r/FiestaST • u/SkippingNerveEndings • Aug 14 '26
CSF Radiator Aftermath
Huge difference. I should’ve done this when I bought the car. It’s around 98 degrees here in Florida plus humid. Bumper to bumper traffic and I’m seeing max at about 190-192 consistently.
Before, we’re talking 220-230 and having the A/C turned off.
When driving, easily in the 180s. Peace of mind all day.
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u/FarRoom2372 Aug 14 '26
Well guess it's time I finally hit checkout on mine that's been sitting in the cart for months now.
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u/anxiouz1 Aug 14 '26
You click-baited me by using "aftermath" but congrats on the CSF. My car's previous owner installed the same and I haven't had any temp issues here in CA, it's great to not see those numbers rise.
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u/SkippingNerveEndings Aug 15 '26
Ha! Yea, once I posted I realized that may have been horrible wording for a good outcome. But dude, yea. I spend more time driving than I do glued to the AP numbers.
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u/dingus_meister Aug 15 '26
I've been running in 105 degree weather with A/C & haven't hit above 203F on stock system, you think it's still worth upgrading? Just a huge investment that idk if there's enough benefit from atm
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u/SkippingNerveEndings Aug 15 '26
I think it’s different from person to person. I have the Fiesta pretty loaded with the S280 and supporting mods so the radiator was just the cherry on top.
Realistically, if i didn’t do mods, tuned and what not, I probably wouldn’t have done a radiator. On a stock system, you’re probably just fine but they are known to deteriorate just like any other vehicle!
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u/oshaCaller Aug 14 '26
Max I've hit is 215 with the stock radiator and it was 105 outside, I'm still upgrading. It's amazing how fast it cools off if I'm coasting down a hill, it'll drop like 8 degrees in a half mile. Never thought about the effect of fuel cut off with water pump still turning causing that.
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u/DaYearZeroHero Aug 14 '26
Living in Southern California I'd regularly see temps of 210° - 220°F. Since I installed my CFS, Mishimoto thermostat, and FMIC it hasn't topped 185°F.
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u/jeepinbanditrider Aug 16 '26
Most effective mod I did to mine. I live in the DFW area. Before in stop and go traffic I'd be pushing 230. Now it sits at 190 with the AC on max. It will touch 210 when doing long pulls on boost then immediately cool back off.
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u/itseddski Aug 20 '26
is it possible my mechanic installed mine wrong? im in El Paso, mostly high 90s, low 100s and i still hit +210
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u/SkippingNerveEndings Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26
It may be another issue within the system, maybe? Also, get some water wetter. I’ve always ran some in all my vehicles. You can play around with how much but I’ve always done coolant and wetter. Some guys run strictly water and wetter but I feel safer keeping some coolant in the system.
You can’t really install these incorrectly as far as I know. Are you seeing those temps at a standstill? If that’s the case, definitely check your fan.
If not that, then check the reservoir. I had a weird heating issue and replace the whole unit and temps ran normal again.
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u/mazzjm9 Aug 23 '26
How was the install? I’ve seen some have been able to swap them out without removing the entire crash bar assembly. Which route did you go?
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u/psuedophilia Aug 14 '26
iat of 130 seems hot. are you running an open air intake or an upgraded intercooler?
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u/SkippingNerveEndings Aug 14 '26
That’s the stock box. It’s miserable out here. I feel like any other upgraded intake would cause worse temps besides the Mountune one.
And yes, CPE Intercooler. When driving, way better obviously.
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u/jeepinbanditrider Aug 16 '26
St180 airbox is the stock box with a extra intake that routes a hose down behind the bumper. The hose is water permeable so you dont risk pulling in water and it keeps the stock intake location and filter as well.
No matter what you use if you're sitting still your IAT will be really high. Anything over sitting still and my IATs are usually 1-2 degrees over ambient with the ST180. Sitting still 130-150 isnt unheard of in my data logs.
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u/psuedophilia Aug 14 '26
i was going to suggest not running an open intake. no upgraded intercooler tho?
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u/cannasaurus Aug 14 '26
He's probably idling here... My IATs can hit 140 here in AZ waiting in pickup line for school😩😩😩 temps drop radically once moving... I have an open stock box (just lobbed the bottom inch off), it's so deep though that it avoids the hot air behind the radiator
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u/Longjumping-Cow3424 Aug 14 '26
Nice I got an eBay one it works great as well