What's a good, lower cost radiator for a MK III? - Page 2

916MKIIIx2 · 12-09-2009, 06:50 PM

Alright found everything I need except an A/T tranny cooler that will work with the 7MGTE, if you know of a good one send it my way, I got about $150 left on my budget and I'd like to spend pretty much exactly that and get the best one I can. Also, I can't find the correct size for the transmission cooler lines, that info would be a god send.

BillW · 12-09-2009, 10:12 PM

As it turned out, the Koyo radiator from Partsgeek looked ok (no leaks) after I drove the car a bit. What happened, I think, was I spilled some coolant filling the radiator, and after test driving I saw steam coming out of the radiator, and jumped to the conclusion the radiator was leaking. Duh. In my defense, I did have a coolant line that was bent in shipping, that I had bent back, and I guess this got me thinking the radiator had been damaged and was leaking.

Anyway, the Koyo from partsgeek.com works fine, about $180 total with shipping. The radiator includes the AT cooling lines. You just need to move the fans from the old radiator to the new one, and maybe buy a new radiator cap, upper and lower hoses, and AT cooling hoses, if you have AT.

The only issue with the Koyo radiator was the transmission cooling lines were something like .33" OD for the Koyo, versus .38" OD for the stock radiator, so I replaced the factory hose clamps with worm drive clamps, and tightened down on the clamps to really squash the hose onto the lines from the radiator. I didn't feel too great about doing that.

cre · 12-10-2009, 01:38 AM

I would go with a B&M cooler (I've got a large one as my engine oil cooler and another for my power steering), Perma-Cool should be fine (I've never used one though)... There's Canton who makes some excellent components, but their oil coolers look to me to be just rebadged B&M coolers (I don't know that that's the case but they do look identical). As I mentioned before, you need to figure out where you're going to mount the cooler and then measure to find one that will fit; Make sure you keep in mind that you also need to be able to route the oil hoses to it.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...20cooler&dds=1

If you're looking at a long, narrow space (like along the top or bottom of the bumper support) look for a "rail" style cooler.

With the oil lines I'd recommend replacing the stock lines completely, not just extending the them; Any barb used to extend them will most likely add a bottleneck. It's not the highest flow system though, so extending will undoubtedly be fine; It's just not my preference.

916MKIIIx2 · 12-10-2009, 01:43 AM

Nah this is for the daily driver and the car my girl uses most, so I want it to be done right and so it will last. I'll check the B&M ones they seem to have a large range of shapes and sizes. Think I'll go out tomorrow morning and check for places to mount it.

Will those oil coolers work for tranny fluid?

916MKIIIx2 · 12-10-2009, 03:22 AM

I Don't need an oil cooler also do I, I could have sworn the 7MGTE oil cooler is mounted up with the intercooler... I could be completely wrong, but I thought the only other seperate parts I needed were tranny cooler and hoses for connecting it.

cre · 12-10-2009, 03:32 AM

My system isn't stock; That's why I have a different oil cooler.

No, you don't need to replace the stock cooler... although I recommend it down the road if you're upgrading. The stock oil cooler system is very poorly designed; It's a pressure based system and not temperature... bad idea.

916MKIIIx2 · 12-10-2009, 04:17 AM

Yeah, I don't plan on doing anything to this one as far as power upgrades, if anything I will just put 3" exhaust on it. I still may however upgrade the oil cooler for those... long trips supra's hate so much

916MKIIIx2 · 12-10-2009, 06:30 AM

How many BTU's is the stock tranny cooler? Is pretty much any of the B&M ones better? They are all pretty reasonably priced from the site you listed.

cre · 12-11-2009, 07:09 PM

I heard back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdub

Never went that in depth...size wise, you want one that's at least 11x5x1.5. I like the B&M coolers...the bar/plate construction makes them more sturdy and more efficient. They make one with a fan and temp actuated switch that's perfect for mounting behind the driver's side fog lamp....he will have to custom make a couple of brackets.

I sent him another message as I've still got a question about temperature regulation (on units without an included fan); I'll post more when I hear back.

916MKIIIx2 · 12-11-2009, 07:57 PM

Thanks Cre, I ordered the radiator and oil cooler, still waiting to decide on the tranny cooler, whether the 70 dollar no fan one or a 120 dollar fan cooler, I believe the two im looking at are 175 degree activated. I believe thats around the temp. im looking for, correct me if im wrong.

