Koyo OEM vs Koyo Racing?

[racingking951]

So I have been doing some research on the Koyo radiators and am torn between the option of sure fit OEM or risky racing haha. The reason I say risky is because the racing radiator is for 91-94 legacy turbo and the OEM is well obviously for a 95-99 legacy. I have compared the demensions of radiators and the only differance between the two is that the racing radiator is 1.45 inches taller than OEM and does not come with the built in 4EAT cooler since its for a manual

Thickness,
Stock OEM = 12.7mm
Koyo OEM = 17mm
Koyo Racing = 53mm

Price,
Stock OEM = $78.00 + shipping
Koyo OEM = $108.00 + shipping
Koyo Racing = $239.00 + shipping + 4EAT cooler ($88.00 + shipping)

To me price is not an issue if something is worth the money. However if I did get the Koyo Racing i would be required to get a 4EAT cooler as well, which I heard is a huge upgrade in both performance and longevity for 4EAT.

But my main question is whether or not the Koyo Racing radiator is worth the money?

Links...
Koyo OEM
http://www.koyorad.com/search.asp (you need to search for it)
Koyo Racing
http://www.koyoradracing.com/products/r ... ake=Subaru (http://www.koyoradracing.com/products/radiators.asp?make=Subaru)
4EAT cooler
http://www.importperformancetrans.com/c ... -1899.html (http://www.importperformancetrans.com/catalog/miscellaneous-trans-items-lubricants-coolers-etc./long-tru--cool-lpd--transmission-cooler--22000-gvw--4490-1899.html)

[Reason]

I've been wanting to see how close the racing on fits myself. The 91-94 radiator and top mounts look like the 95-97. I have the OEM Koyo and it has the transmission cooler line. If the bottom mounting pouts are the same then I would say it should fit. I don't se why Subaru woulad change them from 94 to 95...

[racingking951]

Judging by pics from the Koyo websites I dont think they are, it looks like the Racing style has the posts closer in while ours are on the ends. Then again with most of the upgrades for our cars the parts are meant for different cars, im sure it would be simple enough to modify the bottom end so that it fits.

[Reason]

Could always cut them off and have them welded back in the correct spot which now has me thinking its time to upgrade again...

[racingking951]

Well im thinking about too, im just in the middle of my turbo build right now so i wont be getting to it for a few more months.

[Bookem]

I have a 91-94 turbo Koyo racing in my 98, there are two extra holes at the bottom of the radiator support just have two move the rubber isolators to those hole then find a way to secure (I used a couple straps of aluminum) the top as it does sit higher, there is a very small dent in my hood from it. I reused the vent/ air release plug from the stock radiator since the Koyo protruded up higher and that would hit the hood as well. Of course being thicker there was not enough room for the stock fans so I used two spal slim fans (don't buy the cheapo fans). Also had to cut the bottom hose shorter, but I believe the top hose fit fine. I can get more pics later tonight since I have my engine and radiator out I can show the different holes. Here's a pic for now
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/camerapics063-1.jpg

[Bookem]

Also I only installed this radiator to solve the coolant to turbo reservoir issue, some guys gutted stock caps and made it work but it didn't for me. Stock radiator cooled just fine on hot days, I keep the boost at 12 so not too crazy on power but it looks pretty dang good in there. Here's a pic to show lack of room between radiator and engine.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/mobilepics040-1.jpg

[racingking951]

hmmm that changes some things a bit for me, i dont like the idea of developing a dent in hood from this radiator and idea that the thickness is so thick that it prevents stock fans being installed. Although did you notice any difference in the running temp of the engine or anything. At the moment im leaving towards the Koyo OEM with the idea of still getting an aftermarket 4EAT cooler.

How close the fans are to the belts makes me a bit uncomfortable lol

[racingking951]

on a side note Brookem are those ac lines new? why are they so shinny

[Bookem]

hmmm that changes some things a bit for me, i dont like the idea of developing a dent in hood from this radiator and idea that the thickness is so thick that it prevents stock fans being installed. Although did you notice any difference in the running temp of the engine or anything. At the moment im leaving towards the Koyo OEM with the idea of still getting an aftermarket 4EAT cooler.

