PVerdieck

OK, so I am looking at my shop manual (94). Radiator install requires removal of stock(crap) airbox, battery, hoses, raly box and coolant fan motor connector. Then we are off to undercover, stabilizer bar and bracket removal, hoses (lower radiator/air/oil), them remove the radiator.

So start from the top then work the bottom and then remove.

Someone said it is easier to get at it from the bottom.

What is the best plan of attack?
How many hours am I looking at?
Can I just drive it up a ramp and chock it to get at the underside?
Any other gotchas here?

Tom93R1

iTrader: (2)

Go top down. I don't think it is possible to pull the radiator out the bottom. It wil help to remove the plastic skid plate looking thing off the bottom so you car get a different angle to grab things. A ramp should get you plenty of height, just make sure you have the clearance to get up the ramps.
My battery was relocated so I didn't have to bother with it and my total time was somewhere between 3 and 4 hours for my radiator replacement.
Nothing really caught me off guard, it is a very straight forward job. Just don't pull any coolant hoses while laying under the car. Ethylene glycol doesn't taste as good as it smells.

alwan16

i have done it from both top and bottom and the top is definitely easier. the only catch is if you have a stock intercooler it is a pita to remove the stock intercooler duct because you have to bend a few of the ac lines carefully to remove it. i would take it out of the bottom if that is the case. it shouldn't be a problem as long as you have someone help you put the new one in when that step happens.

it should take between 2-4 hours the first time depending on how mechanically inclined and comfortable you are. the next time it will take you 1 hour to do it

jspecracer7

The very first time I took out my Radiator(I had to replace the front oil seal), it took me a whole 25 minute for EVERYTHING. Of course this is dependent on how stock you are. I had an aftermarket IC so I didn't have to deal with the stock POS.

It took 7 hours for the front oil seal replacement(Let's just say that Dragon and I were PISSED) and put it all back inside the car in about 30 minutes.