Cheap ebay radiator
#62
One more thing. I found a 1.25x1.25 square foam strip at Home Depot, meant for stuffing around the edges of a window-mounted A/C unit. It was in the weatherstripping section. I went looking for weatherstripping, but the adhesive-backed stuff was all too small and pretty stiff. This stuff doesn't have the adhesive backing, but is bigger and softer, so it won't apply as much force between the pieces it's sealing.
I cleaned all the oil and coolant residue off the core support, put some double-sided tape on it, and used the foam to seal between the core support and the top of the radiator. Looks clean and weighs almost nothing. Total cost $1.94 with tax for the foam. I still need to get the other three sides of the radiator sealed. They won't be as easy.
I cleaned all the oil and coolant residue off the core support, put some double-sided tape on it, and used the foam to seal between the core support and the top of the radiator. Looks clean and weighs almost nothing. Total cost $1.94 with tax for the foam. I still need to get the other three sides of the radiator sealed. They won't be as easy.
#63
If you’re handy and well-equipped (I used an air body saw, drill press and 14-in. horizontal disc sander, as well as enough hand tools to pretty much cover my work bench), then this can work. It took basically a whole day, start to finish. This was my first significant experience working on the Miata, so I was taking time for familiarization, too. If you’re expecting to pay someone else to put this in (unlikely around here, but someone from m-dot might get lost when searching for info), don’t even think about it. The labor to fit 1 ½ inches more radiator in the car than stock will be horrifically expensive. If the Koyo or other 37mm options are more bolt-in, they will cost you a lot less in the end.
Crazy. I just bolted mine in and drove it. Took about 15 minutes.
#66
Are you NA or NB?
I have a '99. Some of the stuff I did was me being ----, some of it would have been a guaranteed long-term failure if not done. I think a straight bolt-in would be possible if you had no A/C or PS. That's what I spent most of the time fiddling with.
I have a '99. Some of the stuff I did was me being ----, some of it would have been a guaranteed long-term failure if not done. I think a straight bolt-in would be possible if you had no A/C or PS. That's what I spent most of the time fiddling with.
I have an 91 with no a/c or ps.
#70
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7,930
Total Cats: 45
Great to see people trying new things. In alot of products like this, lesser companies have very good quality parts. I have a cracked upper hose neck and its seaping a bit, not major, but with this price, why not go ahead with it. Might be purchasing myself one within the week.
#71
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,557
Total Cats: 5
These are posted now, they are shipping from china though
eBay Motors: ASI aluminum radiator mazda miata MX5 99-05 (item 290274212236 end time Dec-09-08 23:02:44 PST)
eBay Motors: ASI aluminum radiator mazda miata MX5 99-05 (item 290274212236 end time Dec-09-08 23:02:44 PST)
#72
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7,930
Total Cats: 45
GOD! Isnt that the damn story. Now all I can find on ebay is the CXRacing for the NB, no more NA models that I can find. Oh well, maybe they will come back one of these days. I was just about to buy one too.
#73
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1,108
Total Cats: 233
#75
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,557
Total Cats: 5
ya i had seen that too, but its a bit more expensive
... just checked and it comes out to 225 shipped to my house, but thats also with california sales tax, not horrible, but not the smokin deal they were on ebay.
... just checked and it comes out to 225 shipped to my house, but thats also with california sales tax, not horrible, but not the smokin deal they were on ebay.
#76
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1,108
Total Cats: 233
All of the products on their website are higher than their ebay prices, which is not uncommon with other vendors. My guess is that current supplies are out, and we will have to wait for the manufacturer back in mainland China to send another batch over.
#80
I installed a CX-Racing radiator a few weeks ago. It's since been on a couple road trips, and it's been DD'd the whole time. No issues at all. I bought it because when I got my car, the previous owner had "fixed" a leak on the plastic end tank.
fans already swapped over
"fixed" old radiator
It leaves a little less clearance to access the front of the motor, but I think it was worth that small sacrifice.
fans already swapped over
"fixed" old radiator
It leaves a little less clearance to access the front of the motor, but I think it was worth that small sacrifice.
Last edited by MoD_Scotty; 02-22-2009 at 11:54 PM.