Cheaper radiators
#1
03-04-2015, 06:28 PM
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Northern Ky
Posts: 193
Rep Power: 22 
Cheaper radiators
So has anybody tried the radiators from Rock Auto? They are $260 apiece http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=5614452&cc=1417890&jnid=397&jpid=0 . I realize the CSF ones are really nice. Just wondered if anyone has tried cheaper ones. I guess our options for a pair are.
Rock Auto= $520
OEM= $950
CSF= $1300
Rock Auto= $520
OEM= $950
CSF= $1300
#3
03-04-2015, 07:47 PM
I cant speak for the radiators but I've had good luck dealing with Rock Auto as far as customer service-returns etc. I usually buy their better name parts as they do sell some of the lower quality also.
#4
03-05-2015, 06:04 AM
The radiators on Rock Auto are not for the turbo. I just went down this road and searched extensively for a lower cost replacement. I did find some in the UK for ~$650 total shipped (L and R) to the US.
http://www.design911.com/Radiator-for-Water-Coolant-Fluid-Porsche-996-Turbo---996-C4S---997-Turbo--Part-No-99610613174---99610613272-/prod13528/
They do offer a warranty, however return shipping (both ways) is on you. I had read some accounts of people having multiple OEM style (plastic end tank) radiators leak brand new out of the box. I didn't feel as though saving ~$300 vs buying OEM here was worth the risk. Then of course I rationalized another ~$350 to go with the CSF radiators and hopefully never have to worry about.
Of course I wanted to protect my new radiators (and existing condensers) so I started looking at bumper mesh. I bought some mesh at Home Depot and played with it a bit. I wasn't happy with the look and did not want to screw or glue anything into my OEM GT2 bumper, so I bought the Rennline mesh kit. Now I am ~$1600 into radiator replacement and protection and I haven't even touched the center radiator.
Within the last 12 months I replaced the radiators in my Supra and IS300. Both were OEM Denso units for less than $105 shipped each 
http://www.design911.com/Radiator-for-Water-Coolant-Fluid-Porsche-996-Turbo---996-C4S---997-Turbo--Part-No-99610613174---99610613272-/prod13528/
They do offer a warranty, however return shipping (both ways) is on you. I had read some accounts of people having multiple OEM style (plastic end tank) radiators leak brand new out of the box. I didn't feel as though saving ~$300 vs buying OEM here was worth the risk. Then of course I rationalized another ~$350 to go with the CSF radiators and hopefully never have to worry about.
Of course I wanted to protect my new radiators (and existing condensers) so I started looking at bumper mesh. I bought some mesh at Home Depot and played with it a bit. I wasn't happy with the look and did not want to screw or glue anything into my OEM GT2 bumper, so I bought the Rennline mesh kit. Now I am ~$1600 into radiator replacement and protection and I haven't even touched the center radiator.
Within the last 12 months I replaced the radiators in my Supra and IS300. Both were OEM Denso units for less than $105 shipped each
#5
03-05-2015, 06:13 AM
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Northern Ky
Posts: 193
Rep Power: 22 The radiators on Rock Auto are not for the turbo. I just went down this road and searched extensively for a lower cost replacement. I did find some in the UK for ~$650 total shipped (L and R) to the US.
http://www.design911.com/Radiator-for-Water-Coolant-Fluid-Porsche-996-Turbo---996-C4S---997-Turbo--Part-No-99610613174---99610613272-/prod13528/
They do offer a warranty, however return shipping (both ways) is on you. I had read some accounts of people having multiple OEM style (plastic end tank) radiators leak brand new out of the box. I didn't feel as though saving ~$300 vs buying OEM here was worth the risk. Then of course I rationalized another ~$350 to go with the CSF radiators and hopefully never have to worry about.
Of course I wanted to protect my new radiators (and existing condensers) so I started looking at bumper mesh. I bought some mesh at Home Depot and played with it a bit. I wasn't happy with the look and did not want to screw or glue anything into my OEM GT2 bumper, so I bought the Rennline mesh kit. Now I am ~$1600 into radiator replacement and protection and I haven't even touched the center radiator. Within the last 12 months I replaced the radiators in my Supra and IS300. Both were OEM Denso units for less than $105 shipped each
http://www.design911.com/Radiator-for-Water-Coolant-Fluid-Porsche-996-Turbo---996-C4S---997-Turbo--Part-No-99610613174---99610613272-/prod13528/
They do offer a warranty, however return shipping (both ways) is on you. I had read some accounts of people having multiple OEM style (plastic end tank) radiators leak brand new out of the box. I didn't feel as though saving ~$300 vs buying OEM here was worth the risk. Then of course I rationalized another ~$350 to go with the CSF radiators and hopefully never have to worry about.
Of course I wanted to protect my new radiators (and existing condensers) so I started looking at bumper mesh. I bought some mesh at Home Depot and played with it a bit. I wasn't happy with the look and did not want to screw or glue anything into my OEM GT2 bumper, so I bought the Rennline mesh kit. Now I am ~$1600 into radiator replacement and protection and I haven't even touched the center radiator.
Within the last 12 months I replaced the radiators in my Supra and IS300. Both were OEM Denso units for less than $105 shipped each Yeah I don't know how I feel about spending $1K on oem radiators that are known to fail. Dammit, I guess I may be back to spending $1300+ on CSFs. Lol. I know that snowball affect all too well... And that damn Pcar tax..
#7
05-19-2015, 04:05 PM
I recommended those sometime ago, they are trash... 1000km and they are gone already... was almost going to have a big crash at the track... breaking at 140+mph and had coolant on both wheels on the right side... smoke and everything for a big show... stay away !
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#12
05-19-2015, 09:32 PM
most failures are the plastic end tanks cracking or failing to seal...the cores weeping seems to be common also from experience.
Don't want to call the factory rads 'junk' but they do have a high 'issue' rate...
Don't want to call the factory rads 'junk' but they do have a high 'issue' rate...
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