Hi all,
after some cooling issues with the purple LJ on its first real thrashing at wakefield, I'm going to throw a bigger, alloy radiator in the front.
Ive seen some on ebay (chinese etc) for aroun $300-$400, but the tanks are all ugly and to be honest, look shitty.
Im planning to buy 2 and fit one to my LJ at the same time, so somewhere in Aus that would knock the price off for x2 would be even better.
I know PWR radiators run around the $900 mark, and to be honest, I cant justify that much to the missus! (no matter how much Id like to)
So has anyone bought one recently? anyone have any brands to steer clear from?
Alloy radiators- good bad and ugly
Started by
orangeLJ
, Apr 11 2012 11:55 AM
27 replies to this topic
#1
orangeLJ
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 11:55 AM
#2
Peter UC
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 12:25 PM
Recently bought one from Race Radiators in Melbourne subs. To be honest I haven't used it yet but looks to be very nicely built and I have only heard good things from people who have them. I think mine was about $750.
#3
MRLXSS
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 12:43 PM
Another Tick for Race Radiators in Dandenong... Several guys in the club have had theirs built there and you cannot fault them! They are also better priced that PWR.
They also do other fab work if required.
They also do other fab work if required.
#4
lakeside
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 01:35 PM
Race Radiators, Bennett st, Dandenong, they do real nice work. They are the best if you need a radiators repaired to like new. They are sent work from all from Australia.
I got a price about 4 mths ago and it was about $750 and $900 around 2yrs ago for a V8, LC.
I got a price about 4 mths ago and it was about $750 and $900 around 2yrs ago for a V8, LC.
#5
Hybrid
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 03:16 PM
I paid $800 for my LC Holden V8 PWR radiator from Rocket just before Christmas. I rang PWR direct and they quoted about $950!
#6
mr5000
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 08:56 PM
yeah i no half a dozen folks with race radiators they have never had dramas ive heard of people having probs with aussie desert coolers
#7
_coupe202_
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 09:29 PM
I had one made by race radiators with ford mondeo thermos and Davis Craig electric water pump havent looked back.
#8
_Macka_
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Posted 11 April 2012 - 11:24 PM
Aussie Dessert Coolers. I know some have had problems but l can't fault. Bought 2 also at time and he loves to talk cash.
#9
_AD_75_
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Posted 12 April 2012 - 07:42 PM
I can vouch for race radiators too, they did the radiators on my race bike and did an excellent job.
#10
_IFA 355_
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Posted 13 April 2012 - 02:44 PM
This is a Race Radiator I have in my LJ.
#11
orangeLJ
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Posted 20 April 2012 - 12:26 PM
I bought a FENIX radiator earlier in the week, $270 through my pricing.
Looks OK, welds aren't anything overly impressive, but are still presentable.
The biggest issue Ive encountered though is the size. It wont fit between the rails without minor trimming of the tabs, and Im going to need to make some new adapter brackets to use the original bolt locations as the thing is too wide all round.
Would love a PWR one, but the $750 is killing me!
Looks OK, welds aren't anything overly impressive, but are still presentable.
The biggest issue Ive encountered though is the size. It wont fit between the rails without minor trimming of the tabs, and Im going to need to make some new adapter brackets to use the original bolt locations as the thing is too wide all round.
Would love a PWR one, but the $750 is killing me!
#12
Statler
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Posted 20 April 2012 - 02:52 PM
I've just ordered a PWR one. I hope it fits.
#13
orangeLJ
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Posted 25 April 2012 - 06:40 PM
Well I bought the Fenix radiator for my orange torry, but there was no way it was going to fit without hacking out the original mounting points, and to be honest, thats not high on my priority list of things to frOck with/up.
Soooooooo... considering we are heading to wakefield next week in the purple car, I threw it in that today. Have some pictures that I'll hopefully get to put up later, but it required cutting the raised tabs from the firewall, trimming the tabs on the radiator itself so it could sit lower, drilling new holes int he rad support for mounting, slight panel beating of the lower, inner valance to clear the bottom tank and customising a radiator hose to get the top outlet to line up.
With that in mind, Im thinking of going PWR as Chris (WyldLC) has informed me that his fit without any modifications (and it looks awesome)
Might be blowing the $800 after all...
Soooooooo... considering we are heading to wakefield next week in the purple car, I threw it in that today. Have some pictures that I'll hopefully get to put up later, but it required cutting the raised tabs from the firewall, trimming the tabs on the radiator itself so it could sit lower, drilling new holes int he rad support for mounting, slight panel beating of the lower, inner valance to clear the bottom tank and customising a radiator hose to get the top outlet to line up.
With that in mind, Im thinking of going PWR as Chris (WyldLC) has informed me that his fit without any modifications (and it looks awesome)
Might be blowing the $800 after all...
#14
_hutch_
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Posted 25 April 2012 - 07:24 PM
I asked my radiator bloke about an alloy radialtor a couple of weeks ago,his response was why do ya wanna put on of them bloody things in it for,i will take ya money but would recommend i make you up a taller 3 row radiator that will still fit ya mounts.so what to do now lol
Phillip
Phillip
#15
_L32M20_
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Posted 25 April 2012 - 08:07 PM
brass n copper you cant go wrong.and youll save money. theve been using it for 100 years. just sharing bad experience with aluminium .unless your just for looks,i spose. i once was .never again. cheers.
