Finally picking up the hatch today from the body shop and the next thing I need to take care of so I can get it in "running order" is a radiator. I could buy a Honda OEM one, or get one online at any one of the numerous radiator websites and get an aftermarket direct replacement for half the cost, or I could buy a Fluidyne radiator.

Is a performance radiator like a Fluidyne really necessary? This hatch will be competitively road raced, so performance is a concern.... but, I could go through 3-4 aftermarket cheap radiators for the price of one fluidyne if I remember correctly from my search a couple months ago.

Or is there a happy medium? Recommendations?

BTW: if I get a radiator to fit my Si with it's current D16, there won't be any fitment / connection issues when I swap to a B16/B18 later will there?

thanks guys
(I'm so excited about going to pick up the little hatchy today!)

 

stick with the OEM rad

and with the money you've saved - get a nice external oil cooler

 

I would suggest a stock size but perhaps with an extra core added. Most radiator shops can get/fabricat this for not too much money. Then remove the cooling fans (if allowed by the rules) and you should have plenty of room.

Definitely add an oil cooler when you get the time/money.

 

I use a generic stock replacement on my RX-7. No cooling problems. As long as the car runs at the proper temp, no need to upgrade. Also less money wasted when a piece of somebody's car goes through it.

 

The fluidyne is a beautiful piece, I have one in the garage now for a customer with a 400 whp Si, but for your application you don't need it. What you might want to get is one of the OEM "Performance" radiators...the Del Sol VTEC had a dual core radiator, and the 96-00 Civic EX Automatic had a dual core radiator, with smaller outlets to match the hose size of the D series, but you can squeeze d series hoses onto a B series rad and vise versa. Cost is much lower than a fluidyne, but better cooling than a stock 1 row.

 

the 90 si rad is a dual core rad.
A great direct replacement is one from a automatic, 90 integra RS/GS.
Veryt hick and would do a great job cooling a d16

 

you guys rock, bottom line.
thanks so much for the valuable info!!


-ben, who's been saying "...bottom line" a lot lately for some reason

 

I've the same issue, except its my '92 Si. I almost sprung for a new del Sol VTEC radiator today, but this thread came up. Anyone know if the hose necks of the two are the same? Farther down there was mention of being able to stretch the '90 hose over the dS radiator, but I'm looking for a perfect fit.

 

Get a OE Civic EX Automatic radiator. It's the same size but twice as thick. I have one in the DX and ran the car pretty hard this summer with zero cooling issues. Temp gauge never went above 1/2.

 

for the 92 or the 90? or does it matter?

Civic EX auto, or Integra RS/LS auto? (and why auto?)

 

okay - got my 90 integra radiator. the new radiator is twice as thick, i guess that's good! i've got the old radiator removed, and when I went to put in the new one I found it has 2 stems on the bottom that can unscrew that are not found on the Si radiator i took out. do i to unscrew the stems and cap those or something? (hell if i know what i'm doing)

also, do i need the fans on here? with the radiator being twice as thick i'm worried about it all fitting back in there.