Aftermarket radiator questions

[jefferson]

I am pretty sure my car needs a radiator, so I think I will go with an aftermarket aluminum one. I have seen Mishimoto and Koyo. I would like to get peoples thoughts and experiences with both. I do want a bolt in unit that hooks up everything like the original. I am going to run one from an auto parts car until I decide what to buy. All info appreciated.

Jeff

[subaru_styles]

i got a mishimoto, great fit, no problems

[TurnNburn]

I replaced mine with this one. SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # CU1819 from Rockauto.com. $90. But iv got a automatic. But its exactly the same as my stock one.

[Legacy777]

I'd suggest a standard Koyo replacement radiator. (not the racing all-aluminum radiator)

[jefferson]

I have seen where there have been problems with the welding on the Koyo aluminum units. I really haven't seen anything about the mishimoto until I searched for a radiator for the car. The radiator I have out of the parts car is a Koyo replacement. The only thing I don't like is the apparatus and weight of the automatic cooler. I am going to weigh both and see what the difference is.

Jeff

[Legacy777]

The issues you mentioned are only on the racing Koyo radiator. Koyo provides Subaru their OEM radiators. They are the ones with the plastic end caps.

[fngearhead]

I finally replaced my Koyo all aluminum after about 30k miles. I couldn't pinpoint a leak, but it always smelled of coolant and needed periodic refills. When I pulled it to put in a Mishimoto, the Koyo was completely green on the back side. It had just been sweating green for quite awhile.

[jefferson]

Something I found totally unexpected when I swapped radiators was that the Koyo replacement was right at 2lbs lighter than the stock radiator even though it had the auto trans cooler in it. I never expected that.
The stock radiator was good for 245,000 miles. Not too bad in my book.

Jeff