I've got a '90 SI HB (124K miles) and it's radiator is starting to leak around the top where the plastic is crimpped on. I want a better solution and found a Koyo all aluminium race radiator. It wasn't cheap at all compared to what's out there, but it was still less than dealers want for basic OEM replacements. I got it yesterday, it's a beautiful thing, built like all radiators should be. HOWEVER... it's not going to fit with the AC and factory fan shroud on there. It's about 1/2 too thick. The seller claimed it was a direct bolt in OEM replacement, but I thnk they just pasted that from another Koyo (non race) radiator talking points.

SO... Anyone know an all aluminium rad. that's thin enough to fit where the factory one is?

Or know how to make the Koyo fit with a minimum of fuss? I actually don't think it's possible, but someone may have gotten it to work.

Should I get a plastic or a brass/copper topped one. What is the best direct fit radiator for the EF? I want this to be the last radiator and I want to double the cars mileage over the next ten years.

 

If you want to double the mileage, I would stick with a stock or stock style radiator. Having a thicker, larger capacity radiator isn't going to help in any way except lighten your wallet. If the seller made a claim that wasn't true, return the product, no need spending extra time and money on getting it to fit right or buying aftermarket fans and such. If you said you were planning on running boost, then by all means, keep that radiator, but if mileage is key, stick closer to stock.

 

Thicker, or larger capacity isn't what I'm after. Something that's built really well without plastic is what I'm after. I've found some other OEM replacements that have copper tanks. But I hear there are problems with that (disimilar metals, electrolytic corrosion and bonding issues).

I just want a nicely crafted all aluminum unit that fits exactly into the OEM spot. Anyone heard of or seen one?

 

you dont want to go with one of the half radiators you could probably get a race one that was cheaper than oem and have the room for evrything else i think they are from a 96 - 00 civic or something like that.

 

Visteon plastic/aluminum OEM style. $109 shipped from http://www.radiatorworld.com Works with both Sanden and Matshita A/Cs

 

koyo on my engine bay.

no A/C. but i used the factory cooling fan and shroud.

 

http://coolradiator.com/HPAHondaCRX.htm

 

If you want a stock rad that has a larger capactity and fits like stock get a integra 90-93 rad. it is the same dimensions but is double the thickness and my rad fan bolted right on, didnt have ac so I dont know if that one would work. I you still have the d-series motor in you will have to strech the hoses a bit because the water outlets are slightly larger for the b-series motor

 

I bought this -

Absolute Radiators

High Performance All-Metal(brass/copper) Radiator
for 88-91 Honda Civic/CRX



It's all metal (the top and bottom tanks are brass). It's got two rows of fins so it's bigger than OEM. It drops right in, even the OEM air cleaner will bolt up. I had no problem putting the OEM cooling and AC fans on it. I've heard that a header won't clear the fans with the two row so if you've got a header go with the all metal one row. Also they have the same radiator in aluminum.