto I started to run hot and almost overheated a few times. I'm not blowing smoke on start up nor losing coolant, and I've replaced the t-stat. Still runs hot. I wonder if it's the radiator itself. Eddie

11-08-2009, 02:26 PM	#41
arch4life Scooby Newbie Member#: 172588 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago and central Mich Vehicle: 2005 saab 9-2x sti Black	or perhaps you are not skilled enough to install a radiator correctly. <running a mishimoto with no problems what so ever. owned.

11-08-2009, 02:28 PM	#42
IMPORTIMAGE NASIOC Vendor Member#: 79304 Join Date: Jan 2005 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Cape Coral, FL Vehicle: 2009 Drive to work @ importimageracing.com	the only times i've seen people have issues with the mishimoto is when they buy the aftermarket fans. they do not compensate for the 2nd speed that the factory fans have. so AC + traffic = too hot (or if its got a bubble, but any radiator can have that)

11-08-2009, 02:36 PM	#44
rexspeedmaster Scooby Specialist Member#: 123103 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Vehicle: 2003 WRX Full 07 STI trans	I have the koyo and it works great. Excellent fit and easy install, plus it holds 2x the amount of coolant and is like 3x as thick as stock.

11-08-2009, 03:11 PM	#46
IMPORTIMAGE NASIOC Vendor Member#: 79304 Join Date: Jan 2005 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Cape Coral, FL Vehicle: 2009 Drive to work @ importimageracing.com	just putting that fan notice out there, it surprises me how many people think that upgrading the fans will help, but if mishimoto did a little research on the vehicle they'd know that the fans they are selling only hurt it

11-08-2009, 03:15 PM	#47
arch4life Scooby Newbie Member#: 172588 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago and central Mich Vehicle: 2005 saab 9-2x sti Black	they are the "ultra slim" fans right? pretty lame. i can understand it being their "your core is too thick my stock fans wont fit anymore" solution. Although it is a poor solution..

11-08-2009, 04:09 PM	#48
IMPORTIMAGE NASIOC Vendor Member#: 79304 Join Date: Jan 2005 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Cape Coral, FL Vehicle: 2009 Drive to work @ importimageracing.com	whatever you want to call it. this is the specific kit for 02-07 wrx/sti "fan shroud kit" complete with fans. i've had a few customers with overheating problems due to this kit vs just leaving your fans stock. they fit with stock fans. so why change them?

11-08-2009, 04:34 PM	#49
Uncle Scotty Scooby Guru Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: tic- toc the countdown has started	...yeah....those 'slim' fans suck....throw them away

11-08-2009, 04:46 PM	#50
JSarv NASIOC Supporter Member#: 163445 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Effingham IL (Central IL) Vehicle: l33t ******* 12.07@115.9mph-EJ205	I run push and pull Slim Fans on my Honda (no name very very slim fan to fit the H in a Civic) and they work awesome- Considering in the dead of winter I idle above 200*F. I think they are $30 each + shipping.