if you own a Mishimoto rad for you Supra, please read this.

[nuggets]

I just received the Mishi radiator to replace my damaged PWR. I've been comparing the two - dimension wise - and so far I can't find much that is different except for one thing: see my pics below. The Mishi top tank sits lower than the PWR's. The additional 1/4" +/- clearance on the PWR may be just enough to clear the fans when they flex, assuming that the problem is the edge of the fan blades catching on the edge of the top tank on the Mishi radiator.

Kudo's to Mishi's customer service - Pat contacted me via PM last week asking if I had any problems with the fitment. I told him that I'd let him know.

 

[IwantMKIII]

^Good observation! How about clearance to the blade tips itself, any difference?

---------- Post added at 03:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 PM ----------

Gotta admire that sort of service it's rare these days!

This is the reason Ill stick with them in the future. The fact that I can call up and present an issue and the company actually DOES something about it, it is extremely appreciated. There are all too many companies that just ignore the individual consumer's issues, for instance Netgear (such a nightmare company) or, lately, HKS; neither truly care about their customers in my experience. This company has been keeping close contact with me and contacting several others experiencing the issue in hopes of redesigning a quality, reliable product. They will be sending me a prototype to test fit and use. I requested dyno time and a stroboscope to properly test the clearances under load and so far I haven't heard back, but the fact they're even discussing redesign and have been open with the issue so far has been a breath of fresh air. Not to mention, up until my phone call, they've never heard of the problem, they simply could have sent me a replacement for $10 (also another, amazing perk) and blew off the issue as many companies would.

 

[A. Jay]

^good to know! Thanks! I've been working with a Mishimoto rep directly to aid in fixing this issue. In the mean time, keep a close on it and I would advise against long road trips so you don't get stuck anywhere.

Yesterday I swapped in the stock rad (It was behind a bunch of stuff in the backyard, I forgot to throw it away lol) for that reason. I have no shroud now though, so I'm still gonna be cautious.

Maybe it was cracked because it got hit....



They are taking full responsibility so far, they are coordinating meetings to redesign. I have been in close contact with them and feeding them suggestions. Thanks for the post. This eliminates the idea that mounts are the issue, seems to be primarily fan flex.

If you don't mind, I'd like to submit some ideas for you to suggest to them, since you kinda have a connection now. I've been responding to their messages with answers to their questions, and just that.

One thing I'd like for them to change is the mounting of the shroud. Notice how far from the radiator the shroud mounts, and how the threads on the stock rad are indented into the tanks. I'd like them to be in the tank as well. Btw, I shaved as much as I can off the threaded shroud mounts, they used to stick out even more.

And just for fun, I took pics of the MP rad in the car:

And here are pics of the shroud:

Edit: I just got a PM from Mishimoto, letting me know they're redesigning and they'll keep me updated

 

[nuggets]

IwantmkIII, here are pics for both the Mishi and PWR without the fan shroud. Interesting thing...the Mishi actually has a bit more clearance to the core - they are both the same to the tank.

 

[IJ.]

^Good observation! How about clearance to the blade tips itself, any difference?

---------- Post added at 03:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 PM ----------



This is the reason Ill stick with them in the future. The fact that I can call up and present an issue and the company actually DOES something about it, it is extremely appreciated. There are all too many companies that just ignore the individual consumer's issues, for instance Netgear (such a nightmare company) or, lately, HKS; neither truly care about their customers in my experience. This company has been keeping close contact with me and contacting several others experiencing the issue in hopes of redesigning a quality, reliable product. They will be sending me a prototype to test fit and use. I requested dyno time and a stroboscope to properly test the clearances under load and so far I haven't heard back, but the fact they're even discussing redesign and have been open with the issue so far has been a breath of fresh air. Not to mention, up until my phone call, they've never heard of the problem, they simply could have sent me a replacement for $10 (also another, amazing perk) and blew off the issue as many companies would.

Got the same sort of service/response from PWR way back, it's a good feeling

 

[IwantMKIII]

Yesterday I swapped in the stock rad (It was behind a bunch of stuff in the backyard, I forgot to throw it away lol) for that reason. I have no shroud now though, so I'm still gonna be cautious.


Edit: I just got a PM from Mishimoto, letting me know they're redesigning and they'll keep me updated

Thanks for the detailed pictures. This is something I noticed as well, but never installed the shroud, nor needed to, temps almost always remained steady not to mention was worried about the potential contact. You're right, the shroud SHOULD be flush or close to with the core, if its not, it defeats the purpose of it. I will definitely run it by them, I don't think it should be an issue to change in the process.

IwantmkIII, here are pics for both the Mishi and PWR without the fan shroud. Interesting thing...the Mishi actually has a bit more clearance to the core - they are both the same to the tank.

Thanks for the pics too! The PWR to my knowledge uses a 52mm core while the Mishi uses a 56mm core, this is why you see the difference.

 

[A. Jay]

Thanks for the detailed pictures. This is something I noticed as well, but never installed the shroud, nor needed to, temps almost always remained steady not to mention was worried about the potential contact. You're right, the shroud SHOULD be flush or close to with the core, if its not, it defeats the purpose of it. I will definitely run it by them, I don't think it should be an issue to change in the process.



