I installed the Mountune radiator in my 2016 FiST b/c the car was running too hot during normal -- i.e., non-track -- use. I thought I'd share some thoughts and photos of the install in case it's helpful to anyone considering a radiator upgrade.
Much cooler
First off, the Mountune radiator resulted in an enormous improvement in cooling. It's hard to replicate exact conditions when making comparisons, but to give a sense: On Friday with my stock radiator, coolant temps hit 225+ just driving around town with the A/C off. Granted, it was 110 outside. Saturday, with the Mountune radiator in 105 degree temps and the A/C on, the temps never got above 192. I'm guessing this is a greater improvement than usual b/c my stock radiator seems clearly defective since it could overheat daily driving. But my experience is consistent with that of others who have reported good results with the Mountune radiator.
Installation
It took 8.5 hours from start to finish. It was the first time I ever installed a radiator, and I did a little lollygagging. I did the install by myself with the exception of reattaching the crash beam and intercooler assembly, where two friends helped. I previously installed a Mishimoto J-Line intercooler to the car as well as a front tow hook, so I have removed the bumper cover assembly previously (a bunch of times, actually). That made the radiator install go quicker b/c I was familiar with the location and sizes of fasteners, etc.
Mishimoto has a very good installation video for their radiator, which I watched twice in preparation. Highly recommended.
For the install, I used a floor jack and four jack stands. (Though it doesn't look like it in the photos, the car is supported by two jack stands in front.) To remove the crash beam and intercooler assembly, I supported it with the floor jack and then removed the bolts. After removing it completely, I supported the condenser (which is attached by hard A/C lines) with jack stands. I did this alone. If you jack your car up higher than I did, you would be able to use buckets instead of jack stands. Reassembly could be made easier if you separate the intercooler from the crash beam. (The J-Line intercooler is pretty heavy.)
Quality radiator, and that's it
The Mountune radiator really is a direct-fit, drop-in replacement. Note: Mountune provides zero documentation or installation instructions. Your $470 buys a radiator, a sticker, and the box + foam packing. That's fine, but don't forget to transfer the small air bleeder nipple from the top inside of the stock radiator to the Mountune. Same goes for the two rubber washers on the radiator's top mounting posts, which I neglected to notice until the install was complete.
Shroud fitment
As you can (sort of) see in the photos, there is a sizable gap between the shroud and the radiator, especially along the passenger side. This gap was there with the stock radiator, and I have a suspicion that the poor fitment and lack of seal contributes to the trouble my car had keeping cool while in stop-and-go traffic. Ford 'addresses' the problem by stuffing flimsy foam around the edges, which rotted and fell off. So I sealed the edges with Self-Stick Foam/Foil Duct Insulation from Home Depot. I actually don't like this stuff b/c the foil separates from the foam, but I had it laying around, and I figured I'd experiment to see if it will stick.
Cost to have a professional install the radiator
Mountune will install the radiator for $350, if you go to them in Carson, CA. They said it's a 4-5 hour job for them. When I called around locally -- I'm in Northern California -- I was quoted as low as $180 and as high as $600. A local Ford dealer said they would do it for $336. The low-cost quotes were from places that were the least familiar with the FiST, and I suspect they weren't aware of how involved the installation is. The $600 quote was from a shop that specializes in Fords. The guy I talked to was (I think) basing the price on the official Ford book that indicates how long repairs take and how they are done. So my sense -- and I'm speculating -- is that while it may be possible to remove and reinstall the radiator from below (I read somewhere that that is how Mountune does it, though I have no verification that that's true), the usual way is by removing the front of the car, which is, for professionals, a 4 to 5-hour job.
Car up on jack stands at 9 a.m.
Front bumper cover removed.
Supporting the crash beam and intercooler assembly before removing the eight bolts holding it in place.
Crash beam and intercooler assembly, which you can see on the left in the background, removed. The condenser and radiator are supported by the jack stands.
Shroud and fan assembly detached from stock radiator.
Mountune radiator attached to shroud and fan assembly. The gap between the two is pretty sizable in places, which you can sort of see toward the bottom of the photo. This is the fault of the shroud, not the Mountune radiator.
Gaps between the Mountune radiator and shroud sealed with Self-Stick Foam/Foil Duct Insulation. This may fall apart and make a big mess over time. We'll see.
