Looking to upgrade radiator/cooling system

Boosted08

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Looking for first hand opinions on which aftermarket radiator to go with for my 96 cobra. I see SR performance, Mishimoto, and fluidyne all make options. Which is the best unit for cooling and reliability?

I will also be replacing all coolant hoses and thermostat as preventative maintenance as all parts are original.
 

98 svt

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I went with a Champion 3 core radiator from Jegs. My shop strongly recommended against Mishimoto radiators.
 

xblitzkriegx

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I don't see why they'd say that. Those two rads are virtually identical in every way. Maybe there's a quality control issue they dealt with? It's not like Moshimoto is a shady company though
 

MG0h3

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I test fitted the Mishimoto in my car but never even put coolant in it.

Had to bend the AC line a hair and loosen the ABS bracket and push it a little bit.

Other than that it was in.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

Black02GT

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The main mishimoto radiator issues I can think of were related to the mounting brackets. Pretty sure they either come with new brackets now or they moved the mounts

I like my Mishimoto. So far so good for a few years (lasted longer than one of my engines) with stock mounts. They sell thinner aluminum mounts for the top. Not sure if it is due to the dimensions of the radiator or the material but it seems the stock mounts grip it too tight and cause cracks. Don't come with them though, cost extra lol
 

shurur

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I had a champion 3-core crack at the corners.
I really think it is from the body flex, though others will claim it was from not using the mishimoto radiator mounts which lean the thicker radiators in and at a slight angle to keep it from being sprung or bowed by the OEM upper mounts....

I have a plastic tank napa radiator that works fine now, but would not go with any AL radiator but a mishi because it has the metal brackets to stiffen up sides and allow the radiator to float within the bracket.

All the mishi complaints are from mishi's early years..
 
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Twisted2

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I've been singing the praises of my Mishimoto radiator ever since I installed it last summer, in 104 degree weather (or at least it was at some point, that week that I installed it). I got the model with the isolation/suspension mounting system--and also ordered the flexible top mounts.

Prior to the radiator, I would avoid driving my '96 in anything above 90 degree weather. Since the radiator, the engine runs cool even in brutal heat. I did a full write-up on the modification last year. It should come up in a search, if you're curious.

Sent from my SM-G970U using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 
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Cobra Jet

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Another Mishimoto rad owner here too. Just replaced it last month after the 3rd Fluidyne failure in 17 years of ownership. Every Fluidyne started leaking at the end tanks where the core rows intersect.

(3) items worth noting if buying a Mishimoto:
1) Lifetime warranty after you register it on their site.
2) Shop the Mishimoto part # on Amazon. They have a store on there, and the price I was able to get on it there was far cheaper than any Mustang vendor, or retailer of the same radiator.
3) Quality out of the box is excellent as well as direct fit replacement.

Mishimoto is based out of DE and they have many high praises from many Auto Enthusiasts.

I won’t be buying any more Fluidyne products ever not at nearly close to $400 a pop…. An all aluminum radiator should last practically a lifetime with normal use, not redundantly fail with a few years of use.
 

Low Class Yuppie

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Prior to the radiator, I would avoid driving my '96 in anything above 90 degree weather. Since the radiator, the engine runs cool even in brutal heat. I did a full write-up on the modification last year. It should come up in a search, if you're curious.

My '96 was originally sold in Canada, so the cooling TSB was never performed. The car wants to get hot any time I run the A/C when it's over 90 degrees out. Do you think a Mishimoto radiator would help?
 

Twisted2

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That's the same issue I had. The motor ran pretty hot with the AC off, but very hot with it on. With the Mishimoto radiator, it runs cool even with AC on--perhaps even more so because, with AC on, the cooling fan runs constantly when traveling at lower speeds, and the Mishimoto sheds heat very quickly when the fan runs.

I definitely recommend it for this very issue. The Mishimoto radiator's cooling capacity seems much greater than stock--particularly its reserve capacity, i.e, AC running, pulling hard uphill, 100+ temps, etc. That's where I notice the biggest change (with stock thermostat and fan settings).
My '96 was originally sold in Canada, so the cooling TSB was never performed. The car wants to get hot any time I run the A/C when it's over 90 degrees out. Do you think a Mishimoto radiator would help?

Sent from my SM-G970U using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 
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Twisted2

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Another note, I just remembered. With the stock radiator, with AC on or off, the cooling fan would run almost constantly in hot weather, even on the highway--sometimes even the high-speed fan.

With the Mishimoto, the cooling fan never runs on the highway (once up to speed), and the high-speed fan has never even come close to turning on at all, anywhere. The engine isn't bothered either way, whether or not I run the AC.
My '96 was originally sold in Canada, so the cooling TSB was never performed. The car wants to get hot any time I run the A/C when it's over 90 degrees out. Do you think a Mishimoto radiator would help?

Sent from my SM-G970U using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 

Shifty Powers

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I will be upgrading to a mishi unit as well very soon. I never had heating issues but i want to do this anyways as I am replacing the crossover and the car has been sitting for a while.

Putting the 97 rad in the 96 without the tsb. Should be fairly simple. Also taking out the AC
 

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