I installed my Koyo radiator last night and thought I'd share some
install tips. This radiator core is 50 mm thick. It mentions on the
invoice that modifications may need to be done to the radiator brackets to get the radiator to work with a SMIC. After pulling out the old rad and laying the new rad in place, I noticed it would not sit low enough for the brackets to line up with the rad mounting studs. I've heard people say that if the radiator brackets are flipped around they will meet up with the mounts properly. I flipped around the brackets and slid the rad in place. Everything lined up properly. I then installed my IC duct (M2 medium) and noticed it was sitting an inch or two higher than before. Realizing that the IC duct would not clear the hood I
pulled out the rad and put the brackets back on the proper way. I
wanted to find out why the radiator was not dropping down low enough to be mounted the same way the stock rad was mounted. As I dropped the rad back in I pushed down on it a saw that it was hitting the AC condensor bracket on the passenger side of the car. This bracket is rather big and bulky for only having to support the very lightweight condensor. I pulled off the condensor bracket and the radiator dropped in very nicely. I ended up making a smaller bracket out of a 1/8" thick 3/4
inch wide galvanized metal strip I had laying around. With this smaller bracket installed, it cleared enough room for the rad to drop perfectly in the stock position.
The only other fitment problem I had with the Koyo rad is that one of the fan brackets welded to the rad (on the drivers side) was hitting my oil cooler line preventing the rad form sliding into place. I grinded this down a little and it seems to be ok now.

I just wanted to add that I was really impressed with the build quality and size of this radiator. The end tanks were even polished! It was well worth going with the bigger radiator (compared to the 38 mm drop in fluidyne) and spending the extra hour or two needed to make it work. BTW, I purchased this radiator on the last fluidyne/koyo group buy for $385 shipped.

 

Doesn't really sound like 'stock replacement' to me...
-MP

 

I would classify it as a stock replacement with minor modification. To be honest, it was explained to me that it would need some modifying to be used with a SMIC. So it was nothing I didn't expect.

 

Thanks for posting this. I Have the M2 med SMIC but I havnt put it in yet. I let a shop put my Koyo rad in so I didnt know about the install. Looking at it I didnt think that the SMIC was going to fit...I was getting a little worried. M2 cold air intake already didnt fit, I figured that I just spent A LOT of money and now I cant use any of this ****. I dont know if your fimiliar with the M2 intake but do you think that it will fit with your modification? Or anyone been able to make this combo work? M2 Cold air intake and Koyo Rad?

 

I have seen the M2 intake and have an idea of how it bolts in. I can't think of any reason why it won't work.

 

SO I finally broke down and bought the Koyo for my FD. I have the CWR air intake and a stock SMIC. I post the fun next weekend. Damn I sooooo glad to be replacing that stupid stock radiator. Summer is comming!

 

I have a CWR intercooler as well, so I would love to hear your install notes Whtrocket. Also has anyone with the pettie/ M2/ Rx7 fashion style cold air intakes had any luck with the install of the KOYO? I'm wondering if the space to the side of the stock radiator, where these intakes draw their air, is changed with the KOYO, or the fluidyne for that matter.
Any comments?

 

Thanks man! THIS is the sort of stuff the Forums are best for! I have been thinking about the Koyo radiator, my stock one is fine, but......well, you know....
I am glad to hear that with only minor mods that most anyone can do, the Koyo will fit.

Thanks again!

 

Make sure you have some sort of rubber lining btwn the two, or that there is sufficient clearance. It may rub with vibration over time, and wear a hole in the oil line. I know of one other person that had a hole worn thru his A/C line in the same manner (for something else), and it took two weeks before it wore thru and he loss his freon. Losing oil could be potentially more dangerous.

Thanks for the write up!

 

Sorry 65Imp, I have the CWC intake not the IC. I wish. This IC does draw off the side of the stock radiator. I will do this thing on Saturday and post about the big fun

 

BTW I know hte stock rad has some foamy gasket stuff (that's the technical term right?) round it. I was planing to use 200mph tape. Has anyone needed something to replace the stock foamy bits? ANybody find something if needed?

