Okay, so the radiator on my 95 LS is shot, so I'm looking in to buying a new one. I'm not too familiar with cars, but I plan on installing it myself (with the help of some friends). I'd like something that with an OEM fit, because I'm not so good at ghetto-fabrication. After doing some reading, this is what I've come up with.

Radiatorbarn radiators fit and perform like OEM, but I've read mixed reviews of them. Some report that they only last a few years due to poor construction, while others claim to get great life out of them. On the upside, they're cheap, at about $100-$150.

Expensive all-alluminum radiators (like Koyo, Fluidyne) perform incredibly, and fit like OEM, but are very costly, at about $300. However, these will probably outlast the car, and their cooling performance is top-notch.

So, do I take the easy, cheap route and go with a radiatorbarn, or do I do it right the first time and go with a Koyo or Fluidyne?

Also, what kind of fans will I need for these radiators? I have AC, and I plan on a header in the future. I've read about half-sized radiators, but they require custom mounts, which is not appealing. I would like to go turbo some day, but it will most likely never happen.

One more thing; is there any other work I should look at doing while the radiator is out? Maybe new hoses?

 

Bump, still looking for answers.

 

You probably have read some of my posts already too, so I guess it is enough said. That CSF sold by Radiator barns and others have 2 version, the copper one sucks in fit and finish and quality looks cheap, the fan fitting on the AC is the one that worries me. Since it won't hold the fan in the bottom mount the rattle on the upper 2 may cause the top to weaken and leak (I suspect thats why others have this problem near the area). I personally put tons of bathtub corking to hold it in place, but I don't think you should do this if you are considering a NEW radiator, no body should.

The plastic OEM radiator seems ok, they fit like OEM and all and I would say go for it if you want. Another option is the plastic replacement from Koyo, not the alum one like all the others said (because you may have to give up AC and won't work with auto tranny). They are around $170 to $250 last time I looked.

 

i got one of those cheap oem style replacements from rad barn last year, and it seems to hold up pretty good. it has a lifetime warranty i think, so if it breaks you can just get it replaced

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PandaBear &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You probably have read some of my posts already too, so I guess it is enough said. That CSF sold by Radiator barns and others have 2 version, the copper one sucks in fit and finish and quality looks cheap, the fan fitting on the AC is the one that worries me. Since it won't hold the fan in the bottom mount the rattle on the upper 2 may cause the top to weaken and leak (I suspect thats why others have this problem near the area). I personally put tons of bathtub corking to hold it in place, but I don't think you should do this if you are considering a NEW radiator, no body should.

The plastic OEM radiator seems ok, they fit like OEM and all and I would say go for it if you want. Another option is the plastic replacement from Koyo, not the alum one like all the others said (because you may have to give up AC and won't work with auto tranny). They are around $170 to $250 last time I looked.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My Integra has a manual transmission, so that isn't a problem. How will I know if I have to lose my AC? I don't really use it anyway (I feel a huge loss of power when I have it on; is this normal?).

I'm also still in the dark about fans. Will I need slim fans?

 

you should check out http://www.coolradiator.com/. I got mine there for my turbo gsr. the all aluminum one works great for me,plus I get to keep a/c. But I also got the dual slim fans from FAL. anyways it only cost me bout 260. You can get it on ebay too.