My 99 WRX's radiator is looking a bit worse for wear so wanted to replace it before it causes me problems. I've read that the OE rad is one of the best so was trying to find a genuine replacement without much luck. Anyone know best place to find these? or are they not available any more?

Import Car Parts has a 'OE Quality Nissens Radiator' for £75 which seems reasonable. Anyone got any experience with 'OE like' stuff? Are they just as good as the genuine item?
If not, I understand Mishimoto's are pretty good though a lot pricier.

I assume the OE like parts suffer the same rusting issue as the genuine OE parts so debating if getting an alloy radiator might be better long term. Goal for the car is to keep it on the road and running sweet for as long as I can rather than crazy modifications so maybe the Mishi rad is overkill?

Edit: Also looked up Koyo rads but they only seem to fit up to 98 model cars.

Keen to get some input.
Cheers

 

The Nissens radiator is not the same quality as the OEM Calsonic radiator. You get what you pay for. The quality of the plastic in general and especially the hose connections are far worse with surprisingly sharp edges. I'm sure it works but I made them a bit smoother with some sanding paper so that they wouldn't wear through the hoses.

But it's cheap at least and probably works well.

 

I'd prefer something better than probably to be honest!

What's the general consensus on the Mishimoto rads then? I'll have a look around myself too.

 

I wouldn't have fitted it to my project car if it was that horrible but I haven't started it up yet so I can't comment on it's cooling capabilities but I see no reason why it wouldn't work as good as the Calsonic. I would however doubt that it will last as long.

You can get a new original one from the dealer but it will cost 3-4x more.

I think I saw a radiator made by Behr Hella somewhere. They have always been top quality on my BMW's and are also factory fitted in most cases.

 

If it lasts half the time of the current one (what, 19 years?) I'd be happy with that for £75!
I'll give Behr Hella a look too, thanks for your help

 

No problem. And I'm very picky to be honest Most people would probably just fit and forget but if I see something that looks worse than the part I'm replacing I like to fix it. Could have been a bad production batch as well.

 

Picky is good! Picky prevents a lot of nasty surprises down the line

 

When I got a new rad for my blobeye. I got one from Alyn at AS performance was not genuine but It was prety hard to tell them apart and fit ect was spot on. Alyn said the have supplied loads and never have any problems

 

Cheers Croney, I had thought about giving him a shout. He's given me some good advice on the Type-RA forum. Do you happen to know what brand it was? Just curious.

 

Sorry not sure the brand

 

I bought a cheap one off eBay years ago. No problems what so ever and car runs perfect temp.

 

Also done this several times. Never had a problem.

 

Same here, I only recently replaced mine as the lower mounts for the fan had rotted. Core and plastic end tanks were fine.

 

Just about to do mine, have gone for an eBay one, quality seems really good.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 282665233535

Combined with a a set of powder coated fan shrouds, stainless fixings and some new hoses it's all ready to go in.



Just need to swap the fans over as the 4 blade fan should be on the other side.

In terms of cooling capability, RCM ran a standard radiator in the original Gobstopper.