Upgrade Radiator?

txredgt

10 Year Member

Oct 26, 2009

1,343

33

69

Jun 23, 2010

#1

• Jun 23, 2010

• #1

Having lived in Texas all my life and with our heat in the summers I am beginning to think about how the stang is holding up. I haven't seen too many people with issues with the radiator or overheating but I was thinking about maybe a newer, high flowing rad. Would this help greatly or just be a piece that would make me think its working? I would suspect it would lower temps but other than that Any thoughts?

 

XxMustang281xX

Member

Jun 9, 2004

194

0

17

Everett, PA

Jun 23, 2010

#2

• Jun 23, 2010

• #2

I have a Fluidyne radiator, but no real difference in temp. I have no problems with overheating or anything but i probably wouldnt have with stock either

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

4,749

95

134

Jun 23, 2010

#3

• Jun 23, 2010

• #3

Removing a perfectly good radiator would be a waste of money. It MIGHT make sense to upgrade a failed one but if yours is working don't fix it. Plus they are pretty expensive.

 

4

40oz

Member

Jan 9, 2006

499

3

18

Minneapolis

Jun 23, 2010

#4

• Jun 23, 2010

• #4

On the other hand, waiting until the radiator starts leaking is never convenient. The car's 8 years old, so depending on mileage, it isn't a bad idea to replace it before it fails.

The thermostat is what determines the operating temp of the motor, so if it isn't overheating now from a bad radiator, there's no reason the motor would run any cooler.

 

Rickyll7

Member

Dec 16, 2005

718

4

19

Jun 23, 2010

#5

• Jun 23, 2010

• #5

Try this and make sure you change your fan settings as recommended in the instructions.
Reische Performance 96-04 SOHC 170deg Performance Themostat [RP-SOHC170THERMO] : Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs

 

G

GettinThere

Member

Jul 29, 2005

553

1

19

Central Texas

Jun 23, 2010

#6

• Jun 23, 2010

• #6

Kilgore Trout said:

Removing a perfectly good radiator would be a waste of money. It MIGHT make sense to upgrade a failed one but if yours is working don't fix it. Plus they are pretty expensive.

Click to expand...

+1

If or when my radiator goes, I'll replace it with this bad mofo:

1997-04 Mustang 4.6L Ford Racing Aluminum Radiator,Stock Replacement For 03-04 Cobra at LRS - Same Day Shipping!

 

Rickyll7

Member

Dec 16, 2005

718

4

19

Jun 23, 2010

#7

• Jun 23, 2010

• #7

A guy on ebay has those same 03/04 cobra radiators new for about $200.

 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member

Jun 25, 2009

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U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!

Jun 23, 2010

#8

• Jun 23, 2010

• #8

Kilgore Trout said:

Removing a perfectly good radiator would be a waste of money. It MIGHT make sense to upgrade a failed one but if yours is working don't fix it. Plus they are pretty expensive.

Click to expand...

Ditto.
Mustang radiators and fans are very efficiant, my fan stays on about 13 seconds and brings the temps down 10-15 degrees, just clean the thing if its not broken, some should last the life of the car if kept clean.
No reason in replacing a good radiator if its not broken!