Honda radiator question

[Ryan]

My radiator in my 2001 Honda Civic EX 1.7 VTEC went bad. Started leaking. I have 230,000 miles on the car. I purchased a Koyo radiator to replace the original Honda one. I can’t find a replacement radiator that does not come with the automatic transmission cooling line hookups. I called the parts store and they only offer one style to cover both transmissions. They said I need to plug the automatic transmission hookups off.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/koyo-cooling-radiator-plastic-tank-g1000121186kcs/10744318-P?vehicleIdFromReq=-1&isAllVehicle=true&vehicleIdSearch=-1&searchTerm=g1000121186kcs&showTitle=

Am I better with a Denso radiator?

Am I able plug these off for my manual transmission car? Will plugging them off effect the cooling of the engine? Are aftermarket radiators a bad idea in Honda cars…should I replace with a OEM Honda radiator? They are 3 times the price.

Thank you for help. I have the car tore apart in the garage and will not put it together until I here from my friends of this site.
See pics below.

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[Matt]

Those aftermarket radiators aren’t necessarily a bad thing, nor is having the automatic transmission lines. I think I remember seeing Eric use one in a manual car at some point, and just plugged off the lines. As far as the OE/OEM/Aftermarket goes, I think Denso is the OE manufacture for Honda, so you could always get a Denso (not honda) branded part which would be identical, except for the Honda branding if that makes you feel better, but I’d be quite happy with the Koyo radiator you have there already.

[Andrew Phillips]

You can just plug the ATF cooler lines. Having those lines included will not diminish the performance of the radiator. Koyo radiators are pretty good. You’ll be happy with it.

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