Radiator Question

My '92 Miata's radiator is original, and the plastic is currently greenish brown and looks like it has already been repaired once, so I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before it goes.

My question then is would I be better off replacing it with a plastic/aluminum one like this for ~$100 - http://www.amazon.com/Proliance-4311...1992&carId=003

or an all aluminum 'ebay' one for a little more - http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-97-MAZDA-...ht_4315wt_1032

Basically, is the plastic bad to have, or not really? The car is driven 2-5 days a week + an autocross about once every other weekend probably. It's not a track car (though I do hope to have it out to MSR this weekend).

Thanks in advance!

I have an OEM style one in my car it is a daily driver and an autocross car.

For stock class in SCCA stock parts are the way to go. IMHO

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SCCA Rules

Except for modifications authorized below, Stock Category cars must
be run as specified by the factory with only standard equipment as de-
fined by these Rules. This requirement refers not just to individual parts,
but to combinations thereof which would have been ordered together
on a specific car. Any other modifications or equipment will place the car
in Street Touring, Street Prepared, Street Modified, Prepared or Modi-
fied Categories as appropriate

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Current SCCA Rules - http://www.scca.com:8080/documents/2...lo%20Rules.pdf

Unless you plan to add forced induction, the OEM plastic one is fine. In fact, the whole OEM cooling system is pretty darn good as long as everything is functioning properly.

I was in the same situation a few years ago, I bought a Koyo OE replacement off Ebay for around 100 bucks. Decent deal.

Good to hear, saves me some money - thanks guys.

Someone actually pointed the radiator color out to me at the TMS autocross last month, and said it was on its last leg (though I can't remember who). Are these things known for failing without warning or a good reason once they turn colors? Should I replace it as soon as I can afford to, or just keep an eye on it? I can put a picture up this afternoon if it matters.

They turn color when they are older than dirt. ;-) I wouldn't be suprised if that isn't the original 19 year old radiator ya got in it.

Since it is a known issue just replace it if you can. Nothing kills a Miata Motor faster than a nice overheat.....

Motors cost more than radiators FYI.

^Yep they can. I was lucky enough to catch the hailr line cracks in the right light just a day before I noticed them leaking. All it neaded was traffic on a hot afternoon to blow. You would probably get by for another 6 months without a problem, but it's a good idea to replace it.

Says the guy who's car is currently stranded with a blown TB...and has had a TB kit at his house for more than 6 months. Things put off will bite you in the ass eventually.

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Originally Posted by Jiggerachi

Things put off will bite you in the ass eventually.

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Very true!

p4R4d0x, get an account with Mazda Motorsports in order to get the OEM parts cheap.

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Originally Posted by jrj512

p4R4d0x, get an account with Mazda Motorsports in order to get the OEM parts cheap.

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Just looked into that - I guess you need 2 race results before you can register and I only have one in the Miata, so I'll hope the radiator lasts me through the TT this weekend and then sign up. That's assuming PCA events count anyway :confused: Thanks for the heads up!

Any idea how much a shop will charge to put the new rad in? I really miss my NY apartment with a garage and no "work on your car and we'll kick you out" rules..

Your green one lasted nearly 20 years, another plastic one will do the same.
plus the replacements are larger capacity, so more cooling.
unless you like the bling, no need for an aluminum one.

They are easy to change 2 12mm, 2 hoses and a 10mm support for the AC. Swap the fans (a few more 10mm). reinstall and fill it up.

You also can get them local from 1-800-Radiator.

Rads are very easy. We could knock it out in a few hours with a tech day. PM me if you want to have one at my place in North Arlington some weekend morning.

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Originally Posted by jrj512

Rads are very easy. We could knock it out in a few hours ...

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A Miata radiator was changed on Saturday afternoon at the TMS bus lot in the time it took run the 2nd group.

Yep. NA/NB radiators are quick and easy. NC radiators are a different story.

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Originally Posted by jrj512

Rads are very easy. We could knock it out in a few hours with a tech day. PM me if you want to have one at my place in North Arlington some weekend morning.

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That would be really great actually, I'd definitely be up for that.

Good time to replace the hoses too, I'm guessing? I haven't consciously checked them, but if the radiator is original, those probably are, too I'd think.

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Originally Posted by p4R4d0x

That would be really great actually, I'd definitely be up for that.

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Cool. Let me know when you are ready and we can find a date. It will need to be a day without an autocross, which will be a sad day. ;)

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Originally Posted by p4R4d0x

Good time to replace the hoses too, I'm guessing? I haven't consciously checked them, but if the radiator is original, those probably are, too I'd think.

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There are actually nine hoses. There is a list at http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/miatacooling.html. I would at least change the main upper and lower hoses. I have done all of them on mine and it was a PITA, but still do-able in a day.

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Originally Posted by jrj512

Cool. Let me know when you are ready and we can find a date. It will need to be a day without an autocross, which will be a sad day. ;)

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Will do! Hopefully soon, there's some 'gunk' on one of the fans and I'm not sure if it's new or not.

Are you a member of Mazda Motorsports? Are the prices really good, or just really good for a 'straight-from-Mazda' part? I only ask because I can't see the Mazda prices, just part list, and I can get an OEM-style Koyo for $120 shipped, without waiting to become a member (unless Road Rally results count, heh, then I can join today).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrj512

There are actually nine hoses. There is a list at http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/miatacooling.html. I would at least change the main upper and lower hoses. I have done all of them on mine and it was a PITA, but still do-able in a day.

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PITA as in hard to reach? I'll definitely replace the main two then, are the smaller ones less likely to give problems? I'll have to try to get underneath sometime and see if they look worn or not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by p4R4d0x

Are you a member of Mazda Motorsports? Are the prices really good, or just really good for a 'straight-from-Mazda' part? I only ask because I can get an OEM-style Koyo for $120 shipped, without waiting to become a member.

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Looks like the radiator for you car should be Part No: B61P-15-200 @ $149.09 ea. is Mazdaspeeds current price. Plus you get to pay Sales tax and shipping.

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Originally Posted by p4R4d0x

I'll definitely replace the main two then, are the smaller ones less likely to give problems? I'll have to try to get underneath sometime and see if they look worn or not.

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Main three. On your car there is 1x upper radiator hose and 2x "lower" hoses. Supposedly you can get the single piece lower hose from an NB and get rid of the metal section of pipe that likes to get all crapped up on NAs, but I have no personal experience with that (heard it here, actually). Looks like it'd work, but YMMV.

The other hoses aren't that bad to get to. The biggies to think about doing now are the heater hoses - they are the ones known for crapping out, and always at the worst possible times. EDIT: thinking about doing in addition to the main radiator hoses...sorry if I wasn't clear on that.

You have options for aftermarket silicon hoses for the main radiator hoses and the heater core hoses, or can get OE replacements. The other lines, if you're going to keep, I believe OE (or generic hose) is your only option.

Any hose can fail and any one failure can be doom.

They are kind of hard to reach, but it is not impossible or anything. Just annoying. Having the radiator and fans out is much of the work right there, so if you can afford it, then get all of them. If not, the main three and strongly consider the two hoses that lead to/from the heater core. Those two are probably the hardest to replace, anyway.

Sometimes Mazdaspeed has really nice discounts, other times not. They will virtually always be cheaper on OEM parts, but sometimes you can go with a replica that is cheaper and will work just as good.