i went out to this place called superstition mountain out in the desert in my STi and kicked up a rock (cough cough) i slowed down and my car started overheating before i could even make it back to the camp not even a full mile afterward. I quickly turned off the car cuz the Heat gauge flew staright to the top in a mtter of seconds. The water that was poured into the radiator poured right back out and i just said screw it and called a tow truck out cuz i knew i wasn't going anywhere. So i guess my question are:

1) Where and what kind of radiator should i replace for a 2006 STi. (stock/after market)

2) Though i wasn't reving past 4k rpm's, could overheating cause bad engine break in with an STi with only 3,500 miles on it?

3) Any reccomendations for a bottom bumper?


any help would be MUCH appreciated.

 

There are plenty of aftermarket radiators out there that will drop right in: Koyo, C&R, PWR, etc. The STi radiator is no different than the WRX one so there are plenty of options out there.

Consider this a good opportunity to upgrade.

Shameless plug: BTW, I have a C&R radiator sitting in my garage that was in my WRX wagon for about 5 months. I told myself I was going to drop it in the STi, but I haven't had any cooling problems at the track (and I've been lazy). I'm in Northern Kalifornia - PM me if you're interested.

 

anyone know if the overheating could of messed up the engine break-in process - my car has only 3,500 miles on it?

 

The official break-in process is 1000 miles. Many will argue if that is even needed.

If you quickly shut the car down after the temps spiked as you posted, the engine should be fine.

 

Egan is right - the 2.5 block is reasonably bullet proof... while I wouldn't recomend it, I have seen STI Group N rally cars finish stages after cracking their radiator and draning ALL of the coolant from the engine and driven miles like that. Oh and they don't drive their cars nicely. The engine did ok. I wouldn't worry about the engine components in your situation.

 

that was the answer i was looking for, thanks.

 

Basically, high temps will cause catistrophic events to take place in your engine. If, the high temps did damage, you will know about it.

1) your engine has seized.
2) lots of banging, clanking, smashing and bucking
3) much less horse power
4) blue smoke coming out the tail pipe
5) terrible gas mileage
6) exorbidant oil consumption
etc. etc.. If your car is behaving ok after you fix the initial problem - your fine.

 

so i take it Koyo is the industry standard for aftermarket STi Radiators then?

 

Koyo and PWR are the ones I have seen the most. C&R is nice because it comes with new, lower profile fans, but it costs a lot more. I'm sure there are other brands out there as well.

I think you can find the Koyo's and PWR's for around $400.

 

what do you guys think of Perrin radiators, are they any good?

 

I wasn't aware they were making radiators. Perrin has always made good quality products for our cars. Just double checkm to make sure it isn't just a re-branded radiator that you could buy cheaper from the source.

 

You may be thinking of the Perrin FMIC (front mount intercoolers) - I run one on my car and love it. Regardless, its not a radiator and I don't think they make one.

 

just ordered my new Koyo which is in route as we speak, WooT!

 

Be sure and post up some pics when you get it installed.

 

Just got it installed, Since the Koyo is slightly bigger, we had to cut a piece of the upper hose to make it fit properly and so that it wouldn't come in contact with the fan. As soon as I pick up a digital camera i'll post the pics, That won't be for a while though seeing that I'm a broke a$$.