Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

I'm gonna do some needed maintenance on my engine (valve cover gaskets) and since I've been thinking about upgrading my radiator I figured now might be a good time to knock it all out at once.

Of course there's a hundred places I can by an oe or aftermarket radiator but I've always liked the look of an aluminum radiator. Has anyone ever made one for the LS? Or perhaps an SC or Supra aluminum rad might work?

dicer

A radiator is not a "how good it looks deal" its a how good it works deal. And unless your going to drive around with your hood off who cares what it looks like? I would prefer a full brass radiator without plastic tanks, not for the looks but for the durability. I would not want aluminum because you can't solder it as far as I know. I think they are all epoxied together. I like durability not looks of something you rarely see.

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

These days, the heat exchangers in radiators are made of Aluminum by default (not the tank, etc. though). Even Denso. The original ones (my '91 had a Denso in it when new) were mostly Copper, but due to its high cost now, if you buy one of those it will cost ~$400+.

In October, I replaced the slightly leaking original one with a Spectra Premium CU1304 Radiator from RockAuto. Despite the CU in the part number, it was Aluminum. Perfect fit. Much lighter than the original (Aluminum vs. Copper). Cost around $100.

And regarding "the look of an aluminum radiator" - I know some custom car parts look cool, but once installed, you'll never see this thing.

Good time to replace your radiator hoses too, if those are original. I think one of mine started to leak at around 180k miles.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for your useful input, Dicer. No wonder I wasn't getting any results on the interwebs when I searched for: "good-looking aluminum radiators that don't work". Thanks buddy.

python

iTrader: (4)

we sell spectra at work...chinese junk!

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

It looked good to me. Fit perfectly. Everything seemed high quality. But of course, I have not tested it beyond the few months it has been installed.

I had originally bought a Denso from RockAuto, but it was damaged so I returned it, and stepped up one level in price, hoping for better quality with this one. Online reviews appeared very positive.

So if you don't like these, which do you like?

python

iTrader: (4)

denso...or koyo

RA40

iTrader: (6)

To chime in the Denso that was installed in ours is Taiwan made.

python

iTrader: (4)

i know..but i sell denso..have a koyo in my 92 and do all the returns at work,i know what parts fail. been doing it for over a decade...spectra sux. but,they are lifetime warranty. just so u know...parts made in china are usually made to the manufacturers specs..but if quality control is not good or doesnt exist...then u have a bad product.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

Yes it's been done, there are issues, and it's a custom job.

One of which is adding an aftermarket transmission cooler as the factory rad has a built-in trans cooling loop.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Yup. Exactly what the rep at Mishimoto said. Their 93-98 Supra radiator will fit but it has to be mod'd a bit. Thanks.