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

BillW · 12-08-2009, 11:25 PM

Does anyone have any advice on a good radiator for a MK III non turbo, auto? The Toyota radiator is $426 and I really don't want to spend that much. Napa has a Modine radiator for $139. It is a four day delivery and I was hoping to get it a little sooner. Any ideas?

I have gotten two radiators from partsgeek.com, a Koyo which leaked, and a CFS raditor which looked like it had already been used. I plan on returning both.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

916MKIIIx2 · 12-08-2009, 11:39 PM

I'm in the same boat as this guy if anyone knows a good low priced 7MGTE A/T radiator it'd be damn helpful.

Krem · 12-08-2009, 11:57 PM

depends on what you're looking for... I was pricing mk3 radiators for my 87 last week and found plastics for ~$120, metal for ~$200 and aluminum for ~$300... any of those, however, are cheaper than what the factory wants.. hope it helps. Also, my source was http://shopping.google.com

cre · 12-09-2009, 12:30 AM

Please do be aware/keep in mind that the auto's radiator also has a transmission cooler built into the lower end tank. A replacement will most likely cost more than one without. You may install a separate transmission cooler however allowing you to use whatever radiator you wish.

916MKIIIx2 · 12-09-2009, 01:59 AM

Yeah my biggest concern is finding a radiator that will work with the a/t, and im pretty much limited to about $400 since im poor and already spent money on other parts for the project car earlier in the week. Any sites with price listings would be helpful ^^

cre · 12-09-2009, 02:21 AM

CSF and Koyo are both brands I trust; I have not used OEM replacement radiators made by either though.

A "relatively" inexpensive upgrade (for those wanting to go that route) is the Koyo performance radiator for the 1JZ and adding a $40 transmission fluid cooler. Along with extending the transmission fluid lines I imagine that if you shopped around and did your own work you could do it for about $400.

The stock Toyota radiator IS rebuildable too. If the parts are available, ordering what you need along with new seals and having a radiator shop reassemble and pressure test it is going to be the mid-priced option.

The parts catalogs list a different part number for GE radiators and GTE radiators.. I do not know what the differences are there, most likely it's a capacity thing.

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.

12-08-2009, 11:25 PM	#1
BillW Stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: East Brunswick NJ Posts: 16	What's a good, lower cost radiator for a MK III? Does anyone have any advice on a good radiator for a MK III non turbo, auto? The Toyota radiator is $426 and I really don't want to spend that much. Napa has a Modine radiator for $139. It is a four day delivery and I was hoping to get it a little sooner. Any ideas? I have gotten two radiators from partsgeek.com, a Koyo which leaked, and a CFS raditor which looked like it had already been used. I plan on returning both. Thanks for any help you can give me. Last edited by cre; 12-09-2009 at 02:24 AM. Reason: Text formatting.

12-09-2009, 01:59 AM	#5
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Yeah my biggest concern is finding a radiator that will work with the a/t, and im pretty much limited to about $400 since im poor and already spent money on other parts for the project car earlier in the week. Any sites with price listings would be helpful ^^ Last edited by 916MKIIIx2; 12-09-2009 at 02:07 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Anyone compared good 4" to good 5" or 6" spkrs in the front?	wdb	Car Audio and Alarms	4	07-29-2010 09:57 PM
Cost effective? Need some major advice here!	Devoted2Supra	MKIII Supra	6	04-13-2009 02:35 PM
Who has the best quality stuff?	ozsupra	Car Audio and Alarms	51	12-24-2008 11:29 AM

12-08-2009, 11:39 PM	#2
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	I'm in the same boat as this guy if anyone knows a good low priced 7MGTE A/T radiator it'd be damn helpful.

12-08-2009, 11:57 PM	#3
Krem 3" Exhaust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 167	depends on what you're looking for... I was pricing mk3 radiators for my 87 last week and found plastics for ~$120, metal for ~$200 and aluminum for ~$300... any of those, however, are cheaper than what the factory wants.. hope it helps. Also, my source was http://shopping.google.com

12-09-2009, 12:30 AM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Please do be aware/keep in mind that the auto's radiator also has a transmission cooler built into the lower end tank. A replacement will most likely cost more than one without. You may install a separate transmission cooler however allowing you to use whatever radiator you wish.

12-09-2009, 02:21 AM	#6
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	CSF and Koyo are both brands I trust; I have not used OEM replacement radiators made by either though. A "relatively" inexpensive upgrade (for those wanting to go that route) is the Koyo performance radiator for the 1JZ and adding a $40 transmission fluid cooler. Along with extending the transmission fluid lines I imagine that if you shopped around and did your own work you could do it for about $400. The stock Toyota radiator IS rebuildable too. If the parts are available, ordering what you need along with new seals and having a radiator shop reassemble and pressure test it is going to be the mid-priced option. The parts catalogs list a different part number for GE radiators and GTE radiators.. I do not know what the differences are there, most likely it's a capacity thing.

12-09-2009, 03:08 AM	#7
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	#8
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	#9
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	#10
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.