What's the best radiator for the price.

jonnydankness · January 24th, 2010, 12:25 AM

I did the cluch cable on my 86 mustang gt today that was burnt on my hooker competition headers. I noticed for the first time that my radiator is leaking it looks new or maybe a year or two old tops.

Seems to be leaking under the shroud, I originally thought the leak was the lower radiator hose.

What's the best bang for the buck radiator?

Seems to be leaking kinda bad like getting worse and worse.

I'm buying a house right now so kinda strapped for cash.

baine21225 · January 24th, 2010, 12:35 AM

i have a griffin and it's awesome

calgarynotch · January 24th, 2010, 12:41 AM

probably the napa premium aluminum replacement (with heavy duty cooling) in other words aluminum with plastic side tanks instead of copper core.

they are suppost to be near oem quality. and made by "spectre" i think. cooled my car right down from the original

nolife · January 24th, 2010, 08:38 AM

Best bang for the buck?
See how much your local parts places sell a stock style replacement for. A few years ago, I got one for $110. Rockauto.com has a CU138 (2 core) for $120 + shipping.

Fee · January 24th, 2010, 10:58 PM

i personally like to ebay if you want to go super cheap. I have an all aluminum 4 core radiator from "the radiator guys" that i picked up on ebay for less than 150. Pretty simple to put in as well, just have to cut a little rubber off the radiator mounts because it is thicker. If you don't really want the crazy all aluminum ones than go through like a napa or a carquest and get a regular or a heavy duty.

flattusmaximus78 · January 24th, 2010, 11:10 PM

Stay away from mushimoto.

BurninRubb3r · January 25th, 2010, 09:35 AM

I never had a problem with my 85 Mustang's Mishimoto radiator. Good people over there and great products :thumbup:

flyin ryan · January 25th, 2010, 09:50 AM

I wouldn't buy anything "spectre" made, they usually make total shit.

I have however put one of these in two of my foxes, one has a turbo the other had a novi2k and both have had zero cooling issues. The turbo car had a frpp 3 row which didn't do the job before I replaced it with one of these 2 rows.

79-93 ALUMINUM RADIATORS 1 ROW AND 2 ROW - Corral Forums

Plus not having plastic end tanks helps me sleep better at night

nolife · January 25th, 2010, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by flyin ryan

I wouldn't buy anything "spectre" made, they usually make total shit.

I have however put one of these in two of my foxes, one has a turbo the other had a novi2k and both have had zero cooling issues. The turbo car had a frpp 3 row which didn't do the job before I replaced it with one of these 2 rows.

79-93 ALUMINUM RADIATORS 1 ROW AND 2 ROW - Corral Forums

Plus not having plastic end tanks helps me sleep better at night

Agreed..
I have similar AL rad I got from Ebay in my SC'd fox, probably sourced from the same location your dude gets them. Fits perfect and looks to be built good. The stock rad was doing fine but after 20 years, it was corroded and starting leaking. I have a "Spectra" stock replacement in my other Fox body, no problems after 5 years. Probably not top quality but it was only $100 and I wanted to keep it looking stock.

FastStang91Lx · January 25th, 2010, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by flyin ryan

Plus not having plastic end tanks helps me sleep better at night

+1

whitestrk2 · February 3rd, 2010, 01:30 PM

I have a mushimoto polished alum for mine. I don't have it in yet but it looks nice as heck and only paid $200 shipped off ebay. What's wrong with mushimoto?

sickfox · February 3rd, 2010, 01:35 PM

1987 88 89 90 91 92 93 Mustang 3 Row Aluminum Radiator : eBay Motors (item 160400033536 end time Feb-10-10 03:29:27 PST)

88Saleen · February 3rd, 2010, 01:59 PM

thats a good setup ^

Longhaul5.0 · October 16th, 2011, 11:11 AM

I'm in the same boat. My original rad is leaking (153k miles) so I can't complain. To re-core is insanely expensive ($345) so am leaning tpwards Spectra. I don't need anything beyond stock cooling capabilities and the price seems very good. Just wondering about the plastic tanks? Seems like a mixed read on the thread.