#16
_coupe202_
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Posted 25 April 2012 - 09:02 PM
Im one to have changed there minds on brass rads once going to alloy rad
#17
_L32M20_
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Posted 25 April 2012 - 09:30 PM
would you say they dissapate heat more efficiently? i believe theres not much difference if any. but im no genius. just had electrolisis dramas and repair dramas.i even rubber mounted, used nulon coolant ,regularly polished it and kissed it goodnite. and it still failed after 12 months. never had any issues with oldscool tech.and personally dont like the look now anyway. i dont like to go with trends they change too often for my wallet.i even shop at lowes.age ,it happens. 
#18
_LS1 Hatch_
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Posted 26 April 2012 - 08:40 AM
I've used aftermarket aluminum radiators on a number of cars now and never had a drama with any of them. (and none were huge big dollar units..just universal style ones made here)
And have had alloy cored factory ones in my trucks, etc for many,many years now (and on engines with aluminum components of course as well) with no problems either.
I use an Afco dual pass now in the car and it will not run warm in any outside temps, with or without the air con going as well.
And have had alloy cored factory ones in my trucks, etc for many,many years now (and on engines with aluminum components of course as well) with no problems either.
I use an Afco dual pass now in the car and it will not run warm in any outside temps, with or without the air con going as well.
#19
_L32M20_
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Posted 26 April 2012 - 10:49 AM
well i guess nearly all cores are ally now days. i just found the old stuff more durable personaly. cheers
#20
orangeLJ
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Posted 26 April 2012 - 11:17 AM
its part for looks, part for functionality.
Try finding an original copper cored radiator in the fatter sizes that are offered in alloy, for much cheaper though.
I'm really stuck in a bind here, do I bite the bullet and go PWR, or do i go something marginally cheaper like ADC or JAR
Try finding an original copper cored radiator in the fatter sizes that are offered in alloy, for much cheaper though.
I'm really stuck in a bind here, do I bite the bullet and go PWR, or do i go something marginally cheaper like ADC or JAR
#21
TerrA LX
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Posted 26 April 2012 - 11:21 AM
Alloy is safer, lighter and cheaper, only reasons they are all alloy OEM these days.
#22
_torbirdie_
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Posted 27 April 2012 - 07:32 PM
the question has been asked and answered before:http://www.gmh-toran...post__p__289063
#23
Tiny
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Posted 28 April 2012 - 07:35 AM
Chris,
Just spend the money.
Seriously, Spending ANOTHER $300 or$400 means your tally will be up to $670 or so, and the PWR is only $800 ish?
Spend it once, Buy the best, and dont look back!
one or two pay slips after the spend you wont even feel the sting any more!
Just spend the money.
Seriously, Spending ANOTHER $300 or$400 means your tally will be up to $670 or so, and the PWR is only $800 ish?
Spend it once, Buy the best, and dont look back!
one or two pay slips after the spend you wont even feel the sting any more!
#24
orangeLJ
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Posted 28 April 2012 - 06:51 PM
I needed to buy 2 radiators, so the first one is now in the purple racecar (no problems cutting the engine bay to fit it, its a track car, not a pretty car! haha)
I've been put on to a guy in Sydney, Just Alloy Radiators through Toymods.
I'm going to give him some dim's and have him quote me for a custom radiator to fit in the standard hole, but a bit thicker.
All else failing, I'll save up for a PWR one (might take a few more pay checks than one or two though tiny!)
I've got 2 cars due for rego this month, just bought a corolla, was going to have a run at wakefield too, but I found out today that my Great Uncle (who I was pretty close to) passed away just after lunch (lived in Ballina) So no wakefield, but instead sorting out how I can fit days off around the hectic week at work and driving 9 hours up the road.
I've been put on to a guy in Sydney, Just Alloy Radiators through Toymods.
I'm going to give him some dim's and have him quote me for a custom radiator to fit in the standard hole, but a bit thicker.
All else failing, I'll save up for a PWR one (might take a few more pay checks than one or two though tiny!)
I've got 2 cars due for rego this month, just bought a corolla, was going to have a run at wakefield too, but I found out today that my Great Uncle (who I was pretty close to) passed away just after lunch (lived in Ballina) So no wakefield, but instead sorting out how I can fit days off around the hectic week at work and driving 9 hours up the road.
#25
Tiny
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Posted 28 April 2012 - 06:59 PM
JAR also advertise here!
Dont forget to tell him your a GMHT local he might help out!
I know what ya mean about saving up - the HQ still isnt going - still saving for the gearbox build!
Sorry to hear about your great uncle, never nice when a family member passes.
Cheers
Dont forget to tell him your a GMHT local he might help out!
I know what ya mean about saving up - the HQ still isnt going - still saving for the gearbox build!
Sorry to hear about your great uncle, never nice when a family member passes.
Cheers
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