nnowa07

So I've been pouring through every radiator thread I can find, and I can't seem to find a consensus on a good alternative to the monster kit for the 5.0. Is there one? If I need to buy Martins for $400 I suppose I will, but I figure there's gotta be something that works great for a bit less. Id prefer not to get an LS specific radiator and get longer hoses, but if that's the best option maybe I'll go that route.

I've got a 93 NA
And 93 Ford 5.0

Thanks!

nnowa07

Has anyone tried this one from griffin? I know some LS guys have used griffin, but this seems to be the same one but for the 5.0. Thoughts?
http://www.griffinrad.com/load_details7.php?PartID=125&year=All&make=Ford,%2 0Dodge&model=Racer&select_Main_Group=0-400&select_Sub_Group=TR&select_Sub_Group_model=BL& select_Sub_Group_Engine=Manual&select_Sub_Group_Ho rsePower=24x19x3&key_id=1-26202-F

tbone heller

This is where my Monster Miata radiator came from: Saldana Racing Products - Aluminum Radiators, Fuel Tanks & Bladders Maybe they will sell you one direct.

5.0MX5

I'm running a Ford specific radiator from Summit, ordered it from Summit's Ebay store and it's a Griffin Aluminum Pro Series Radiator 1-26241-X radiator. It's a 27.5x15.5, two row.‏

If I were doing this again, I'd use a different Griffin radiator. My 27.5" wide (as advertised) is actually 27.75. The extra .25" makes for a very very tight fit. I had to remove part of the radiator/hood latch support bracket and use a big Ford tool to massage the frame rails on each side. Griffin GRI-1-26221-X is 26x16, and GRI-1-266222-X is 26x19". I would use the 26x19 if I had a do-over. The install would go much quicker. Price is the same.

On the plus side (only issue being the miss-stated width) the Griffin has been a total win for the past four years.

nnowa07

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks man. I'll order one of these here real soon. I'm just trying to figure out how im going to mount it now. Weldings not really my "A-area" especially with aluminum. :/
I'll figure something out. Thanks!

rowen210

I used a Griffin duel core radiator from summit. The mesurements are 26" X 3 " X 15.5. Worked great for my build.

MRM331

I just installed a Howe from Summit. It came in at under $200 and required removing the old radiator upper support. I also had to do some scrounging to find hoses that fit since the inlet and outlet are 1/4 inch larger.

Howe Aluminum Radiators 342AFNF - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

I've been through two of Martin's radiators since building my current car. Granted I have over 20K on it but still that's a bit much. I took the last one in to be patched and my rad guy said the core was extremely cheap and prone to failure. I purchased it from Martin about three years ago and it was a Suldana.

We're working on a recent build currently that has a more recent Martin radiator. Unlike earlier ones its labeled as a Howe, not a Suldana as they had been i the past. It's possible Suldana started cheaping out on their cores a few years ago which would explain the switch. If the did Martin would not have know until he ordered one for himself since he has them dropped shipped so I really don't have any issue with him about the situation. I know now though that next time the radiator goes I can just swap another $178 Howe in in a hour or so.

-Jason

nnowa07

Thanks for the info Jason, that looks like a good option. I ended up taking my radiator to the local radiator shop today. The place has been continuously running since 1941, and the owner there was quite proud of that fact. The longest running radiator shop in the county! Anyway, he fixed my radiator for $35 including a new radiator cap. 2 of the fins had separated at the end tank. So I'll start here, but I have a feeling this radiator, even with the patch job, is on the way out soon. I'll be getting a Howe when it does.
Ps what fans are you running? I've got a single fan at the moment, looking for some good options that won't break the bank. Thanks!

charchri4

Wow that is a really tall radiator Jason. Have you got it in yet? I'd love to see some shots of that.

Mine (here) is over an inch shorter than yours and hangs down below the stock bumper cover so I'm trying to picture where that extra inch goes.

nnowa07

Well, despite having our local long running radiator shop patch her up, she's leaking everywhere. It's definitely time to pull the trigger on a new one. Thanks for all the info!

MRM331

It actually fits pretty nicely. Martin's hangs down pretty low because he has you mount it under the factory upper header. By cutting that header out and making my own removable upper header the lower part actually hangs about 3/4 inches higher than before and the upper part is almost in contact with the hood. I figure this is actually a good thing at the top as I now do not need a flat upper cowl and the whole system is more in line. Burping it was almost completely drama free. I'll put up some pictures when I can.

-Jason

MRM331

I could see that one working. It looks like this one: Griffin Aluminum Circle Track Radiators 1-26221-F - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

The one thing I liked about the Howe is that it has no filler so I could mount it with a flat bar across the top. I looked into having the filler shaved off of some others and doing so added a bit of cost to the process.


-Jason

nnowa07

I noticed you have an extension of some sort for your filler on the 90* thermostat housing. Where'd you pick that up? I may shave the cap off of my radiator and put something like that on, just can't seem to find something that screws a radiator cap on.

Lateralgeez

Looked for this a while ago & all I found was weld on bungs. I'm also interested because my current setup is... odd.

nnowa07

Me too! Got pics?

MRM331

That came with the Monster Miata kit. Of the four cars we built and the five or so we've overhauled only one did not have one. The first kit I used back in 2005 or so had an inline filler like the ones you can pick up at Summit or on the Factory five site. I'd go with one of those or see if Martin at Monster Miata will sell you the kit one.

The advantage of the inline type is that it takes up less room under the hood. You position it behind your alternator. The advantage of the MM kit one is that it sits higher making it easier to fill. When I filled the system using the inline type I'd prop the whole upper hose and the filler itself up over the alternator and then push it back down once the system was burped and the cap was back on.

Here's the idea for the inline type. Search around though as I'm pretty sure this one is two narrow:

Howe Inline Filler Necks 3423 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

-Jason

Lateralgeez

Thanks Jason.

3 different hoses and some kind of in line cap arrangement. Aftermarket BMW m3 radiator they said. Not bad for budget build but inlet is on the wrong side.

MRM331

There's nothing wrong with the inlet being on that side unless you want to run AC. If not it gives you the opportunity to swap in a double pass at some point without having to go al the way to a triple pass radiator.

-Jason

Castillo817

I already ordered the 91 Mustang Gates radiator hoses (upper and lower), will I be able to use these hoses with that Howe rad? I really don't want to spend $400 from Martins kit.

nnowa07

Hey Jason,

Any chance you have pics of that mount set up? I'm in a similar spot- with the upper (and lower) radiator mount support removed and I'm trying to figure a good way to mount it. Any pictures would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!