Would an aftermarket Miata radiator be enough to cool the 5.0L?
 

I am starting to get most of the larger parts for my swap together, and I was wondering if anyone has used stock-ish cooling stuff from their Miata with a V8 swap. I currently have a nice sized aluminum radiator (CSR Racing or something like that IIRC). Ive currently got some cooling issues with the stock engine, but I have narrowed it down to either the fan or the thermostat. It will stay around 190* in the hot Louisiana weather as long as I'm moving.

So if I can get the stuff I have now to properly cool the stock engine, do you think Id be able to get away with using it for the V8? I'm not against putting better fans, and possibly some more on the other side of the radiator, but if i can get away without having to buy a $400 radiator from Monster Miata, thats more money I can put into it else where.

The Miata radiators are designed to deal with the heat output of a 4 cylinder engine. The $400.00 radiator from Monster Miata is a good piece but it is a specialty part that is also designed to separate you from your money.

Good, reliable and adequate radiators are readily available from Summit Racing or Jegs at about half the cost of the Monster Miata part and you can usually find a reasonably priced electric fan and shroud specifically made to fit if you don't wish to roll your own.

I'm running the Mishimoto radiator and fan setup with my LS swap. Bought them from Amazon several years ago. Never had a cooling issue

Nice piece. I keep forgetting everyone is not here with me in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Air temp is 107 right now heading for 114 by 3 PM. Track temps are 145 in the shade where you can find it. Largest Griffin 4 row rad that will fit in an NA and dual Spal fans keep it cool pretty well. 2 seasons and no overheating issues but my set-up would be overkill where you are! :bowrofl:

It not the Sonoran desert, but with temps in the 100's with over 90% humidity, Pensacola and the rest of the Gulf coast can be a hell on earth during the summer months. In the summer months, I keep the top up and the A/C on high. That's quite a load on the cooling system.

Yea, I'm in central Louisiana, so I'm kinda in the same boat. I may keep what I have now, and just upgrade if needed. The aftermarket radiator currently in my Miata isn't much smaller than the Mishimoto I had in my '94 Mustang GT with the 5.0L too.