Looking for advice on radiators

[elbertmurphy]

So I've been looking at replacing my radiator with an aftermarket one. I don't have the cash for a koyo and I've found reviews and youtube clips saying their fresh out of the box mishimoto's are leaking so that has steered me away a mishimoto. How are the Megan racing radiators, or the GMS ones? I know IIR sells a lot of GMS radiators, and Megan racing has some good stuff out there... Please send some advice my way

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[02wrxej208]

I would steer away from Megan, I recently purchased the GMS radiator and mishimoto thermostat combo from IIR, Josh got me a great deal and it was here in 2 days, the welds are beautiful, its clean, I have turned it upside down and no signs of any spot where it would leak. The car is out of commission for a spun bearing so I cannot contest too its effectiveness however. Also I had the right bolts laying around(stock fan bolts won't work) and the oem fans mounted right up with 0 issue. and with a lifetime gaurantee where can you go wrong?

[elbertmurphy]

Originally Posted by 02wrxej208

I would steer away from Megan, I recently purchased the GMS radiator and mishimoto thermostat combo from IIR, Josh got me a great deal and it was here in 2 days, the welds are beautiful, its clean, I have turned it upside down and no signs of any spot where it would leak. The car is out of commission for a spun bearing so I cannot contest too its effectiveness however. Also I had the right bolts laying around(stock fan bolts won't work) and the oem fans mounted right up with 0 issue. and with a lifetime gaurantee where can you go wrong?

What was the issue with the bolts not working(too big or small), and how much did the radiator and thermostat combo run you?

[Strider327]

Just get a Koyo one. If you don't have enough dough, get a credit card. Go cheap and you'll end up paying more than you originally planned for.

[02wrxej208]

Originally Posted by elbertmurphy

What was the issue with the bolts not working(too big or small), and how much did the radiator and thermostat combo run you?

different threading, same size, 225 shipped

[MisteR2rbo]

Just a little input here...the mishimoto radiator isn't a bad choice really. The leaking issue is a possibility but a little modification would fix it right up. The issue is that they're using a HUGE o-ring at the shoulder of the screw to create a face seal, but leaving the o-ring exposed after tightened down. Even if it didn't leak right out of the box, the exposure to heat, etc will dry that sucker up and leak in the future. If it was done right, there would be an undercut at the top of the threads to allow the o-ring to (1) create the right seal and (2) be enclosed in the assembly. If it were me, I would've put a relief at the internal threads, used a MUCH smaller o-ring and had an ID seal.

The reason why people are complaining about the screw being only finger tight, I believe they're assembling it dry. W/ a dry o-ring, you'll only be able to tighten it so far before friction kicks in. Throw some silicone oil or grease on that o-ring and you can tighten it down properly. This still really doesn't solve the issue though. Go out and get a drain valve w/ the same threads, a crush washer (in lieu of an o-ring) and install that instead. Oh, and forget the teflon tape...you don't need sealant on straight threads. Good luck.

[ezil71]

I've had a mishimoto for a few years with no issues at all. Quality is top notch.

IMO 'gimmick' is just that. ebay available parts rebranded. same with fms/ajw etc.

[MyOtherRideIsUrMom]

I have 10k on my mishimoto aluminum rad and no problems. My drain plug came with thread sealant paste and o ring. Tightened it down and no problems. It wasnt tightened out of the box.

[brew02wrx]

i got a fms/gms radiator when my stock one popped and i needed a new one for cheap, been on for almost a year now and ZERO problems, fitment was perfect.....i'll eventually replace it with a koyo but for now it ain't broke i aint fixin it