[SacroSanctusSableoninus]

Does anyone know where to find a fully metal radiator or companies that custom make them? Or even one that isn't necessarily made for our cars but will fit will do, I just want it to be full metal. Plastic is the most dumb choice for a radiator.

 

[Tekuno Ichigo]

I’d imagine a Civic half size radiator would work if you felt like getting creative with coolant hoses and modifiers mounting points. Maybe ask the guys who’s k-swapped their insight?

 

[Joule]

Mishimoto supplies a lot of all aluminum radiators. Don't know if they make one for a Gen1 Insight though.

 

[Willie Williford]

Looks like most of the mfg. are dumb as that is what has been used for several years.
Radiators are like body parts, they wear out and need to be replaced. I got 20 years use out of mine. Radiator that is.

 

[Joule]

I was exploring a metal radiator for Volvo. My mechanic talked me out of it. Said the cost didn't justify it and that the welds tended to be a weak point and that vibration was the enemy of the welds.

 

[Bull Dog]

Saying that plastic is the "most dumb choice for a radiator" is well...dumb.

Radiators are a wear item. Even the old brass ones fail and need to be rebuilt. You can get 15 years pretty easily out of "plastic" one. It's really a non-issue.

And the thing is, 100% aluminum radiators fail too. Not only that, they cost substantially more and won't necessarily last longer. I've seen 7-8 year old all aluminum rads fail.

Given that you are in the LA area, you should just get one from Scott at Jue Motors. The ones they source are drop in replacements. The molds are basically identical to the OE Denso radiator and they really aren't that expensive.

 

[KLR3CYL]

The juice is not worth the squeeze.
Just go with an aftermarket and be done for many years.

Scott

 

[Gasoline Fumes]

I replaced my dumb plastic radiator, because after 20 years, most of the aluminum fins had rotted away.

 

[SacroSanctusSableoninus]

Good to know all aluminum rads are just as bad. All I've ever heard from mechanics over the years is that plastic radiators are a bad idea but apparently you all disagree. I guess I'll be going with a much cheaper option then.

 

[Xspeedracer]

This is the closest one I could find in a the catalog CSF 7008

CSF 7008 High Performance Radiator CSF 7008 High Performance Radiator:Amazon:Automotive
Of course you could buy 3 of the oem ones for the price

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Redguy1959]

I replaced my original radiator last year after it cracked in the top tank. That is 19 years for a radiator, not bad. Bought an aftermarket with plastic tanks - looks the same, been fine for a year now.

 

[Puggie]

EK civic item fits with a few tweeks, I have a mishimoto in my insight. you need to chop and drill the lower mounts on the car to get it to fit, trim the slam panel/lock carrier and bend the release lever a little to clear the cap. hoses heed reducers as the civic pipework is slightly larger diameter.

mishimoto guarantee against every eventuality for the original purchased, a friend had his rad split when he hit a tyre wall airborn at about 120mph, mishimoto had him a replacement unit out free of charge very quickly!

 

[mortenz]

I want a mishimoto radiator but it is quite expensive.