Hello to all. It's good to be back. It's been so long that I lost the password to my original account. Anyhow, it's nice to see how things have grown over the last 10 years.

Wanted to check all your current opinion about a radiator replacement. I have a 2002 S2000, and its now become my daily driver. It only has 40k miles or so, and no mods as of yet (unless you cound the Honda OEM alarm that I self installed). I don't drive it hard much, and I'm in California with mild weather.

I'm due for a coolant change, and was thinking of changing my radiator and hoses while I'm at it. I don't have any leaks or see any visible damage right now, but judging from what I'm reading, it's only a matter of time. Also, if I replace it before it breaks, I can save the OEM parts and put them back if and when I sell so the entire car can be "original".

So I see the "reasonable" cost brands are Koyo, Mishimoto, and Full Blown. The other ones, Spoon, Greddy, etc. start at over $1000, and they're not in my budget. I seem to see both pros and cons with the 3 (Koyo, Mishi, and Full Blown), and even the last 2 may actually be made by the same people. I've all but set on a OEM drop-in fit.

What have the rest of you guys used in the last few months, and what was your experience? What about the matching Silicon hoses for Mishi or Full Blown? Where can I find the best deals on any of these?

Finally, should I consider changing the fans, thermostat, using a different cap, etc. while I'm at it?

Apologies for the long winded post, just finally getting back (or forced back) into driving the S.

Thanks,

 

I would start off here buddy - https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/forum/186...vetrain-deals/


Check out with a few vendors and get some prices. FB is a great company, and Mishimotos customer service is awesome. I've been back and forth between both as well

 

i picked mishimoto over the FB, just because they have a lifetime warranty.

FB is cheaper; both are most likely same quality

was extremely happy with my purchase through T1

 

Thanks. So looking further, what's the downside to an aftermarket thermostat that opens up sooner? Why didn't Honda open up the coolant flow sooner?

 

Koto, Mishimoto, Full Blown looks to be made by the same China company. Shipped to the US and rebadged to sell much higher. I would go with the cheapest unless you care about the name brand.

 

Koyos are higher quality, and made in japan; others are chinese.

Because if thermostat opens too early, you can keep engine from ever warning up to the correct temperature.

Sent using free Tapatalk - Android ftw

 

hmmmm, seems like paying a bit more for a Koyo may be the way to go then. Add Spoon radiator cap and Samco hoses? Everyone think that is that combo the best bang for the buck?

 

Koyo shouldnt be used with the phrase "bang for the buck."

 

Mishimoto is what I got, car takes longer to get hot and was a very easy install. took all of about an hour n 30 minutes. Before you do anything(onceyou have the rad) make sure the car is either jacked up high in the front or on ramps. The S can be tricky to get 100%of the air out and any left in the cooling system will cause the car to run hot.. The heater core is the hard thing to clear of air and is especially hard to bleed out if the car is not jacked up in the front to start

 

Again, I wouldn't call anything Spoon "bang for the buck". Mishimoto and FB radiators come with radiator caps, I'm not sure why the Koyo doesn't. Samco hoses aren't really needed, but if you want some, you can get OBX hoses for half the price of Samco, and they are both Chinese made, so who cares.