What's a good, lower cost radiator for a MK III?

916MKIIIx2 · 12-09-2009, 03:08 AM

Yeah, I want to upgrade if I can for the same price as the factory radiator. I just don't want to order something online and get it, only to have it fail... sending that kind of stuff back has been a real hassle for me in the past. As far as the work goes, I plan to do all of it myself, so the price range is for parts only. Any trustworthy sites you know of that I can get the parts from would be much appreciated.

cre · 12-09-2009, 03:40 AM

Well, for the transmission oil cooler I'd just order from Summit Racing or Jegs... you can probably get them for a decent price locally at a parts store too. You will have to extend the oil cooler lines and run them up to the new cooler.

Protect the hoses: Take some larger hose, slit it lengthwise, wrap it around the oil cooler hose and zip tie it in place anywhere that the hos might rub a rough edge.

The new cooler can be attached with these to the front side of the radiator, A/C condenser or the back side of the intercooler (if applicable). The coolers come in many sizes wo measure first and be sure of what size you need; if there is any doubt get one a little smaller.

I've been running a Koyo 1JZ rad for about 5 years now... never had a problem myself. Since it is for a 1JZ there is an extra threaded hole at the bottom (right next to the drain) which needs a plug (a radiator plug from a Subaru fit perfectly for me; don't remember what year and model it was from though). You also need cut a small piece of aluminum and bend it into a loose Z shape to firmly clamp the bottom of the fan cown on the left side. AND you need to trim the rubber bumpers which sit between the radiator and the frame down around an 1/8" or 1/4".

The transmission cooler is the hardest part, IMO. It only takes a couple minutes to get the radiator modded and mounted.

I bought my radiator on e-bay... I think it was just a hair over $300. The transmission oil coolers can be found for as little as $25. If you're up to the work, you can upgrade the system for less than a factory radiator costs. Don't forget there will be the expense and labor of making extension hoses.

916MKIIIx2 · 12-09-2009, 03:51 AM

Good info going to check and see all other options but its looking like im going to buy a seperate tranny cooler and mount it with an upgraded radiator, hopefully a direct fit... and I have an electric fan for a thicker radiator might just got big on the radiator and switch to an electric fan while im at it... god my gf is going to kill me, but ill be happy ^^

cre · 12-09-2009, 04:10 AM

I am not a fan (no pun intended) of electric fans... they provide little to no benefit other than looks.

916MKIIIx2 · 12-09-2009, 06:50 PM

Alright found everything I need except an A/T tranny cooler that will work with the 7MGTE, if you know of a good one send it my way, I got about $150 left on my budget and I'd like to spend pretty much exactly that and get the best one I can. Also, I can't find the correct size for the transmission cooler lines, that info would be a god send.

12-09-2009, 06:50 PM	#5
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Alright found everything I need except an A/T tranny cooler that will work with the 7MGTE, if you know of a good one send it my way, I got about $150 left on my budget and I'd like to spend pretty much exactly that and get the best one I can. Also, I can't find the correct size for the transmission cooler lines, that info would be a god send. Last edited by 916MKIIIx2; 12-09-2009 at 07:01 PM.

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12-09-2009, 03:08 AM	#1
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Yeah, I want to upgrade if I can for the same price as the factory radiator. I just don't want to order something online and get it, only to have it fail... sending that kind of stuff back has been a real hassle for me in the past. As far as the work goes, I plan to do all of it myself, so the price range is for parts only. Any trustworthy sites you know of that I can get the parts from would be much appreciated.

12-09-2009, 03:40 AM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Well, for the transmission oil cooler I'd just order from Summit Racing or Jegs... you can probably get them for a decent price locally at a parts store too. You will have to extend the oil cooler lines and run them up to the new cooler. Protect the hoses: Take some larger hose, slit it lengthwise, wrap it around the oil cooler hose and zip tie it in place anywhere that the hos might rub a rough edge. The new cooler can be attached with these to the front side of the radiator, A/C condenser or the back side of the intercooler (if applicable). The coolers come in many sizes wo measure first and be sure of what size you need; if there is any doubt get one a little smaller. I've been running a Koyo 1JZ rad for about 5 years now... never had a problem myself. Since it is for a 1JZ there is an extra threaded hole at the bottom (right next to the drain) which needs a plug (a radiator plug from a Subaru fit perfectly for me; don't remember what year and model it was from though). You also need cut a small piece of aluminum and bend it into a loose Z shape to firmly clamp the bottom of the fan cown on the left side. AND you need to trim the rubber bumpers which sit between the radiator and the frame down around an 1/8" or 1/4". The transmission cooler is the hardest part, IMO. It only takes a couple minutes to get the radiator modded and mounted. I bought my radiator on e-bay... I think it was just a hair over $300. The transmission oil coolers can be found for as little as $25. If you're up to the work, you can upgrade the system for less than a factory radiator costs. Don't forget there will be the expense and labor of making extension hoses.

12-09-2009, 03:51 AM	#3
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Good info going to check and see all other options but its looking like im going to buy a seperate tranny cooler and mount it with an upgraded radiator, hopefully a direct fit... and I have an electric fan for a thicker radiator might just got big on the radiator and switch to an electric fan while im at it... god my gf is going to kill me, but ill be happy ^^

12-09-2009, 04:10 AM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	I am not a fan (no pun intended) of electric fans... they provide little to no benefit other than looks.