What are the cons to using a half width radiator?

I will need a new radiator soon, and even though I am not running a forward facing turbo, I figured why not just get the half width to save room in my engine bay and if I decide to go ff down the line I can.

 

You may overheat.

 

If you cheap out on the core then you will probably have low speed cooling issues. The kits offered are thicker than the honda rads so you get more surface area.

In the end the good half width core will run you just as much as the stock width core.

My .02, you can use the honda core to save cash but I wouldn't personally.

 

that not really true...the ams kit uses a honda koyo and the older buschur kits used honda fluidynes..

i personally went with the older buschur civic fuidyne on my own car...it has worked wonderfully..never had any cooling problems....do not cheap out on the fan you use,it can make a huge difference...i like spal fans personally

 

I was planning on going with the CBRD half width so I don't think quality will be an issue. From the way you guys are talking I guess I can assume that there wont be any negatives to using it.

 

The koyo is thicker than standard though I'm guessing? I've seen some pretty pathetic cores in the hondas so I'm guessing some would be ok while others wouldn't. I was referring to the bone stock honda ebay cores, sorry if there was confusion.

I agree 100% on the fact that a quality fan needs to be used. I have also run spal fans for years to cool my big blocks, they work awesome!

 

Yeah you shouldn't have any issues then just be sure to spring for a good fan!

 

Thanks man I was just going to use the fan CBRD provides as an option.

 

Another thing, an electric water pump will be a good idea.

 

I think there no cons on a half size radiator

 

i like the cbrd rad

 

+1

I am runnin a honda 1/2 width also but mine is a mishimoto and so far no issues works great!

 

corret me if I am wrong, but dont you lose air conditioning with a half-width radiator?

 

You're wrong

You only lose AC if you want to run most front facing manifolds.

 

i hate to bring up an old thread, but i'll be needing a half-core radiator soon.
it seems that a good honda HC rad does the trick, i imagine that going from the OE 2 row core to a 3 row core helps allot with the drop in frontal area.

i however plan on keeping the AC, useing a honda condenser as a replacement for the oe. the factory system uses a variable size orifice valve so this should allow for a minimal drop in system efficiency in all but the hottest conditions.

has any one ever done this? my searches dident turn up much.