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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Radiator comparison: Mishimoto v Fluidune

  • Thread starter Thread starter BurninRubb3r
  • Start date Start date Jun 11, 2009

BurninRubb3r

New Member
Apr 8, 2009
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Jun 11, 2009
#1
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #1
A customer at my uncles shop I work at was torn between the Mishimoto and Fluidyne radiators, so we ordered both and decided to write up a comparison for everyone.

These are for the 94-95 and 97 stangs, although I'm sure the rest are the same. We looked at 3 areas - the support plate, the shock resistance, and the radiator core. This was meant to be non-objective side-by-side comparison.


The Fluidyne:



The Mishimoto:

1: Support plate





The Fluidyne's support plate was 0.2mm in thickness, and the Mishimotos was 2.0mm (measured with a micrometer)

The Fluidyne also had no welding in the support plate, while the Mishimoto's was strongly welded.





The Mishimoto radiator plate has two layers, one is the support plate and the other is the side plate. The Mishimoto unit is much stronger.



2: Shock resistance

The Fluidyne has a hollow tube design, and the Mishimoto is a solid tube





3: The core

Mishimoto has a three row core as opposed to the Fluidyne's two row, enforcing the shock resistance of the Mishi even more.






Our conclusion:

Based on these factors in the visual side-by-side comparison, the Mishimoto appears to be the stronger unit and the better choice. From what I understand, Mishimoto used to have a two-row design, but changed it to the three row because the two-rows kept breaking. Fluidyne's were having the same problem, but clearly they have not yet switched designs to the more resistant three row.
 

jromeo

New Member
Mar 5, 2006
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charleston sc.
Jun 11, 2009
#2
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #2
I have the fluidyne, 4 years and going. whats the cost between the too?
 
Y

yukisho

Banned
Apr 4, 2009
44
3
103
Saint George, Utah
Jun 11, 2009
#3
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #3
Mishimoto - $300-$310
Fluidyne - $389-$$419
 

jromeo

New Member
Mar 5, 2006
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charleston sc.
Jun 11, 2009
#4
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #4
yukisho said:
Mishimoto - $300-$310
Fluidyne - $389-$$419
Click to expand...

I guess I'll have a mishimoto if the fluidyne ever fails!
 

Black Stampede

Founding Member
Sep 3, 2002
1,811
2
39
Grand Rapids, MI
Jun 11, 2009
#5
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #5
My Griffin was around $160. I could buy 2 for the price of those things.
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Jun 11, 2009
#6
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #6
Black Stampede said:
My Griffin was around $160. I could buy 2 for the price of those things.
Click to expand...

Is that an exact fit for the 94-95, or a universal? I haven't seen exact fit Griffin's go for that cheap.
 

jromeo

New Member
Mar 5, 2006
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charleston sc.
Jun 11, 2009
#7
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #7
Chythar said:
Is that an exact fit for the 94-95, or a universal? I haven't seen exact fit Griffin's go for that cheap.
Click to expand...

back when I was pricing, they all were about the same price.
Now the mishimoto,didn't know about it untill today.
 

Black Stampede

Founding Member
Sep 3, 2002
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Grand Rapids, MI
Jun 11, 2009
#8
  • Jun 11, 2009
  • #8
Chythar said:
Is that an exact fit for the 94-95, or a universal? I haven't seen exact fit Griffin's go for that cheap.
Click to expand...

It's universal, but it fits perfect so idk why it would matter. Put it this way, if you can install a radiator in the first place you can handle getting a universal one.
 
Y

yukisho

Banned
Apr 4, 2009
44
3
103
Saint George, Utah
Jun 12, 2009
#9
  • Jun 12, 2009
  • #9
The prices I listed were for exact fit. The universal ones were significantly cheaper. Probably since the universal ones are more mass produced than the exact fit ones. It's just cost effective.
 

ProKiller

Founding Member
Apr 26, 2002
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PA
Jun 12, 2009
#10
  • Jun 12, 2009
  • #10
i can tell you though that mishimoto has some quality control issues they are still working out.
 

BlueSaph95GT

Member
Sep 16, 2003
123
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16
Oak Lawn IL
Jun 12, 2009
#11
  • Jun 12, 2009
  • #11
I am also torn between the two - mainly due to the "issues" with the mishimoto. Are there any confirmed cases of Mishi issues on Stangnet? Would like to see what the problems are before I lay down any money.

Also, anyone running a Canton expansion tank? Probably gonna upgrade that at the same time and add some shine to the engine bay
 

Black Stampede

Founding Member
Sep 3, 2002
1,811
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39
Grand Rapids, MI
Jun 12, 2009
#12
  • Jun 12, 2009
  • #12
Those are not the only two radiators that are made. And certainly not the only two decent ones.
 

stprorolla49

Active Member
Oct 9, 2004
1,455
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39
Fairfield, CT/North Jersey
Jun 15, 2009
#13
  • Jun 15, 2009
  • #13
BlueSaph95GT said:
I am also torn between the two - mainly due to the "issues" with the mishimoto. Are there any confirmed cases of Mishi issues on Stangnet? Would like to see what the problems are before I lay down any money.

Also, anyone running a Canton expansion tank? Probably gonna upgrade that at the same time and add some shine to the engine bay
Click to expand...

I had a problem with my Mishimoto last year and I called them up and the sent me a warrantee form for a brand new one, all I have to pay is $10 for shipping. I was leaving for school the next day and needed a rad, so I just got a stock replacement at the local auto parts store. During the time I had the Mishimoto, it worked great. It had the same peak coolness as a stock rad, but got there much slower, and cooled down much faster when the car was off. It ended up getting a small crack somewhere along one of the sides, and it leaked like a siv. I don't have my '95 anymore so this is water under the bridge, but I did really like the rad when I had it. Maybe they have gotten their issues under control since mine broke. Who knows, but it's definitely a quality built piece.
 

BlueSaph95GT

Member
Sep 16, 2003
123
0
16
Oak Lawn IL
Jun 15, 2009
#14
  • Jun 15, 2009
  • #14
Black Stampede said:
Those are not the only two radiators that are made. And certainly not the only two decent ones.
Click to expand...

Feel free to share some names! I'm open to suggestions. I am, however, looking for something direct fit for an automatic transmission '95...which I think is limiting my options to these two primarily...
 

95Vert383AOD

15 Year Member
Jun 10, 2008
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New Bedford, MA
Jun 15, 2009
#15
  • Jun 15, 2009
  • #15
Does this mean i can send my leaky Mishimoto back? I use a Visteon now....1 year and no leaks!!! I also noticed that my Mishimoto is alot heavier than my Visteon or the Granatelli ive used before.
 

Venom351R

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2002
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Jun 15, 2009
#16
  • Jun 15, 2009
  • #16
Ive had my Mishimoto for one year now with no issues
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,296
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Acworth, GA
Jun 15, 2009
#17
  • Jun 15, 2009
  • #17
I got my radiator through Steeda. It's a C&R which is the company that makes all the NASCAR radiators. 6 years, no issues. I got it on sale for $369.

Kurt
 

Black Stampede

Founding Member
Sep 3, 2002
1,811
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Grand Rapids, MI
Jun 15, 2009
#18
  • Jun 15, 2009
  • #18
BlueSaph95GT said:
Feel free to share some names! I'm open to suggestions. I am, however, looking for something direct fit for an automatic transmission '95...which I think is limiting my options to these two primarily...
Click to expand...

Griffin and Be Cool are the two myself and many I know have used and liked.
 
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