jwillman

I have been researching some old cooling threads and it appears the day is coming when new Behr radiators will no longer be available for OB's even if you were willing and able to spend the $800+.

Seems trying to resolve flow issues caused by a potentially blocked radiator is a crap shoot with not much guarantee of success so you could spend allot of time and money letting a radiator shop experiment on yours only to still need a new one in the end Buying used puts you at the same risk.

Buying after market is likely going to be our only choice sometime in the future. Anyone tried an aftermarket radiator like at the link below or anyone found an alternate vehicle radiator that will fit?

http://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/1...-01769_AN.html

I know many are likely to say that anything other than Behr is junk but I have had success with the other "junk" parts.

Some will call me foolish and a Heretic but I like to consider myself practical.

Looking forward to the discussion.

MjRocket

928motorsporsts sells an aftermarket full aluminum radiator, but it's not cheap by any means. Although it is a direct bolt up fit.


MJ

danglerb

The basic problem is that nobody makes a good cheap radiator, and the Behr if taken care of lasts for decades. How much is it worth to you to have a reliable radiator?

Fogey1

One could show up at a good radiator shop and give them specs or the original radiator and ask them to build a new one for you.

It's not rocket science but you do want a good, experienced shop.

ROG100

Jim I see nothing wrong in trying an aftermarket radiator as long as you are prepared to take the rough with the smooth while you play guinea pig. In fact this is how any us of find out if an alternative works or not.

I personally do not like the aftermarket aluminum radiator - not a good fit (to deep) and for some reason has issues.

Behr is the way to go but as you rightly say they are becoming unavailable. Supply is low and I have to hunt around to find them. Porsche has them but the price is very high.

I just bought a Ford Mustang cooling fan from the company in your link for $81 - yes the complete shroud and two speed motor - with free delivery. As far as the company is concerned I was impressed with there service and the part was plug and play - zero issues.

They say exact fit so worth a try - if it does not fit I am sure you can get your money back.

I am assuming your car does not have either the engine oil cooler or the transmission cooler.

Let us know how it works out.

Hopefully they have something for cars with coolers as this radiator will only fit a few of the 928 models.

17prospective buyer

A rad shop can do anything you want, probably the best choice since you can have whatever you want. However i still say that fit and finish can be an issue even when you specify everything. I think buying a good condition used one is a good bet.

GregBBRD

All aluminum radiators for the 928's have been made by several different suppliers. All have leaked after a couple/few years....usually where the core meets the side tanks. There are several theories for this...but it seems to be a universal problem.

I approached a famous off road radiator maker about making radiators for these cars (seemed like the off road guys would know what they needed to use, to make a radiator last) and he told me the problem.....a high quality core that will last for 20 years (like the Behr) costs him as much (for just the core) as the people that were selling the aluminum radiators charge retail for the entire radiator. Add in two high quality oil coolers and suddenly, the Behr radiator is the "all time" bargain of the century. He literally could not build a radiator that would last for 20 years for what 928 International and 928 R Us were charging for the Behr units....not even close.

So, until Behr runs out of radiators, there really isn't any sense in me making a replacement that will last for 20 years.

However, once Behr runs out....

jcb928

FYI,

I tried to buy one of those Radiators last year,

"Buy Auto Parts <Sales@buyautoparts.com>
6/5/12

Hello,

Thank you for your order.

While processing your order, we have come across an issue. Please give us a call so we may discuss with you in further detail how to proceed. Anyone who answers will be able to help you.

Thank you,
Danny
1-888-907-7225"

Issue was they did not have the Radiator.

brealytrent

And again, I say:

I have an aluminum radiator of unknown origin that's been in the car for at least 9-10 years and it is still functioning 100%. Hell, it keeps the engine too cool, right at the first white line. Then again, I don't know how much driving has occurred in the period between then and now.

ROG100

The time is drawing near my friend!!!

Dictys

I have a full aluminum radiator in my car made for me by a local supplier.

We gave them the behr unit and they made a perfect replica which works great (it was sent back to the shop twice before accepting the final version). We had a small batch made which are installed in about 5 928's out here in Dubai.

The cooling on my car is superb whatever the outside temperature or engine load.

The same shop has also made me a improved a/c condensor and an oil cooler for my car since. All are very good quality and look like they will last.

The prices on the radiator was approximately the same as a Behr in the end. However, the improved a/c condensor and an oil cooler considerable less.

GregBBRD

Note that I didn't say it was impossible to get a high quality all aluminum radiator that would last.....just expensive.

GregBBRD

I keep hoping that you will get Behr to make "another run" of radiators...much like the good work did with Laso...getting them to improve their water pumps.

In the meantime....I keep telling all my customers the same thing....if you are planning on keeping your vehicle and the radiator is marginal.....buy a Behr now. Because in the near future, this might not be an option.

Hell, people were lucky if a Devek radiator made it 3 years. Mark Anderson had so many of his aluminum radiators leak that he simply gave up on the whole concept.

Rob M Budd

After several failures of aluminum radiators, I had one made from copper/brass several years ago for my 80 928. Fit like a glove, never leaked, about the same weight as a new aluminum one.
The fabricator said if it ever had issues, it could be re-cored, soldered, or whatever by any good radiator shop.

I tried to get the shop to make more of them but due to new management and resulting issues the design was lost.

The 80 928 was sold to a fellow Rennlister a few years ago. I'd wager its still intact.

If my 91 ever needs a new one, I'll seek out another copper/brass fabricator.

Mark Anderson

It is true that our sources for affordable radiators is diminishing and the retail market is getting more diverse. I have way more customers with $3k cars than $30k cars yet the new Behr replacement cost about the same. There is definitely a need for an affordable choice. Maybe one day someone will discover a mass produced alternative