TIA

 

can we get some more info, pics and whatever else will help in doing this. i dont have a problem tinkering with cars but you know how everything goes, dont want to do it wrong. maybe some pics of things that you shaved, taken off, etc...
kris

 

josh, got pics of the koyo installed in your car?

 

Yes, the SR/Koyo works with the aluminum M2 air box. The opening on the right side of the radiator is the same size but the small metal tab that slides down into the fan shroud bottoms out sooner. You can either trim the metal tab on the air box or cut slots into the plastic fan shroud so that the air box can slide into the fan shroud.

I had no interference problems with the stock intercooler. The condenser bracket on the right side at the top won't reach around the edge of the radiator. I was able to flip its mounting bracket around to that it was closer and then used a longer bolt (I plan on cleaning this up while my motor is out by triming the condenser bracket so that it can slide past the side of the radiator and mount in its proper stock postion).

You need to get some foam or racing tape to seal the left had side of the radiator.

When I compared the capacity of the stock vs. SR, I got 48 vs 116 oz. It's not a direct bolt-on but not too much for the majority of shade tree mechanics. Take your time and be prepared to take the new radiator in and out a few times to test fit things.
Jack

 

trout- do you have any pics that can help us out. i know its not going to be super hard, but its just an aid for us.
kris

 

Here's the link to the radiator install how-to that I used as a reference when I installed my Koyo. This link talks about the SR radiator which I am sure is actually a Koyo.

http://www.rx7guru.com/radiatorhowto.html

Look, from my experience, all of the talk about the fitment problems with the Koyo is overblown and probably scares some people away from the Koyo. However, with that said, I did find the need to do a number of "trial" fittings and removal of the radiator to identify areas of interference and perform some basic bending and grinding to eliminate the interference. The link above does not discuss any fitment issues. I believe that fitment issues are going to vary from car to car, so don't expect to see a list of fitment problems and solutions.

Just go into this with your eyes open. Get the front of the car up on jack stands so you can inspect for interference from both above and below. Allow for the additional time required for the "trial" fittings. Have the required tools handy for some minor bending and grinding. I'm satisfied with the Koyo and it is still my radiator of choice.

 

how do you make brackets?

What tools will I need to do some of this "basic bending and grinding"?

I just ordered my koyo, so hopefully it won't take me to long to figure out how to make it fit. I've never done anything that requires modification before.

 

I bought a 1 inch wide strip of steel and bent it to shape with a vice and some pliers. I don't have any pics but if I take some I will post them.

 

Do the stock fans mount up to the koyo like normal?

What tools will I need to do some of this "basic bending and grinding"?

 

I posted a similar install a while ago... I did the install with the STOCK brackets. I filed the holes on the radiator side of the bracket, so that I could slide them down and secure them lower on the radiator. I filed the hole about twice the width of the original hole... towards the brakcet's bend...This way you don't have to flip them..they reach the mounting studs. It works well, and fits with my M2 airbox, and nothing rubs. Hope that's not confusing... Hope it helps SOMEONE!!!

Yes the fans mount normal.

 

how about PFS SMIC and intake with Koyo.. I am definitely thinking about upgrading my radiator.. ASAP.. people told me that I should just go with Fluidyne for better fit.. Almost zero fitmet problem.. is it true?? Please let me know..

Thanks!!

 

Yeah, thats what I've read, I was going to get a fluidyne, but then I saw the price differnce. The difference is ~$125, and the koyo is the larger rad!

I figured, with a little more work I can just put that 125 towards something else (like the xr1 that I also ordered today)

 

Does anyone have experience fitting the Koyo with an Apex'i Gt spec FMIC, kind of like the one that the rx7 store sells? I was considering this rad, but I am concerned with getting it to fit with the apexi FMIC. Although my stock rad pulls my temps back down to 89-90 degrees C on the highway after sitting in traffic, the extra cooling capacity can't hurt. Thanks in adavance.

 

Are there any fitment preoblems with the koyo and SMICs?

I just got my koyo in the mail. looks oooo sweet. I hope I get to put it on next week.

 

I don't like the idea of having to fabricate things for a supposed "drop-in", especially when it's less than half an inch thicker. I dropped my Fluidyne straight in w/o any problems all for $400.