Monaro 5.7 Radiator

[Martin350]

Hello again.

I have a 2006 Monaro CV8, 5.7 LS1.
I noticed the other day that my radiator is leaking down near the bottom hose.

I've read a lot of good stuff about the Mishimoto aluminium replacements so I'm looking to get one of those.

However, the listings seem to be a little vague or contradictory regarding which models they fit.

Are the radiators the same in the 5.7 LS1 and the 6.0 LS2?
Is there a change point on any year?

These are the two listings I'm looking at:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mishimoto-Aluminium-Rad...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mishimoto-2004-2006-Pon...


Thanks,
Martin.

[CV8revver]

Hi Martin

I'm not sure if there are any differences between years but there are two different part numbers so I'd assume so.

Both your links have the part numbers "MMRAD-GTO-05" and in the description says its a direct swap for the 05/06 GTO not the 04.

The part number for the 04 is "MIO-MMRAD-GTO-04"

This ebay post speciffically says it's for an 04 GTO:
"https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mishimoto-MMRAD-GTO-04-Performance-Aluminium-Radiator-Vauxhall-Monaro-V8-/201974511066"

Hope that helps dude

Trev

[Martin350]

Hi Trev.

I think that does answer it then.
The earlier one has the top hose in a different place.

Many thanks!

[JoyCV8]

You're right, they are different. Big boot 04 models have a separate expansion tank near the passenger side strut tower .. small boot 05/6 cars have the expansion tank built into the rad.

[Martin350]

I just had a look at some photos online and you're right about the expansion tank too.

Thanks, I'm confident I've ordered the correct radiator.

[Null.Performance]

This thread leaves me a little confused.
Which one of the following products would fit my 2006 small boot/twin exhaust CV8 LS1?

MMRAD-GTO-04
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201974511066?hash=item2...

or MMRAD-GTO-05
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mishimoto-Performance-A...

Any help is appreciated. Currently my OEM radiatior is doing just fine. But we all know those plastic end tanks will start to leak at some point.
And as the car will go into winter hibernation soon, I am currently sourcing all sorts of general maintenance and upgrade parts
to get the car in even better shape for next year

[stevieturbo]

Null.Performance said:

This thread leaves me a little confused.
Which one of the following products would fit my 2006 small boot/twin exhaust CV8 LS1?

MMRAD-GTO-04
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201974511066?hash=item2...

or MMRAD-GTO-05
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mishimoto-Performance-A...

Any help is appreciated. Currently my OEM radiatior is doing just fine. But we all know those plastic end tanks will start to leak at some point.
And as the car will go into winter hibernation soon, I am currently sourcing all sorts of general maintenance and upgrade parts
to get the car in even better shape for next year

What engine do you have ? LS1 or LS2

[Null.Performance]

stevieturbo said:

What engine do you have ? LS1 or LS2

Mine has an LS1, and it does have the expansion tank built into the radiator, there is no plastic coolant expansion tank to be seen anywhere under the bonnet.

[Lincsls1]

Well since you don't have a remote expansion tank it sounds like exactly the same arrangement as the 6.0 litre VXR version so I'd suggest it can only be the second link.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mishimoto-Performance-A...

[vxr2010]

Just too add , i have had a few mishimoto rads on my scoobies , i think they are a good purchase , the warranty system is very good too , the only issue i had maybe more related to the scooby set up , where the cap is and the little metal pipe screws in just below the cap the thread stripped , a local place did a repair for me which has worked very well , the scooby also seemed to run a bit cooler , if i did buy one for a car i would fit it and keep original rad as a spare , they are a good price for what they are and they do look good , a rad swap on the ls1 monaro is pretty easy i expect the same for yours

[Null.Performance]

Lincsls1 said:

Well since you don't have a remote expansion tank it sounds like exactly the same arrangement as the 6.0 litre VXR version so I'd suggest it can only be the second link.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mishimoto-Performance-A...

Thanks Lin, much apprechiated
Just ordered the MMRAD-GTO-05.

Keeping these cars on the road and maintained up to highest standards will only get more and more difficult as the years go by,
so I will definitely keep the OEM radiator as a spare one in case i ever need it again.

[stu vxr]

Null.Performance said:

Thanks Lin, much apprechiated
Just ordered the MMRAD-GTO-05.

Keeping these cars on the road and maintained up to highest standards will only get more and more difficult as the years go by,
so I will definitely keep the OEM radiator as a spare one in case i ever need it again.

The mishimoto radiator is a nice bit of kit, I changed mine as an upgrade because I was on my second standard radiator and never liked the plastic end caps on the original.

Some say it provides cooler running, I never experienced this and I would say it runs slightly hotter, it needs a slight modification on the fan shrouds to fit, also there is no need to remove the side deflector plates as per the you tube video.

Also it's very difficult to get rid of the air when refiling, jack the front of the car up and burp the hoses as required, I also kept the original just in case.

[Martin350]

I've been right busy this week and just seen this.

If it's any help the radiator I bought for my now ex-Monaro was this one.