Also, the radiator I ordered a friend recommended me, its the Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator for direct fit with the 7M. If anyone heard anything good or bad about this radiator id be interested, as I didn't find any reviews that were done by people that know what they are talking about.

12-09-2009, 06:50 PM	#11
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Alright found everything I need except an A/T tranny cooler that will work with the 7MGTE, if you know of a good one send it my way, I got about $150 left on my budget and I'd like to spend pretty much exactly that and get the best one I can. Also, I can't find the correct size for the transmission cooler lines, that info would be a god send. Last edited by 916MKIIIx2; 12-09-2009 at 07:01 PM.

12-10-2009, 01:43 AM	#14
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Nah this is for the daily driver and the car my girl uses most, so I want it to be done right and so it will last. I'll check the B&M ones they seem to have a large range of shapes and sizes. Think I'll go out tomorrow morning and check for places to mount it. Will those oil coolers work for tranny fluid? Last edited by 916MKIIIx2; 12-10-2009 at 02:07 AM.

12-11-2009, 07:57 PM	#20
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Thanks Cre, I ordered the radiator and oil cooler, still waiting to decide on the tranny cooler, whether the 70 dollar no fan one or a 120 dollar fan cooler, I believe the two im looking at are 175 degree activated. I believe thats around the temp. im looking for, correct me if im wrong. Also, the radiator I ordered a friend recommended me, its the Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator for direct fit with the 7M. If anyone heard anything good or bad about this radiator id be interested, as I didn't find any reviews that were done by people that know what they are talking about. Last edited by 916MKIIIx2; 12-11-2009 at 08:00 PM.

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12-09-2009, 10:12 PM	#12
BillW Stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: East Brunswick NJ Posts: 16	As it turned out, the Koyo radiator from Partsgeek looked ok (no leaks) after I drove the car a bit. What happened, I think, was I spilled some coolant filling the radiator, and after test driving I saw steam coming out of the radiator, and jumped to the conclusion the radiator was leaking. Duh. In my defense, I did have a coolant line that was bent in shipping, that I had bent back, and I guess this got me thinking the radiator had been damaged and was leaking. Anyway, the Koyo from partsgeek.com works fine, about $180 total with shipping. The radiator includes the AT cooling lines. You just need to move the fans from the old radiator to the new one, and maybe buy a new radiator cap, upper and lower hoses, and AT cooling hoses, if you have AT. The only issue with the Koyo radiator was the transmission cooling lines were something like .33" OD for the Koyo, versus .38" OD for the stock radiator, so I replaced the factory hose clamps with worm drive clamps, and tightened down on the clamps to really squash the hose onto the lines from the radiator. I didn't feel too great about doing that.

12-10-2009, 01:38 AM	#13
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	I would go with a B&M cooler (I've got a large one as my engine oil cooler and another for my power steering), Perma-Cool should be fine (I've never used one though)... There's Canton who makes some excellent components, but their oil coolers look to me to be just rebadged B&M coolers (I don't know that that's the case but they do look identical). As I mentioned before, you need to figure out where you're going to mount the cooler and then measure to find one that will fit; Make sure you keep in mind that you also need to be able to route the oil hoses to it. http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...20cooler&dds=1 If you're looking at a long, narrow space (like along the top or bottom of the bumper support) look for a "rail" style cooler. With the oil lines I'd recommend replacing the stock lines completely, not just extending the them; Any barb used to extend them will most likely add a bottleneck. It's not the highest flow system though, so extending will undoubtedly be fine; It's just not my preference.

12-10-2009, 03:22 AM	#15
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	I Don't need an oil cooler also do I, I could have sworn the 7MGTE oil cooler is mounted up with the intercooler... I could be completely wrong, but I thought the only other seperate parts I needed were tranny cooler and hoses for connecting it.

12-10-2009, 03:32 AM	#16
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	My system isn't stock; That's why I have a different oil cooler. No, you don't need to replace the stock cooler... although I recommend it down the road if you're upgrading. The stock oil cooler system is very poorly designed; It's a pressure based system and not temperature... bad idea.

12-10-2009, 04:17 AM	#17
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	Yeah, I don't plan on doing anything to this one as far as power upgrades, if anything I will just put 3" exhaust on it. I still may however upgrade the oil cooler for those... long trips supra's hate so much

12-10-2009, 06:30 AM	#18
916MKIIIx2 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 152	How many BTU's is the stock tranny cooler? Is pretty much any of the B&M ones better? They are all pretty reasonably priced from the site you listed.