Rep Power: 0

Okay, so of the 2 biggest mechanical issues I have left to fix, the radiator seems to be more pressing. It's been slowly leaking coolant for quite some time now but when I checked it out last night and saw from where and how it became clear I really should fix it sooner than later (hairline crack top front, directly in front of the large hose connection below the filler). I see Amazon has a Denso replacement for cheap, and I know that Denso is an OEM part maker for Honda, but I'm not super keen on the use of plastic. For about 2.5x more I can get an all aluminum one that's all "high performance" and such (2 row, etc.). Now while the fitment thing says the aluminum one fits my car, the part desc. says MT only, and I note in the picture it doesn't seem to have the 2 brass stems coming off of it like the Denso one does.

I guess my first question is, do I have a legitimate concern about the use of plastics, and 2, is going for that all metal one worth it to avoid plastics? Pretty much every other compatible rad I can find seems to be the same single row plastic/aluminum composition. Just want to be sure I'm getting something good that won't fail quick. TIA.

 
Rep Power: 208

then how about a honda OEM rad?

 
Rep Power: 0

Same as the Denso (if not a Denso part) from all that I read, and so likely to eventually have the same problem as the current one, namely plastic wearing out, cracking, leaking coolant, and needing replacement.

 
Rep Power: 242

I bought the Denso one from Amazon. The oem is plastic. Being plastic is not always a bad thing. I felt the Denso was good quality for the price.

I also found that the Denso seemed to an OE match since they make the OEM radiator.

 
Rep Power: 221

Do you have a manual trans car? Because if you have an auto then you may need those two brass fittings for the auto tranny.

 
Rep Power: 511

Alternatively, you can tap the coolant lines and run a dedicated transmission cooler. I'm speaking theoretically, however, since 1) I have manual tranny and 2) I haven't looked into it at all.

Edit: that is, of course, you decide on the high performance MT-only rad

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, I just went ahead and got the Denso one. If this one made it this far before leaking, the new one will undoubtedly outlive the car.

Nope, auto.

Yeah, no. No sense in trying to do things the hard way. I have the Denso rad coming. For now I cleaned the area where the rad is breaking, sanded it down, and JB Welded it. It's still leaking a little but it should hold until the new rad arrives.

 
Rep Power: 511

Yeah, figured as much. Just thought I'd throw another option out there

 
Rep Power: 0

It's appreciated. Maybe if I didn't have a bunch of other more important stuff I needed to do with the car I might have tackled such a project.