How close the fans are to the belts makes me a bit uncomfortable lol

Dent in the hood is very small, thickness of a fingernail. Cooling ( I added to my previous post while you must have been typin) does take a little bit longer to warm up in the winter once the t-stat opens. Picture is kinda deceiving with slim fan/ belt clearance plenty of room, but not a chance with stock fans.

[racingking951]

I see and after looking at my stock set up the distance between the fans and belts is about the same as yours if not closer. so i guess it wouldnt be such a bad idea to upgrade it. I would just want to try and find some way to make the radiator sit a hair lower so as to take away from the chance of denting.

[Huffer]

^^ don't worry about the denting part. You could easily grind away that part of the hood skeleton and be just fine. Anytime you use non-stock parts you'll have to expect some kind of massaging to get it to work.

[Garrison]

Anytime you use non-stock parts you'll have to expect some kind of massaging to get it to work.
+1
Especially anything found on eBay

[Reason]

I'm going to consider getting this hood, the pics and info help a lot! Thanks. I'll end up getting a Mishimoto radiator since that is one of my lines and it should be less expensive.

[harrymaneuvers]

Are you getting the x-line? From what I have read, the third row wont get used too much unless you are at the track or REALLY pushing it constantly.

I am looking into getting the GF's wrx wagon a new radiator... and I think I am going to go with a Mishimoto (not x-line) with a Tranny cooler.


**Edit*** Thought you were talking about a mishimoto... not a koyo.

[Bookem]

Here's a pic where the radiator sits, there are seven holes total in the 2nd gen legacies. The very outer holes are larger than the other five, 1st gen radiators use the next two (first of the smaller holes), 2nd gens use the next inner two, middle hole??? Must be for weight reduction.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/radsupport-1.jpg
Here's the small dent in the hood, I plan on getting some touch up paint and covering that up eventually.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/hooddent-1.jpg
I did have a small leak after three years of use, easy fix though. I've heard a lot of good reviews on the Mishimoto's too might want to keep that option open.

[mike-tracy]

Practically everyone I know that "upgraded" to the Koyo Racing on the Legacy turbo had it crack, myself included. There was a thread about it on the BBS. The stock unit on the Legacy Turbo, and IMO the 96-99 legacy variants keeps things cool just fine.

[1-3-2-4]

I had a koyo radiator in my 95 legacy but it was not that much but if I do replace it again tell me why should I go for a koyo which is a bit more over something else?

[Reason]

Why do you need to be convinced not to put sub parts on your car?

[1-3-2-4]

an aftermarket non koyo cools just as good as stock?

[Reason]

Im talking build quality not cooling properties. Nobody here can tell you what cools best unless the did some testing and or have gauges and used multiple set ups. Its almost saying what spark plug gives the most power. Who cares, you want quality not chinese parts (no offense to our chinese friends).

[Huffer]

an aftermarket non koyo cools just as good as stock?

"Effective" cooling depends entirely on your application. Getting a radiator that has too much capacity will result in the engine taking too long to warm up - getting one with not enough capacity will result in your system overheating quickly.

Basically, unless you are upping the power of the car significantly, or road racing a stock engine a lot, a radiator with the same number of fins and similar dimensions as the stock unit will do fine as a replacement.

If you wanted to save weight you *could* use a slimmer radiator but you would definitely want to make sure you have a way to keep things cool enough. Burning up or running out of coolant is a bad way to go.

[ouch1011]

Basically, unless you are upping the power of the car significantly, or road racing a stock engine a lot, a radiator with the same number of fins and similar dimensions as the stock unit will do fine as a replacement.

This.

Coolant de-gas bottle issues aside, you could likely use the stock radiator with no problems, assuming its in good shape. The WRX rad is only marginally larger than the stock LGT radiator.