OK, I'm going to attempt to install a radiator tomorrow, so I figured I'd get some input from everyone on any issues I may not know about. First of all, I need to know how difficult and time-consuming this is going to be. Second, if there are any big things that I should definitely know before starting, please let me know. I was told that I have to take it out through the hood, and I saw alot between it and the hood when I took the plastic cover off the top. Is this something I will be able to do with basic mechanical skills, or is there something I can possibly mess up in the process. Quotes from shops start around $175. Am I better to pay this, or is it a rip-off? Thanks!

 

yes yo can do it. search using keywords "koyo" or "fluidine" or search in the 3rd gen section for a user named silver7. he had a nice writeup on doing it.

 

You can do it yourself (as long as you got a drop in radiator). Just be sure to take all the air out.

 

I have a Koyo. No problems here. BUT, my car is far from stock. Either way, when my car was stock, I replaced the stock radiator with a slightly larger koyo(only available here in Japan...with platic end tanks) and it took me about 1 hour to take it out, put the new one in and burp the system.

 

All you need is a 10mm wrench, and pair of pliers.
1. Drain coolant
2. Remove plastic intake cover, Intake box, intercooler hoses, AST, intercooler, intercooler inlet, and battery with tray.
3. Remove (and replace) the raditator hoses.
4. Unbolt the radiator
5. Bolt the new one in.
6. Reverse order to complete.

3 hours tops for your first time.

 

Also, to add to what spooledup7 wrote, replace the stock radiator hose CLAMPS. The stock ones suck. Get something that you can loosen and tighten.

 

replace your turbo coolant hoses and your upper and lower radiator hoses while you have everything apart....good PM.....the turbo coolant hoses get soft pretty quick from the heat

 

Might want to replace the AST while you are in there....