Tex Miata

Anybody know what the weight is of the stock radiator? And are there any replacement radiators that are any lighter? Looks like I'll be replacing mine soon and would like to loose a little front end weight if possible.

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

well they're all full of coolant which is heavy, only way to really go lighter would to go smaller, probably not a good idea

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

As far as radiators, there are only 2 oem units. The 5-spd and the AUTO. The auto is bigger or maybe same size, but dual core or something so it's gotta be heavier. I'm pretty sure the aluminum aftermarket ones are going to be heavier just because they're significantly bigger. I would be very surprised is any aftermarket rad was lighter than stock. Most of us who don't want to go aluminum for the price will install the OEM radiator from an automatic which is a marginally better piece.
There several OEM sized aftermarket units that guys call "all metal" because the end tanks on the OEM's are plastic... so the OEM's should be lighter than those too.

Bottom line (and I've been wrong before) I think the lightest one out there is probably the OEM 5-spd.

However, I don't remember an empty stock radiator weighing that much... maybe 10lbs or less. If you're a weight ****, you've probably already ditched the PS and AC... if not, that's where I'd start with taking weight out of the front.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

I just chucked a stock 5spd '92 radiator into the dumpster last weekend, or I'd be more precise, but...

It's very light. Much lighter than the aluminum radiator that I replaced it with. Maybe 5 pounds? Less than an average chihuahua anyway. Not only that, but a larger (thicker) radiator is going to contain more water, and that's where the real weight is.

This is not a good place to be adding lightness. An aluminum radiator is worth a few lbs.

Kelly

iTrader: (6)

www.absoluteradiator.com has a decent price on the aluminum Koyo. It is money well spent.

Tex Miata

Thanks, guys. That's what I needed to know. I've had the stock radiator out of the car several times, but never paid much attention to how heavy it might have been. I've never held a replacement radiator, either, so I didn't know if they would be heavier or lighter. I am somewhat of a weight **** with my CSP car. Just bought a hardtop so I could loose the 35 pound softtop! I guess when it's time to replace the old radiator I'll be looking for a OEM type.

Hey, maybe I should ditch the heavy TB and intake manifold and install IRTBs! (Hear that, Santa?!)