shamrock81887 · October 16th, 2011, 11:32 AM

Autozone 80 bucks oem radiator i believe its aluminum too

shamrock81887 · October 16th, 2011, 11:36 AM

I believe its a spectra n it works just fine for stock applications i have had it in my car for a few months with no problems whatsoever dont piss away extra money unless you have a beastly setup that requires extra cooling

horsepowerjunkie · October 16th, 2011, 11:51 AM

I have a cheapo $120 aluminum 2 row in my Capri, I can cruise for hours in traffic with no cooling issues. But if you want a really nice radiator, go for the Ford Racing 2 core aluminum rad. That thing works awsome, but its right around $300!

Matt Cramer · October 17th, 2011, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by flyin ryan

I wouldn't buy anything "spectre" made, they usually make total shit.

Spectra Premium radiators are totally unrelated to Spectre Performance despite having very similar names. Got a Spectra Premium radiator in my daily driver; it's a Canadian made item that dropped right in.

If you're considering cheap Chinese speed parts, CX Racing radiators are pretty decent. A couple of the DIYAutoTune.com shop cars are running them.

ryanw · October 17th, 2011, 11:33 PM

Ford did a good job with the stock unit. I'd just stick with stock. Just don't buy any thing with plastic end caps

EscortSportage · October 17th, 2011, 11:53 PM

Jegs universal for ford, 160 bucks two row aluminum
Have it on my turbo fox she runs great with a 180 thermostat and black magic fan

Add some be cool and ull be even cooler!

January 24th, 2010, 12:25 AM	#1
jonnydankness Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 44 iTrader: 0 reviews	What's the best radiator for the price. I did the cluch cable on my 86 mustang gt today that was burnt on my hooker competition headers. I noticed for the first time that my radiator is leaking it looks new or maybe a year or two old tops. Seems to be leaking under the shroud, I originally thought the leak was the lower radiator hose. What's the best bang for the buck radiator? Seems to be leaking kinda bad like getting worse and worse. I'm buying a house right now so kinda strapped for cash.

January 24th, 2010, 12:35 AM	#2
baine21225 MM Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 4,349 iTrader: 1 reviews	i have a griffin and it's awesome __________________ "That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it... and it's worked out pretty well so far..."

January 24th, 2010, 08:38 AM	#4
nolife MM Fanatic 91GT, 88GT, 02GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,057 Blog Entries: 3 iTrader: 0 reviews	Best bang for the buck? See how much your local parts places sell a stock style replacement for. A few years ago, I got one for $110. Rockauto.com has a CU138 (2 core) for $120 + shipping. __________________ Last edited by nolife; January 24th, 2010 at 08:41 AM.

January 24th, 2010, 11:10 PM	#6
flattusmaximus78 I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1993 5.ohhhh 12.97 @140mph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gatorland Posts: 6,122 iTrader: 3 reviews	Stay away from mushimoto. __________________ 02 Pewter z28, hoosiers/lid/exhaust/spray...125mph 1993 gt Sold, already missed --Moates Quarter horse $225-- --Cobra intake $150-- --tremec 3550 bell and shifter $1100--

February 3rd, 2010, 01:59 PM	#13
88Saleen Enthusiast 1988 Mustang Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grand Blanc, Michigan Posts: 832 iTrader: 0 reviews	thats a good setup ^ __________________ 1988 vert - still in progress 2004 F250

January 24th, 2010, 12:41 AM	#3
calgarynotch Regular 1989 LX coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: calgary Posts: 79 iTrader: 0 reviews	probably the napa premium aluminum replacement (with heavy duty cooling) in other words aluminum with plastic side tanks instead of copper core. they are suppost to be near oem quality. and made by "spectre" i think. cooled my car right down from the original

January 24th, 2010, 10:58 PM	#5
Fee Regular 1988 Mustang GT 14.5 for now Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 62 iTrader: 0 reviews	i personally like to ebay if you want to go super cheap. I have an all aluminum 4 core radiator from "the radiator guys" that i picked up on ebay for less than 150. Pretty simple to put in as well, just have to cut a little rubber off the radiator mounts because it is thicker. If you don't really want the crazy all aluminum ones than go through like a napa or a carquest and get a regular or a heavy duty.

