GEN 1 Mishimoto Radiator upgrade experience?

Oh...yeah. LOL. Plus blower makes a little more heat AND the intercooler is in front of the trans cooler and radiator.


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I ended up reading this thread completely and after careful ,consideration went and ordered the Full Race radiator and trans cooler as well.
Being in Australia I am getting no change out of $2200 and the Ron Davis unit to me was almost $4k so this seemed like a worthy upgrade at what I consider to be a reasonable price point.

I've been able to do some offroading with this, and its still been warm-ish in Vegas. Trails where my trans used to get to 225-230* even on cooler 50-60* nights, on an 80* day the trans stayed around 210 (with the stock external trans cooler), oil runs 210-220, and coolant runs 195-205. Very happy with the CBR radiator.

letsgetthisdone said:

Got the radiator in. Its a really nice part. Had to trim the fan shroud on the top and bottom for it to sit properly on the radiator, and they didn't have a drain petcock in the box, so i had to grob one (its 1/4" NPT for future reference).

The thing is huge, and getting in the and the fans in isn't as easy as the stock one, but it fits well once its in. The added thickness moves the lowe hose close to the abs module/pump, so it helps getting the lower hose on if you unplug the abs module.

Other than that, it's a straight forward install IMO as far as aftermarket parts are concerned.

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Questions. I may try to install mine tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

1 - Did you just stick with the stock Motorcraft anti-freeze? I haven't even opened my radiator box yet, not sure if there are any actual instructions.

2 - What did you do about Tranny fluid? Did you fill the tranny cooler part of the radiator or just let it run until operating temp and then fill the tranny from underneath (one of my favorite ways to get burned)? I'm guessing you lose some fluid from the lines plus what's in the old radiator.

Thanks.

I did a full flush and use prestone universal coolant at a 65% water mix with redline water wetter. For your colder climate I'd stick to 50/50.

I have trans dipstick (forgot brand) so i just added what was needed. It didn't take much IIRC. I pinched the line with hose pinch pliers, and there really wasn't much fluid in the cooler.

Just thought I would post an update for those interested.
I am still waiting for my radiator to arrive since ordering it on the 18th November last year, and when I call full race now I get a lady who tells me no one is available and takes a message.
I have left 4 messages with no reply, so my recommendation would be to steer clear of these guys.
If I have heard nothing in the next week I will be doing a credit card reversal.
Not very happy at all.

Dave Burns said:

Just thought I would post an update for those interested.
I am still waiting for my radiator to arrive since ordering it on the 18th November last year, and when I call full race now I get a lady who tells me no one is available and takes a message.
I have left 4 messages with no reply, so my recommendation would be to steer clear of these guys.
If I have heard nothing in the next week I will be doing a credit card reversal.
Not very happy at all.

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Full Race gets their radiator made by CSF to their specs. When I inquired on it in September, they were looking 4-6 months for back order due to supply issues with Covid.

Wow, thanks for all of the information.
I have ended up reading the whole thread.

I am considering upgrading both the main Radiator and the Trans cooler,
I already have the "Saudi Trans Cooler" that came from OEM on my RAPTOR as I am in UAE, this cooler is the same across Gulf Countries, that comes directly from Ford installed.
and I am still looking for an upgrade as I think it's sh!*ty .. my transmission temp is 105C (around220F) normal cruising on Highway, in Summer mid of the day it gets way above that 230F minimum

and Also I did notice some problems with my truck, not responding very well while offroading for so long (I only offroad in winter), which I think will be fixed by a Rad upgrade.

bro, tbh, Ron Davis is too much to pay for me tbh, and I have had CBR on my checklist for years now, and still didn't pull the trigger on them.

but might do it next month, just before summer starts. and IDK about the Trans Cooler yet, what to do! will see about that

letsgetthisdone said:

I've been able to do some offroading with this, and its still been warm-ish in Vegas. Trails where my trans used to get to 225-230* even on cooler 50-60* nights, on an 80* day the trans stayed around 210 (with the stock external trans cooler), oil runs 210-220, and coolant runs 195-205. Very happy with the CBR radiator.

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When you upgraded the radiator what did you do for hoses? I see HPS makes a 4 hose kit, Mishimoto makes a 2 hose kit and the stock OEM Site like Tasca shows 2 that can be purchased. Did you purchase one of the two upgraded kits, order 2 new OEM or didn't even change the hoses? I have a CBR on the way to prep for a Moab trip so curious about the hoses.

Thanks!

SchmittyLBC said:

When you upgraded the radiator what did you do for hoses? I see HPS makes a 4 hose kit, Mishimoto makes a 2 hose kit and the stock OEM Site like Tasca shows 2 that can be purchased. Did you purchase one of the two upgraded kits, order 2 new OEM or didn't even change the hoses? I have a CBR on the way to prep for a Moab trip so curious about the hoses.

Thanks!

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I put new OEM hoses in.