radiator cracked yesterday

04gtdrop · Jun 22, 2011

Hey guys, yesterday my radiator cracked and my car is dead in the water . I have another vehicle to drive in the mean time so I don’t have to get it fixed ASAP, but I want to get my mustang up and running sooner than later. I need some help on deciding what to get. I don’t mind spending a little more $$$ to get a good quality radiator.

The car is a 2004 GT convertible It has 146k (hard) miles on it.

Stock internals, stock transmission, Mods are CAI, 70mm T/B, plenum, Mac pro chamber H pipe, Mac cat back system, 3.73s, aluminum driveshaft, ram clutch with a fidanza aluminum fly wheel, Diablo predator, M&M full length sub frame connectors, adjustable clutch cable, eibach springs, cobra brake calipers, cobra wheels with Vredestein tires 275/40/17.

I think I’m going to buy new hoses and clamps since I need a new radiator. Should I stick with a factory thermostat or go with a 160?

What’s a good upgrade from the stock radiator? And should I bother upgrading the fan while I’m at it?

What are you guys running?

Thanks for the help in advance
04GTdrop

bhuff30 · Jun 22, 2011

Don't bother going to a 160 t-stat unless you plan on doing some reprogramming of the engine computer. You would want to change the fan start and stop temps and the switchover point for when the computer thinks the engine is up to operating temp. Stick with a 180 or 192 T-stat.

New hoses is a great idea. The easiest time to replace them is now.

A proper stock replacement radiator will be fine. I say proper because you don't want something that is smaller, has fewer fins, or fewer rows in it, and it wouldn't surprise me if the cheapest radiators out there cut you on these items.

The stock fan should be fine as well. These items are plenty to cool most street driven mustangs out there. The exception would be for those who intend to open track their cars.

However, I would recommend looking into buying an external transmission cooler to supplement the stock in-radiator cooler. That will help extend your transmissions life.

04gtdrop · Jun 22, 2011

Do they make transmission coolers for a stick shift?

bhuff30 · Jun 22, 2011

nope, I guess I saw stock transmission and assumed it was an auto since those are the most likely canidate for modifications.

04gtdrop · Jun 23, 2011

Oh ok, no worries. Thanks anyways

04gtdrop · Jun 23, 2011

I was on American muscle dot com... They are selling a Moshimoto radiator for 225 I think... Is that a decent price for an after market radiator ? The fluydine (spelling?) is almost 400 bucks on summit racing.

Thanks

Night Shifter · Jun 24, 2011

mishimotos are pretty ok radiators. they're basically a fluidyne knockoff... HOWEVER, plan on it also leaking in the future...some of them till last a few years before they leak, some will leak right out of the box. Mishimoto does honor their lifetime warranty and will replace the radiator an unlimited amount of times but you will also have to pay to ship your leaking one to them everytime.

Fluidyne is a better quality radiator but they are know to sometimes leak as well. They are harder to get to replace the radiator though

As for running a transmission cooler, it is totally possible on a 5 speed car. we have one on out AI car with a manual trans. BUT, unless you are running high rpms for a long period of time it will pretty much do nothing for you.

hope some of that helps

radiator cracked yesterday

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