DAIWA RACING LABO DRL RADIATOR FOR NISSAN GT-R R35 DRLRA020060

 

DAIWA RACING LABO DRL RADIATOR FOR NISSAN GT-R R35 DRLRA020060

The DAIWA RACING LABO (DRL) Racing Aluminum Radiator DRLRA020060 is a premium motorsport-derived radiator developed specifically for the Nissan GT-R R35 and is aimed at owners demanding stable cooling during repeated high-load driving.

Technical Explanation

Racing DNA

Unlike many aftermarket radiators that simply increase core thickness, DRL developed this radiator using technology derived from SUPER GT GT300 race cars. 

The philosophy is to maximize total cooling efficiency, not just coolant volume. 

Core Specifications

• Part Number: DRLRA020060
• Vehicle: Nissan GT-R R35 (2007 onwards)
• Core Size: 450 × 728 × 36 mm
• Dry Weight: 6.6 kg
• Filled Weight: 10.4 kg
• Direct bolt-on installation with no cutting or chassis modification required. 

Engineering Philosophy

Most aftermarket radiators increase cooling by making the core thicker (40–60 mm). While this increases coolant capacity, it can reduce airflow through the radiator at speed.

DRL takes the opposite approach:

• Thin but highly efficient aluminum core
• Optimized fin density
• High thermal conductivity materials
• Reduced airflow restriction
• Better evacuation of hot air from the engine bay

This creates a radiator that works exceptionally well during continuous high-speed driving where airflow is abundant. 

Performance Advantages

1. Superior Heat Rejection

• Keeps coolant temperatures stable during repeated acceleration.
• Minimizes heat soak after several laps.

2. Improved Airflow

• Lower restriction means more air reaches the intercoolers, oil cooler, and engine bay.

3. Lower System Weight

• Lightweight aluminum construction helps reduce front-end mass.

4. Bolt-on Fitment

• Retains factory mounting points.
• No permanent modifications required.

Ideal Applications

• Circuit racing
• Time Attack
• High-speed highway driving
• 600–1000+ hp GT-R builds
• Track-day enthusiasts

Comparison with Other Premium Radiators

Brand	Main Philosophy	Best Use
DAIWA RACING LABO	Airflow efficiency + race-derived engineering	Professional track driving
CSF	High-capacity multi-row cores	High-horsepower street/track
Koyorad	OEM-quality durability	Fast road and occasional track
Mishimoto	Cost-effective cooling upgrades	Street performance
PWR	Motorsport-grade handcrafted radiators	Professional racing

Final Verdict

The DRLRA020060 is one of Japan’s most technically sophisticated radiators for the GT-R R35. 

Rather than relying on a thicker core alone, it focuses on thermal efficiency, optimized airflow, and reduced aerodynamic resistance, making it particularly effective for endurance racing and repeated high-load operation. 

If you’re building a serious R35 for track use, it belongs in the same elite category as CSF and PWR cooling systems, with a distinctly Japanese motorsport engineering philosophy. 

DAIWA RACING LABO DRL RADIATOR FOR NISSAN GT-R R35 DRLRA020060