04 CV8 Radiator Replacement Options

[fletch78]

Dropped the Ro off at a local garage earlier to get a coolant leak checked out. Not losing a lot but have had to top up.
Just had the dreaded call that it needs a new radiator. They've spent a while calling round the Vauxhall dealers trying to find one, I can only assume they were originally offered one for a van Given the leak isn't bad and I'm hardly using the car at the mo, told them to leave it for now. I'll plan to take it to Monkfish for Andy/Roger to look at.

After a search, seems the stock part is prone to issues so I'm loathe to replace like for like. Only option I've seen in the threads is via PWR, but bit pricey for me. Anyone gone down any other routes?

There goes my budget for the OTR kit

Cheers

Fletch

[KMud]

I think gsd2000 has an aftermarket radiator on his.

[gsd2000]

I had an ali sport rad made for £525

Its 50mm thick and they have a template for an 04 monaro

The car needed a little trimming to the ends where the rad slots in but other than that it was fine

You can also buy them from rocka

[SturdyHSV]

There's a mishimoto radiator for Monaros on the bay of e, think it's possibly for the LS2 though.

They're popular in the US, so they should have an 04 (LS1) part too

[KMud]

SturdyHSV said:

There's a mishimoto radiator for Monaros on the bay of e, think it's possibly for the LS2 though.

They're popular in the US, so they should have an 04 (LS1) part too

Dunno, lots of 04s over there seem to get the 05 rad conversion, just to tidy up the engine bay.

[gsd2000]

The griffin rad is cheap and suppose to be decent

AAS should in theory be able to get you one

[SturdyHSV]

KMud said:

Dunno, lots of 04s over there seem to get the 05 rad conversion, just to tidy up the engine bay.

It does look better, when are you doing yours?

[KMud]

SturdyHSV said:

It does look better, when are you doing yours?

No plans, the 04 system works better

[Monaro5.7]

gsd2000 said:

The griffin rad is cheap and suppose to be decent

AAS should in theory be able to get you one

Iam sure they should have them in stock, sure Stuart bought a few to get a good price.

You can get them cheap from the states but my thought was what if it arrives with a hole in it

[SturdyHSV]

KMud said:

SturdyHSV said:

It does look better, when are you doing yours?

No plans, the 04 system works better

We don't have to worry about heat as much anyway as we're NA

[FizzysCar]

It depends on how much you want to spend. Ron Davis alloy radiators are regarded as one of the best aftermarket rads for the monaro. I went and splashed out and got one for my '04 VXR.

http://www.rondavisradiators.com/radgallery.htm#Po...

You'll want either the '04 pontiac gto one if you intend to keep the existing pipework, or the 05-06 one if you convert to the later setup. I actually bought mine from Hinson Super Cars - http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/s-312-cooling.aspx#...

Excellent quality build - but a tad expensive and import tax/duty is also a bit of a pain.

There are cheaper alternatives available now though, which are more direct replacements (same thickness etc).

I did an install thread here too if you want more info on what's involved, pictures etc. http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?23...

Edited by FizzysCar on Thursday 25th September 18:32

[fletch78]

Top stuff, thanks guys.
Andy has one OEM in stock, but I'm in no rush as the car is barely used at the mo, so will do some thinking.

Cheers

[stevieturbo]

If the plastic end tanks are ok, you could probably find a local rad shop to fit a new core to them.

Or there are quite a few alloy fab places or rad shops that could build you a replacement unit

[fletch78]

Looks like it's the plastic that's the issue, hence my reluctance to replace with OEM with the same weakspot.
Mishimoto one looks interesting, anyone in the UK gone with them?

[gsd2000]

fletch78 said:

Looks like it's the plastic that's the issue, hence my reluctance to replace with OEM with the same weakspot.
Mishimoto one looks interesting, anyone in the UK gone with them?

I know Driftworks are Mishimoto stockists so if they dont list them they may be able to get you one

[VinceM]

fletch78 said:

Looks like it's the plastic that's the issue, hence my reluctance to replace with OEM with the same weakspot.
Mishimoto one looks interesting, anyone in the UK gone with them?

Try ebay, there was one on there.

[FizzysCar]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FREE-SHIPPING-Mishimoto-...

This looks to be the right description. Way cheaper than I ended up paying too. Quite a bargain if it's decent enough quality.

[fletch78]

Cheers gents, I've seen the one on ebay and found a stockist, price looks good, but has anyone any experience of using them is what I meant

[raving]

An ally rad for that money I dread to think of the quality

[fletch78]

raving said:

An ally rad for that money I dread to think of the quality

That's my worry, if something seems too good to be true.....