Short story long.

Radiator on my 2000 7.3 started leaking, original radiator 208,000 miles and 23 years on it, so not a bad track record.

I can go on Ebay and get an all-aluminum Chinese radiator for $200. I can go to NAPA and get a Chinese made plastic & aluminum radiator w/lifetime warrantee for $299 . Stepping up a notch I can get a Motorcraft for $550, OR… Splurge and get a Mishimoto for close to $900.

The question, is Mishimoto worth the extra $$$. Looking at their site, they state that their products are engineered and developed in the US, BUT do not list the country of manufacture, they go thru great pains to imply that they are USA made without actually stating that.

I have a couple of Mishimoto products: Trans cooler and oil cooler, Trans cooler installed about 5 years ago, no issues. The oil cooler is clearly marked “Made in China”, tried install it, but had constant leaks , finally went with a Motorcraft..no issues.

So is Mishimoto buying $200 radiators from China, kicking up the price 400% because their logo is spray painted on it?

 

Can’t speak to the Mishimoto radiators, but if you want made in the USA check out Icebox Performance. Don’t quote me on this part number:

https://radiatorsupplyhouse.com/prod...adiator-600103

I have their intercooler on my OBS and it is very well made.

 

i went autozone lifetime warranty 5 years ago, no leaks in it yet

 

I did the same I can't remember how long ago I installed it but it had to be at least five or six years ago

 

The only experience to date that I have w/ Mishimoto is their pan gasket, and I'd probably give it a C+. The idea/concept is tops, execution is slightly better than fair. They take what I see as a quality gasket and throw in some of the lousiest hardware I've ever see for you to install it. I torqued every nut to their spec, even though I felt it was insufficient, and broke 2 studs in maybe 6 months. The first one broke in the first week, allowing a small leak to start. Come to think of it the second on may not have been 100% on the fastener. I did obliterate a good sized buck on the highway around the time I noticed the second failure. It got hung on the crossmember and drug briefly, wasn't pretty. All the same first one was all them and not a dribble, drip, or weep since replacing all their studs and nuts w/ some factory hardware using my spec.

 

Spectra factory replacement with a lifetime warranty is what I would go with. Most of the ones auto parts stores sell are just re boxed spectra radiators.

 

Replaced mine with another OEM from the Ford counter two years ago. Yes it cost a few bucks more, however the last one was the original.

 

If the OE radiator served the truck without failure for 23 years, why go with anything else?
I'm still running the original radiator in my truck.

 

The replacement from Autozone is, for all intents and purposes,, OEM . I recently replace one mine off 2003 that was leaking at the tank to coils area. (seem that is the usual place they have issues where the metal coil section clamp to the plastic top and bottom tank area..

got it online and a 25% discount for total of 254.. it did come in with the frame bent. took to local store and swapped out it a direct fit and someone with know knowledge says it the some company that does OEM..

besure to get coolant to replace.. I had replace water pump with IH type with filter and man every after 5 yrs I still get crap in the filter.

 

I got a Mishimoto 6.0 IC some 10 years ago (NIB from a FTEr) and the welds were frikken jewelry. Can't vouch for newer production tho.

If I was in your shoes I'd get the $200 chinese fully aluminum radiator, if it has a warranty. Fully aluminum construction is a big plus and let's just presume it was pressure tested.

If that does not come with warranty I'd go local box store Spectra replacement with a warranty.

 

I agree with Kwikkordead. It lasted up til now plus you know it's a perfect fit.

As aawlberninf350 mentioned, you will have to find someone with recent experience to get a decent gauge on the product. Ownership changes hands and production quality may change even though the prestige of the name brings an expectation of standards. I have that t-shirt.

When I replaced mine I went OEM. No issues and no regrets.