Is an aftermarket Radiator worth it on the CB7?

[fidelamaya26]

I ask because on my LGT I broke my OEM Radiator and replaced it with a Mishimoto Aluminim Radiator. My OEM one for the CB7 is looking a little old and worn out. Would it be best just to go with an OEM one instead if I decide to replace it. The car is going to be a DD with a h22 swap in the future.

[Quashish]

ive actually wondered the same kinda thing. a guy at work says i cant use a civic half radiator because i have an automatic?? whatever hes a teg guy. i dont trust him.

but the only other reason i would get a new or different radiator besides looks, would be to make more room. those 2 fans take up a lot of space. thats just my opinion though.

[fidelamaya26]

Well on my LGT the Mishimoto is twice as thick than the OEM one. Gonna need a Mishimoto Radiator Fan & Shroud for it later on.

If I get one for the CB7 I'm gonna do It for looks mostly since I don't plan to mod it engine wise besides the H22 swap.

[deevergote]

If you're doing any extreme mods or racing, yes, an upgrade will be very helpful. Otherwise, a cheap autoparts store plastic-capped replacement will work just fine.

[Leung]

ive actually wondered the same kinda thing. a guy at work says i cant use a civic half radiator because i have an automatic?? whatever hes a teg guy. i dont trust him.

I don't see why you can't, it's not like you can't mount an aftermarket tranny cooler somewhere up there too.

[fidelamaya26]

My LGT is a AT. I just installed a Hayden ATF Cooler the PO had on it. It can be done but it takes a little more than just dropping in the New Radiator

[H311RA151N]

I would like to have a "half radiator" for my automatic aswell. Ive heard something about using a civic radiator too.

My reasoning is so I can have a massive trans cooler on the other side.

Deev, I know in a thread recently you said that the Accord automatics get a bad name because people dont change the fluid when they are supposed to. I agree that it has ALOT do to with why they fail. However after having to fork over more than a grand to have mine rebuilt early this year Id like to prolong the life of this transmission as best as I can.

I dont know if running a half radiator will have enough cooling capacity to use daily or on long trips though. Also as far as running a trans cooler how big is to big or is there such a thing?

[fidelamaya26]

Well on my LGT I'm running the Hayden infront of the Radiator. My Hayden is a medium sized one, running a big ATF cooler without a thermostat during winter time though puts you at risk of over-cooling the ATF. There is a set ideal temp you are supposed to run. Don't quote me though.

[TAMPA]

I thought as long as the fluid isnt cold it was good. An atf cooler wont make the fluid cool enough to be so cold its thick. I could be wrong but thats my idea on it.

[wildBill83]

Well tranny fluid can get too cold. Also of the two fans on the OEM radiator one is for the a/c condenser.

[H311RA151N]

Well tranny fluid can get too cold. Also of the two fans on the OEM radiator one is for the a/c condenser.

Is a trans cooler really capable of making the fluid that cold?

By "how big is too big" on the trans cooler I was really wondering about the added amount of trans fluid being too much due to having more fluid in the lines. I didnt expect to get responses about getting the fluid temp too low. But if thats going to be a problem Ill just scrap the whole idea.

And for the A/C condensor I was just planning on running a pusher fan on the front.

[badfish82]

I think summit makes A/T fluid coolers. Id be sure too look at how much fluid it holds and not too get one that holds more than a 1/4 of your total capicity. The fluid being too cold is terrible for the friction plates, if you live somewhere where the temps dont get too cold i would not worry so much about running one.

[TAMPA]

You could still try, personally I dont think it will hurt it anything

[badfish82]

No it wont hurt anything but the pocket, alot of people rocking old muscle use the same type of setups, in cold temps keep the cooler next too the trans and in warmer put it up front. Will deff look sweet, i wanna put one in mine. easy for me i have a 5speed. love the look of the half radiator for some reason.

[oni_cb7]

Is a trans cooler really capable of making the fluid that cold?

By "how big is too big" on the trans cooler I was really wondering about the added amount of trans fluid being too much due to having more fluid in the lines. I didnt expect to get responses about getting the fluid temp too low. But if thats going to be a problem Ill just scrap the whole idea.

And for the A/C condensor I was just planning on running a pusher fan on the front.

You don't really need a gigantic trans cooler, but a small external one should help the life of the trans. However, I plan on installing an external trans filter on my car; it will help, since the stock trans filter is inside the transmission. But an external cooler and filter should fit without needing a smaller radiator.

I've had my auto trans rebuilt as well.

To the OP, unless you want to make it a performance car, a stock cheap radiator is fine, just as others have said.