what is the best radiator besides oem

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warezdog said:
I did the sheppard auto early 80's all aluminum for under $100 shipped, just have to mod the shroud and adapt the HG over pressure hose into the inlet, been running now for over a year not a single issue.
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Pics please! I was considering one of these but wasn't sure how much work the shroud would be and what to do about the bypass hose.
 
I think there are pics in my album or blog linked in my sig but its not a real big deal. Some trimming for the trans lines and a couple pieces of flat alum stock for the top mounts. For the bypass I used a 45 degree 1 1/4 inch copper fitting from the home depot and tapped a brass barb into it and used jb weld to seal.

Other than that the read itself drops in and mounts the same as the stock. I also opted to do the water pump, blue clutch, thermostat, rad hoses, and did all existing 5/8" hose with silicone including the pesky heater hose. I also ripped out the rear heater and all associated plumbing, total PITA to do but worth it to me and since I was that that deep in I opted to do the front main seal and the oil pump seal and replace the cover scews with torx from a mud member.

Last summer it was near 100 degrees with high humidity and I never broke 195 in the city with the air on full blast. Make no mistake it is a lot of work but if you're going to to have the rad out now is the time to do those things if they need doing.
 
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I almost forgot to add, flush the crap out of the system too, I used distilled water and light air pressure and when clearing the heater core went both ways.
 
gtfour43 said:
Surprised no one mentioned this yet. I bought this off amazon and it arrived in a KOYO box. I can get pics of it installed if anyone wants them :meh: http://www.amazon.com/TYC-1918-Alumi...ype=automotive edit: oh btw even the miata guys buy the TYC off amazon and they claim they get KOYO rads.
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I saw this brand as an option on Rock Auto the other day and wondered about it.

Looks like I'll be getting one soon.
 
shfd739 said:
I saw this brand as an option on Rock Auto the other day and wondered about it.

Looks like I'll be getting one soon.
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Yeah TYC don't make radiators.
 
I just put this radiator (it was a Koyo) in mine about 2mos ago and its been cooling just fine. I've done a couple of long trips up and over CO passes towing and loaded with no issues. I would not hesitate to do it again unless this radiator lasts less than 5yrs, then I will go OEM. I flush mine annually so hopefully that will help it last. I just could not pass up the sub $200price.
 
Rookie2 said:
Anymore updates/info/opinions on this TYC radiator? Mine is starting to leak.
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I ordered the so-called Koyo TYC off Amazon. It was in a TYC box with a TYC sticker on the radiator. Oh, and the side was caved in but the box was in perfect condition. I sent it back. This time I ordered a Koyo 1918 from CarId.com but from their ebay site FOR $146 + shipping. It arrives today. I'll let y'all know if it's a Koyo, which I doubt, or a TYC. If it's another TYC branded radiator then it's going back and I'm ordering OEM.
 
I went a completely different route. I went with the Ron Davis Racing radiator ($900 :() and I am convinced that while I was going through my overheating hell (I'm at my absolute wits end- truck still overheating despite best efforts) that if I did not have this radiator installed to remove as much heat as it did, that I would have done some serious damage to my fresh motor rebuild.

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LFD2037 said:
I ordered the so-called Koyo TYC off Amazon. It was in a TYC box with a TYC sticker on the radiator. Oh, and the side was caved in but the box was in perfect condition. I sent it back. This time I ordered a Koyo 1918 from CarId.com but from their ebay site FOR $146 + shipping. It arrives today. I'll let y'all know if it's a Koyo, which I doubt, or a TYC. If it's another TYC branded radiator then it's going back and I'm ordering OEM.
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Please do.

Thanks for the response, folks.

I know the Ron Davis is the Cadillac. I'm just looking for something comparable to OEM cooling and decent quality. Not ruling out OEM yet.
 
I just ordered the 1918, I was going to order the one listed as Koyo at $265 from Amazon. Notice this thread as I was ordering my Fan clutch fluid and figuring which one to buy. I am thinking my issue is the radiator, runs great temp normal until any hills or pushing hard (80+) on high then the temp climbs a bit. My thinking is because I am at speed the fan isn't moving much air??? I had it flushed at the stealer and now it seems worse, I'll do the fan clutch first oil replacement with 20K. Then look at doing that rad.
 
LFD2037 said:
I ordered the so-called Koyo TYC off Amazon. It was in a TYC box with a TYC sticker on the radiator. Oh, and the side was caved in but the box was in perfect condition. I sent it back. This time I ordered a Koyo 1918 from CarId.com but from their ebay site FOR $146 + shipping. It arrives today. I'll let y'all know if it's a Koyo, which I doubt, or a TYC. If it's another TYC branded radiator then it's going back and I'm ordering OEM.
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Well here it is. It IS a Koyo for $177 delivered ( 1918 Koyorad - Radiator ). It's in a Koyo box with Koyo stickers on it but a TYC sticker on the box. I spoke with Koyo last week and they said they make radiators for TYC and it is a Koyo if it comes in a Koyo box with a Koyo sticker on the radiator.
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This radiator is definitely different than the TYC one I got off of Amazon. These fittings are brass, the other were silver. This is in a different box w/different packaging & made in Indonesia (the TYC was made in China). Also, the aluminum 'frame' on this one is completely different than the TYC boxed one.
 
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Thanks, just cancelled my Amazon order the $$ are the same and I don't want the crap rad, even if I am looking at 200's. Wouldn't want to knowingly put in crap when not seriously stranded or pressed for time.

Question to those who have replace the radiator. How much easier would it be to change the PHH with the rad out? I am not due yet but figure if it's easier I might as well do it.
 
speyrod said:
Thanks, just cancelled my Amazon order the $$ are the same and I don't want the crap rad, even if I am looking at 200's. Wouldn't want to knowingly put in crap when not seriously stranded or pressed for time.

Question to those who have replace the radiator. How much easier would it be to change the PHH with the rad out? I am not due yet but figure if it's easier I might as well do it.
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They aren't anywhere near each other & changing them are 2 completely different jobs except for when replacing the PHH you lose some coolant (~<.5gal.).
 
speyrod said:
Thanks, just cancelled my Amazon order the $$ are the same and I don't want the crap rad, even if I am looking at 200's. Wouldn't want to knowingly put in crap when not seriously stranded or pressed for time.

Question to those who have replace the radiator. How much easier would it be to change the PHH with the rad out? I am not due yet but figure if it's easier I might as well do it.
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Zero relation other that coolant flows through both. Its like asking if changing the headlight will have any affect on your reverse lights :flipoff2:
 
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