Thanks for the pics too! The PWR to my knowledge uses a 52mm core while the Mishi uses a 56mm core, this is why you see the difference.

Thanks!

 

[IJ.]

Thanks for the detailed pictures. This is something I noticed as well, but never installed the shroud, nor needed to, temps almost always remained steady not to mention was worried about the potential contact. You're right, the shroud SHOULD be flush or close to with the core, if its not, it defeats the purpose of it. I will definitely run it by them, I don't think it should be an issue to change in the process.



Thanks for the pics too! The PWR to my knowledge uses a 52mm core while the Mishi uses a 56mm core, this is why you see the difference.

57mm core

 

[IwantMKIII]

^yes, my mistake, I was thinking of Koyo.

 

[IJ.]

Yep PWR's are the largest standard fitment Mk3 Rad available, never had any of the fan issues with mine that you guys are having with the Mishi's, might be an idea if you can get your hands on a PWR to measure to get the core offset numbers and let your Mishi contact know as that's the only variable I can think of that would make a difference.

 

[whitemike]

Would it be so bad to put a thin strip of aluminum where the contact seems to happen most? Maybe like a 6" x 2" piece just blocking the fan blade from striking that spot until they fix the issue.. or is the area it strikes more sporadic than I'm thinking?

 

[IwantMKIII]

Yep PWR's are the largest standard fitment Mk3 Rad available, never had any of the fan issues with mine that you guys are having with the Mishi's, might be an idea if you can get your hands on a PWR to measure to get the core offset numbers and let your Mishi contact know as that's the only variable I can think of that would make a difference.

refer to nuggets post above, he put some good pics up of the PWR vs. Mishi

---------- Post added at 03:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Would it be so bad to put a thin strip of aluminum where the contact seems to happen most? Maybe like a 6" x 2" piece just blocking the fan blade from striking that spot until they fix the issue.. or is the area it strikes more sporadic than I'm thinking?

I have considered this as well. Don't see an issue other than blocking the air flow in that area which shouldn't affect the overall performance significantly or even noticeably.

 

[Poodles]

Still going to cause fan damage...

 

[IwantMKIII]

Compared to not having it, damage will be bare minimum. Of course, I assume he would use the metal sheet as a guide for the fan, not to shield just the core. Create a 'bridge', essentially, from the core over the lip, this will prevent any significant damage.

 

[IJ.]

refer to nuggets post above, he put some good pics up of the PWR vs. Mishi

---------- Post added at 03:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------



I have considered this as well. Don't see an issue other than blocking the air flow in that area which shouldn't affect the overall performance significantly or even noticeably.

Pics aren't accurate measurements...... :nono:

 

[Poodles]

Compared to not having it, damage will be bare minimum. Of course, I assume he would use the metal sheet as a guide for the fan, not to shield just the core. Create a 'bridge', essentially, from the core over the lip, this will prevent any significant damage.

Rapidly spinning plastic fan rubbing against metal...in other words it's gonna melt. The main point was that it's going to damage the fan and require it to be replaced regardless.

 

[supradjza80]

based on the PWR and Mishi photos and the lack of issues with PWR radiators I am guessing this is a car specific problem and not a fault of the radiator. Just my $.02

 

[IwantMKIII]

Pics aren't accurate measurements...... :nono:

Better than imagination or assumptions.....either way its a good approximation which is all we need here.

Rapidly spinning plastic fan rubbing against metal...in other words it's gonna melt. The main point was that it's going to damage the fan and require it to be replaced regardless.

So grease the metal plate, I don't know. The contact isn't consistent at all, so heating up the tips to the point of melting is unlikely. As I stated minimal damage, never said it wouldn't damage at all, if anything it will deform the tips slightly on impact if that even occurs. Chunks gone or slightly worn tips on the fan, his choice. One is better than the other IMO. He could always switch back to stock.

---------- Post added at 09:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------

based on the PWR and Mishi photos and the lack of issues with PWR radiators I am guessing this is a car specific problem and not a fault of the radiator. Just my $.02

A .25" (roughly based on the pics) obviously makes a big difference when it's already so close. Its not just my issue, its several peoples issue now. The only thing we're having difficulty with is finding a common link.

 

[IJ.]

Better than imagination or assumptions.....either way its a good approximation which is all we need here.



As I stated minimal damage, chunks gone or slightly worn tips on the fan, his choice. One is better than the other IMO. He could always switch back to stock.

Not if you're going to try to get Mishi to correct the issue....

Whatever I'm done do as you please.

 

[IwantMKIII]

Not if you're going to try to get Mishi to correct the issue....

Whatever I'm done do as you please.

At this point, its not about finding exact dimensions, its finding the problem. It would seem about .25" is making a difference here among, possibly, other things, all I'm doing is feeding them suggestions at this point. Now if they want to pay, I'll make it my problem to find exact specs but in the mean time, I'm not going to do ALL their work for them.