January 25th, 2010, 09:35 AM	#7
BurninRubb3r Regular Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 64 iTrader: 0 reviews	I never had a problem with my 85 Mustang's Mishimoto radiator. Good people over there and great products :thumbup:

January 25th, 2010, 09:50 AM	#8
flyin ryan Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,387 iTrader: 0 reviews	I wouldn't buy anything "spectre" made, they usually make total shit. I have however put one of these in two of my foxes, one has a turbo the other had a novi2k and both have had zero cooling issues. The turbo car had a frpp 3 row which didn't do the job before I replaced it with one of these 2 rows. 79-93 ALUMINUM RADIATORS 1 ROW AND 2 ROW - Corral Forums Plus not having plastic end tanks helps me sleep better at night

February 3rd, 2010, 01:30 PM	#11
whitestrk2 Regular 1992 Mustang GT 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Beloit Wi Posts: 73 iTrader: 0 reviews	I have a mushimoto polished alum for mine. I don't have it in yet but it looks nice as heck and only paid $200 shipped off ebay. What's wrong with mushimoto?

October 16th, 2011, 11:11 AM	#14
Longhaul5.0 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 14 iTrader: 0 reviews	I'm in the same boat. My original rad is leaking (153k miles) so I can't complain. To re-core is insanely expensive ($345) so am leaning tpwards Spectra. I don't need anything beyond stock cooling capabilities and the price seems very good. Just wondering about the plastic tanks? Seems like a mixed read on the thread. __________________ Converted to 5 Speed, Cervini functional Ram Air Hood, BBk Headers & Flowmasters, 3:27s

October 16th, 2011, 11:32 AM	#15
shamrock81887 Enthusiast 1993 mustang gt stock Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: utica ky Posts: 546 iTrader: 0 reviews	Autozone 80 bucks oem radiator i believe its aluminum too

October 16th, 2011, 11:36 AM	#16
shamrock81887 Enthusiast 1993 mustang gt stock Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: utica ky Posts: 546 iTrader: 0 reviews	I believe its a spectra n it works just fine for stock applications i have had it in my car for a few months with no problems whatsoever dont piss away extra money unless you have a beastly setup that requires extra cooling

October 16th, 2011, 11:51 AM	#17
horsepowerjunkie Hardcore Enthusiast 1989 Black LX---Turbo Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: just outside Minot, ND Posts: 1,153 iTrader: 0 reviews	I have a cheapo $120 aluminum 2 row in my Capri, I can cruise for hours in traffic with no cooling issues. But if you want a really nice radiator, go for the Ford Racing 2 core aluminum rad. That thing works awsome, but its right around $300! __________________ 89 LX Black, Boss 331, C4,T76BB, FAST EFI 82 Capri RS,89 5.0 HO,Comp XE266,TW 170,T5,etc. 73 Dart Sport 340, 410ci Bracket Brawler 72 Demon 340 4-speed 1 of 1667 01 Ram Quad Cab 03 Grizzley 660

October 17th, 2011, 11:33 PM	#19
ryanw I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1991 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 6,063 iTrader: 0 reviews	Ford did a good job with the stock unit. I'd just stick with stock. Just don't buy any thing with plastic end caps __________________ DART 331ci stroker, AFR 185 heads, Trick Flow R intake, Accufab 70mm tb, 75mm pro m Maf, 30lb injectors, jba headers, 2 1/2" x pipe flowmaster super 10 mufflers, 255 fuel pump, 3:27 gears

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October 17th, 2011, 11:53 PM	#20
EscortSportage Hardcore Enthusiast 1989 Mustang GT 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT Posts: 2,186 iTrader: 0 reviews	Jegs universal for ford, 160 bucks two row aluminum Have it on my turbo fox she runs great with a 180 thermostat and black magic fan Add some be cool and ull be even cooler! __________________ Cage Maximum Motorsports Sparco QH/BE Nitto "a huge bad azz motor is nice untill you have to turn or stop"

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