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Best coolant expansion tank replacement

14K views 35 replies 16 participants last post by  Mustang_Corps  
#1 ·
Just want to get a consensus of what other members are using for expansion coolant tanks ..from replacing the stock looking pony keg looking thing.
 
#3 ·
I was just investigating this issue myself, as I've been thinking about replacing the stupid, plastic "football." It would appear that the Mishimoto is the only one that has a "sight glass" (or any other method to check the coolant level). This product also apparently has "baffles" built inside, to minimize the "sloshing" issue. The downside, of course, is that some of us (especially one of my friends on this board in Southern California), understandably prefers to purchase products made in the USA.

The longstanding alternatives appear to be the Moroso, MMR and the GMS (Granatelli Motorsports) . There is also, of course, the CPC cover for the football. It's of course cheaper, and you can still get a glimpse of the fluid level, by looking below the cover. It's still plastic, though, albeit black. I'm still in the process of checking into whether any of these American-made alternatives, have interior baffles. Not a deal-breaker, but it's nice that the Mishimoto product chose to include the feature.

Michael
 
#9 ·
I was just investigating this issue myself, as I've been thinking about replacing the stupid, plastic "football." It would appear that the Mishimoto is the only one that has a "sight glass" (or any other method to check the coolant level). This product also apparently has "baffles" built inside, to minimize the "sloshing" issue. The downside, of course, is that some of us (especially one of my friends on this board in Southern California), understandably prefers to purchase products made in the USA.

The longstanding alternatives appear to be the Moroso, MMR and the GMS (Granatelli Motorsports) . There is also, of course, the CPC cover for the football. It's of course cheaper, and you can still get a glimpse of the fluid level, by looking below the cover. It's still plastic, though, albeit black. I'm still in the process of checking into whether any of these American-made alternatives, have interior baffles. Not a deal-breaker, but it's nice that the Mishimoto product chose to include the feature.

Michael
Hey, Ive said that Mishimoto makes good stuff....I just never thought the visible brand should go or sounded right with the Mustang, especially with all the other options we have.
Side note......After WWII a collector bought a beat up P-51 and restored it. It worked flawlessly. A few of the avionic systems eventually needed updating. They were replaced with Mitsubishi parts. At first flight, the plane mysteriously flew straight into the air traffic tower. So be very, very careful.....;)
 
#4 ·
What a great topic. Right up my alley. I elected to go with the Mishimoto coolant tank. It has great looks, a sight glass for coolant level and holds more than the "factory football." I'm not so much concerned where the parts are made, as I am about their quality and function. This tank fits perfectly and looks awesome. I must also mention that Mishimoto provides replacement hose clamps for all of the hoses that need to be removed to accomplish the swap, and they are the highest quality stainless steel clamps I've ever seen. And the price for the tank is reasonable. That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. Not only that, I take my car to shows and always get compliments on that tank.
 

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#5 ·
So there is alot to choose from ..one of the best looking ones I seen was the shelby tank .but again no sight glass ..the others pretty much the same ..I do believe the mishimoto is the best bet and price is fare . their R&D design is based out of New Castle Delaware..owner is Mike Sullivan ..seems pretty American to me ..I don't think I would run ther radiator or intercooler . .but catch cans and coolent tanks would be fine ..I have also seen a cover that fits the stock unit looks ok by MMD..but for a $100 ..I would just rather upgrade the the unit for a little more .
 
#7 ·
I've got the GMS mirror polished. I like the look of it, but it is more expensive than the others, does not have the baffles (although I don't notice any sloshing), and does not have the level view window (which is a good feature on the Mishimoto). If I had to do it over, I would probably have gone for the Mishimoto instead and saved a few bucks.
 

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#8 ·
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I just decided to paint mine while I figured out which one I wanted. I'll probably leave it as is. This picture doesn't sho it Bry well, but you get the idea. Also painted the engine cover.
 
#19 ·
Ahhhhh! I think I just threw up in my mouth a bit.
 
#24 ·
The Mishimoto unit is the one that I had installed on my EB. A visually stunning piece in polished aluminum ........ there were two issues though. Aluminum syncs / wicks heat so the tank becomes nuclear hot after a drive and stays that way for a long time ....... no touching for sure. The plastic football can be handled somewhat if needed. Also, the lower sight glass elbow was touching my upper radiator hose causing a slight wear spot which would of eventually leaked if I had not caught it. You can fix this by either twisting the upper hose so it does not touch or by making a shroud to cover the contact point. I did the latter ......... cutting a piece of radiator hose, punching a hole in each end and using a zip tie to draw close. I rotated the zip closure to the bottom and you could not even tell it was on there ............ ;-)
 
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#26 ·
Sure thing .......... on the way to my Bud's speedshop to get the camber adjusted ........ Virginia International Raceway is in my future ......... ;-)

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#28 ·
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#30 ·
Here is a better pic of it now. Painted the charge pipes with gold engine paint and they turned out nice I think. Engine cover is standard Dupli-color ceramic blue engine paint. (It matched the blue on a Ford Racing shirt I had on at the time so I figured that was a good sign. :)
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