DanielJames

Well I've just replaced my OEM radiator with an aftermarket Tegiwa item.

Honda cooling systems rarely need upgrading unless you run boost IMO. The reason for me going Tegiwa was the same as I did with my DC2 - upgrade items were cheaper than OEM. I wouldn't like to put a non OEM, OEM style radiator on it to be honest unless it was a decent brand like Nissens etc.

Anyway, something worth noting for you guys, and I'm sure this will cause controversy but hey.

The majority of these aluminium radiators are Chinese made from one factory. They come out with different names on the box, or sprayed into the fins, but they are the same. I have found this to be true so far for the following brands: Mishimoto, Tegiwa, Japspeed, and then other often unbranded aluminium upgrade radiators.

What does this mean for performance? Well, the best thing would be to search for reviews on Mishimoto radiators, as they are the most popular branding for this radiator. It doesn't make much sense being as it is by far the most expensive, but they do come with lifetime warranties so I guess this swings a lot of buyers.

I decided to go with Tegiwa as I've always had excellent service from them. My radiator arrived the next day in this case.

One other thing to note is that the cooling capacity increases quite a bit with the bigger rad. I think mine took around 8 litres!

Mad Mart

I eventually bought a standard rad from Advanced Radiators. I had to get one pretty quick as I need the car for work. It cost £70.99 (I paid an extra fiver for next day delivery). I had the day off today and it arrived at 1:30pm. so I fitted it this afternoon without any hassle except the cutouts where the rad cap lugs go were too narrow so I had to file them out a tad.

The old rad...






This is where it had split...



...and the new one...



I also had to carefully remove the sponge strip from the top of the old rad and glue it to the new one.


On the topic of antifreeze/coolant, I was going to go for the Honda type 2 stuff but it seems pretty expensive at £21 for 4 litres. Maybe I'm out of touch with antifreeze prices?

s2konroids

I've got a tegiwa too, fwiw I ran the stock ones for years when supercharged and it was suffice.

chrispayze

Did that include track work?

BenRNBP

Honda do their own special anti corrosion blend (OK maybe Toyota have a similar one) so if your current coolant is blue your only real option is to go Type 2 again, and yes it's special Honda prices too.

DanielJames

For coolant go with Triple QX blue from Euro Car Parts. It's about £7 for 5 litres ready mixed.

BenRNBP

Do your own research on borate, silicate and OAT coolants and make up your own mind if your should go for Type 2 or TripleQX - I know they are both blue but don't appear to be the same technologies. You'd probably be better off with a Red OAT one that's borate and silicate free than the blue.

s2konroids

I did a track taster day many years ago when SC'd on North weild Essex and it was fine.

DanielJames

To be fair I did plenty of track time on my standard Honda radiator too on my DC2. Cooling is never a problem on a fairly standard build.

s2konroids

I just put in half honda coolant, half water and bit of water wetter.