Mountune radiator attached to condenser and ready for reinstallation. Everything was done by 5:30 p.m.
Much cooler
First off, the Mountune radiator resulted in an enormous improvement in cooling. It's hard to replicate exact conditions when making comparisons, but to give a sense: On Friday with my stock radiator, coolant temps hit 225+ just driving around town with the A/C off. Granted, it was 110 outside. Saturday, with the Mountune radiator in 105 degree temps and the A/C on, the temps never got above 192. I'm guessing this is a greater improvement than usual b/c my stock radiator seems clearly defective since it could overheat daily driving. But my experience is consistent with that of others who have reported good results with the Mountune radiator.
Installation
It took 8.5 hours from start to finish. It was the first time I ever installed a radiator, and I did a little lollygagging. I did the install by myself with the exception of reattaching the crash beam and intercooler assembly, where two friends helped. I previously installed a Mishimoto J-Line intercooler to the car as well as a front tow hook, so I have removed the bumper cover assembly previously (a bunch of times, actually). That made the radiator install go quicker b/c I was familiar with the location and sizes of fasteners, etc.
Mishimoto has a very good installation video for their radiator, which I watched twice in preparation. Highly recommended.
For the install, I used a floor jack and four jack stands. (Though it doesn't look like it in the photos, the car is supported by two jack stands in front.) To remove the crash beam and intercooler assembly, I supported it with the floor jack and then removed the bolts. After removing it completely, I supported the condenser (which is attached by hard A/C lines) with jack stands. I did this alone. If you jack your car up higher than I did, you would be able to use buckets instead of jack stands. Reassembly could be made easier if you separate the intercooler from the crash beam. (The J-Line intercooler is pretty heavy.)
Quality radiator, and that's it
The Mountune radiator really is a direct-fit, drop-in replacement. Note: Mountune provides zero documentation or installation instructions. Your $470 buys a radiator, a sticker, and the box + foam packing. That's fine, but don't forget to transfer the small air bleeder nipple from the top inside of the stock radiator to the Mountune. Same goes for the two rubber washers on the radiator's top mounting posts, which I neglected to notice until the install was complete.
Shroud fitment
As you can (sort of) see in the photos, there is a sizable gap between the shroud and the radiator, especially along the passenger side. This gap was there with the stock radiator, and I have a suspicion that the poor fitment and lack of seal contributes to the trouble my car had keeping cool while in stop-and-go traffic. Ford 'addresses' the problem by stuffing flimsy foam around the edges, which rotted and fell off. So I sealed the edges with Self-Stick Foam/Foil Duct Insulation from Home Depot. I actually don't like this stuff b/c the foil separates from the foam, but I had it laying around, and I figured I'd experiment to see if it will stick.
Cost to have a professional install the radiator
Mountune will install the radiator for $350, if you go to them in Carson, CA. They said it's a 4-5 hour job for them. When I called around locally -- I'm in Northern California -- I was quoted as low as $180 and as high as $600. A local Ford dealer said they would do it for $336. The low-cost quotes were from places that were the least familiar with the FiST, and I suspect they weren't aware of how involved the installation is. The $600 quote was from a shop that specializes in Fords. The guy I talked to was (I think) basing the price on the official Ford book that indicates how long repairs take and how they are done. So my sense -- and I'm speculating -- is that while it may be possible to remove and reinstall the radiator from below (I read somewhere that that is how Mountune does it, though I have no verification that that's true), the usual way is by removing the front of the car, which is, for professionals, a 4 to 5-hour job.
Car up on jack stands at 9 a.m.
Front bumper cover removed.
Supporting the crash beam and intercooler assembly before removing the eight bolts holding it in place.
Crash beam and intercooler assembly, which you can see on the left in the background, removed. The condenser and radiator are supported by the jack stands.
Shroud and fan assembly detached from stock radiator.
Mountune radiator attached to shroud and fan assembly. The gap between the two is pretty sizable in places, which you can sort of see toward the bottom of the photo. This is the fault of the shroud, not the Mountune radiator.
Gaps between the Mountune radiator and shroud sealed with Self-Stick Foam/Foil Duct Insulation. This may fall apart and make a big mess over time. We'll see.
Mountune radiator attached to condenser and ready for reinstallation. Everything was done by 5:30 p.m.
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]"){kind=icon}