The fans and hoses were a straight swap with no hassle or modifications required.



I did have to bash out the top mountings on the body of the car a bit, like this:



And the plastic cover over the top of the radiator no longer fitted, but it didn't cause me any issues, and you can admire the shiny aloominum radiator every time you open the bonnet!

[stu vxr]

My car is the VXR LS2 so obviously a little different and I re-fitted the plastic cover over the radiator as I wanted to keep the stock look.

[DeyrickG]

stu vxr said:

The mishimoto radiator is a nice bit of kit, I changed mine as an upgrade because I was on my second standard radiator and never liked the plastic end caps on the original.

Some say it provides cooler running, I never experienced this and I would say it runs slightly hotter, it needs a slight modification on the fan shrouds to fit, also there is no need to remove the side deflector plates as per the you tube video.

Also it's very difficult to get rid of the air when refiling, jack the front of the car up and burp the hoses as required, I also kept the original just in case.

Just got one for my 2004 Monaro CV8 (big boot), was yours a 04 as i just tried the Fans and shroud and they seem to fit ok with it out of car, you mention it needs a slight modification, what was it. Is it the removal of the small lug sections that the original clipped over??.

[stu vxr]

DeyrickG said:

Just got one for my 2004 Monaro CV8 (big boot), was yours a 04 as i just tried the Fans and shroud and they seem to fit ok with it out of car, you mention it needs a slight modification, what was it. Is it the removal of the small lug sections that the original clipped over??.

No mine is an 05 I have the VXR LS2 engine, the only modification I had to do was where the top hose went on the radiator, when I fitted the fan assembly the shroud had a slight foul on the hose which I didn't like, hence I had to take a tiny amount off the fan shroud.
Everything else was perfect and as said fitted the plastic cover to maintain factory look.

With regard to the lug on the plastic cover I just moved the clip back a little as the mishimoto radiator is thicker.

[DeyrickG]

Thanks for answering, I got basic info from MWP, Trim as required.

Tried the Fan Assy on Rad before putting in car, needed minor filing of the lugs to ensure the assy sat low enough in the clips on the rad.
Also dremeled away a bit to clear drain plug. First 3 pics.

The Left hand side deflector plate looked like it needed trimming as it had a moulded section to curve round end of plastic Rad, would obviously be in way of Square ended Mishimoto, so I cut it away with Dremel (careful of small cable loom). Pic 4 (The Original Rad caught up on that when taking it out)

Only other bit I did was fettle some more of the top metal frame, I had filed some (as in pic) to enable the AC stuff to be moved far enough forward to clear original Rad Clips, the Mishimoto has slimmer clips so was easier putting it in.

The Mishimoto without fan assy dropped in very easy, I left the Donuts off either side until it was lined up, just raised it to put them on then it dropped in, wiggle to get bottom mounts in and bobs your uncle.

All cleaned up, rust sorted and painted back together now, ready to fill tomorrow.



Pic
Pic
Pic
Pic
Pic

Edited by DeyrickG on Saturday 19th February 21:44

[bonesxu1]

Would I be correct in saying that if you have an earlier 5.7 LS and you wanted a tidier engine bay you could get rid of the wing mounted header tank and upgrade to the later 05/ 06 rad and pipe work? Is the thermostat housing any different?

[DeyrickG]

Probably same housing, looks like mine in the Video I looked at which was a 2006 Pontiac GTO for replacing with a Mishimoto, just to get an idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HJSItK3OtY

If the later Rad is a different size you may run into fitment issue though in the earlier CV8 big boot model.

[stu vxr]

[quote=DeyrickG]Thanks for answering, I got basic info from MWP, Trim as required.

Tried the Fan Assy on Rad before putting in car, needed minor filing of the lugs to ensure the assy sat low enough in the clips on the rad.
Also dremeled away a bit to clear drain plug. First 3 pics.

The Left hand side deflector plate looked like it needed trimming as it had a moulded section to curve round end of plastic Rad, would obviously be in way of Square ended Mishimoto, so I cut it away with Dremel (careful of small cable loom). Pic 4 (The Original Rad caught up on that when taking it out)

Only other bit I did was fettle some more of the top metal frame, I had filed some (as in pic) to enable the AC stuff to be moved far enough forward to clear original Rad Clips, the Mishimoto has slimmer clips so was easier putting it in.

The Mishimoto without fan assy dropped in very easy, I left the Donuts off either side until it was lined up, just raised it to put them on then it dropped in, wiggle to get bottom mounts in and bobs your uncle.

All cleaned up, rust sorted and painted back together now, ready to fill tomorrow.



Pic
Pic
Pic
Pic
Pic

Edited by DeyrickG on Saturday 19th February 21:44

[/quote



Glad all went well the trick is to take your time, surprised you had to tweak the side deflectors I thought that at first as per the video I watched, but not necessary, the Mishimoto video actually tells you to remove them! Which I did, this affected running temps.
I reinstalled them shortly after the install with no modifications required.]