XJ radiators, a review.

[themauler]

I’ve used the CSF 3 row in two XJs for at least 10 years with great success after struggling with high temps. One might have a leak (hard to tell if it is just the hose).

I’d be interested to see how the Aluminum cheapo holds up compared to others since you are able to provide consistent feedback. Glad to see some cool research happening on here again!


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[Weasel]

Originally Posted by cal

Now onto the new Mishimoto MMRAD-XJ-89.

$431 to my door via Amazon. The radiator has a lifetime warranty. I understand from reviews that Mishimoto is kind of a pain in the ass to deal with. They charge you to warranty the unit even if it's product failure, and they take sometimes two weeks to ship one out. That said, Amazon is not an authorized reseller which voids the warranty completely. But Amazon honors all manufacturer warranties on auto parts, so Amazon will replace this for life with free prime shipping.

The only charge I got when doing warranty with them was shipping. Wonder if that's new. At this point I'd lean towards Mishimoto, I need to replace mine shortly and it was at the top of the list.

Modine used to have a sweet 2 large core brass radiator that I would run in heartbeat but I think they switch to the cheap overseas junk years ago.

[cal]

It's a shipping charge yes, you pay both ways for their failure. The rate goes up over time.

I couldn't even find a listing for modine.

[Anak]

Nice work.

Keep it up.

I have a motor in Russ' shop and I am going to want a new radiator when it comes time to put in the motor. I appreciate you putting in the effort to help me make an intelligent choice.

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Modine used to have a sweet 2 large core brass radiator that I would run in heartbeat but I think they switch to the cheap overseas junk years ago.

The local radiator shop owner told me a few years back that Modine had quit the radiator business. I'm not sure how true that was. He might have meant they quit making GOOD radiators.
I've been running the same Modine 2 core since 2003. I had it rodded and cleaned after ten years, still going strong.

[ehall]

Originally Posted by cal

Now onto the new Mishimoto MMRAD-XJ-89. [...]

This looks like a cracked weld? That's a little disappointing to find on an otherwise beautiful $400 radiator. Given the location I don't think it would stop me from installing it, but it would have stopped me from shipping it.

Makes you wonder what they are doing to make that weld crack. And are they doing the same bad thing(s) on important welds.

[cal]

OK, I got down to the CSF or Mishimoto unit.

In all of my reading, 'the experts' say it comes down to what has the most core/fin contact. More is better, period.

So I started measuring.

Mishimoto:
15 fins per inch
31" wide cores
1" deep core
26 rows
2 cores

15*31*1*26*2 = 24,180 inches of fin/core contact

CSF
16 fins per inch
30.5" wide
.437" core
25 rows
3 cores

16*30.5*.437*25*3 = 15994.2 inches of fin/core contact

Running that through a calculator, the Mishimoto has 34.29% more heat dissipating surface.

Even if you want to factor in copper being 20% more efficient than aluminium, the Mishimoto is still far superior.

So we'll see how that goes tomorrow.

[Heavyopp]

Originally Posted by ehall

Makes you wonder what they are doing to make that weld crack. And are they doing the same bad thing(s) on important welds.

I have to agree, a crack like that isn't typical in aluminum -- I'm wondering if the bowl is compromised and going to leak right there

Are there any other welds holding that crossmember to the bowl?

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by cal

It's a shipping charge yes, you pay both ways for their failure. The rate goes up over time.

I couldn't even find a listing for modine.

I didn't have to send the bad ones back. Just shipping on the replacement. Scrapped the old one.


I didn't notice the difference between 2 and 3 cores on the 2 you narrowed down to. I'll take the 2 larger cores over the 3 any day.

[cal]

Apparently my math above is wrong with a "call me and i'll explain"

that guys smarter than i am, so let me get back to this in a bit..

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by Heavyopp

I have to agree, a crack like that isn't typical in aluminum -- I'm wondering if the bowl is compromised and going to leak right there

Are there any other welds holding that crossmember to the bowl?

stress crack isn't it? didn't think they were that uncommon. weld shrinks but the base doesn't, but I'm rusty on AL welding.

[cal]

Originally Posted by cal

Apparently my math above is wrong with a "call me and i'll explain"

that guys smarter than i am, so let me get back to this in a bit..

Well, my math was fine. What I didn't take info consideration is that one radiator may have .003" of fin contact to the core and the other may be .005" of fin contact. Which he's right, I didn't consider.

That lead into a long conversation about efficiency, fin design, volume, etc etc. After the discussion he thinks i should go Mishimoto as well (and by a large margin). Considering he designs high end intercoolers for a living, I'm have a lot of respect for his opinion.

[WAZZUXJ]

I'm disappointed in the CSF.

The Mishimoto does look good, besides the cracked weld.

Very good review of the options available.

[Heavyopp]

Originally Posted by Weasel

stress crack isn't it? didn't think they were that uncommon. weld shrinks but the base doesn't, but I'm rusty on AL welding.

I’ve never seen a crack like that on aluminum, although I tig weld all my aluminum

[cal]

I msg'd Steve at Mishimoto and invited him to participate in this thread. Seems unlikely he will, they haven't logged in here in over a year.

Wonder if I can track down his email addy.