I'm installing a new Fluidyne radiator.

I'm removing many parts to go through the top of the engine bay. I've gotten down to the bottom section of the fresh air vent infront of the intercooler but there's this canister (a dehydrator - next to the sight glass?), part of the air conditioning system, that's sitting inside it.

Looks like the canister has to come out, but can it be done without cracking open the refrigerant lines, requiring me to purge and recharge the system?

 

You can gently bend the lines. You probably could also remove the radiator from underneath the car.

 

Taking it out from the bottom is do able but you have to remove your AC condenser and power steering cooler if i remember correctly. Just bend the can out of the way that's what i did.

 

^No, not really. It should be able to slide out behind the a/c condenser if I remember correctly.

From the top, I don't remember needing to bend the a/c canister thing. I think I just pushed it out of the way a bit and worked the rad out.

I belive there was an old thread on this topic with other suggestions. Not sure if it was on this side or the fd3s.net or Ciriani site linked to in the FAQ.

 

As gracer7-rx7 mentioned, you can remove it from the bottom without removing those components. There's enough room to slide it out. However, installation could be challenging if you have a large radiator like a Koyo (or something larger).

 

+1 for replacing it from underneath. You don't have to remove the condensor or open any A/C lines. IIRC, just drop the belly pan, sway bar at the mounts (not the endlinks), unbolt the condensor, drain radiator and disconnect hoses. It slides out pretty easily. I think I taped cardboard over the condensor fins.
FWIW, Fluidynes don't always just drop in, but still typically alot less hassle than Koyo..... https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...light=fluidyne
Just take your time.

 

I guess i never really looked at trying to go from under the car. I did swap stock for koyo so I'm sure i searched and found out it wasn't a good way to attack it.

 

I had to do mine last summer and yeah you can gently bend the lines to the canister to make room. Also I had the Koyo N-flo installed and had an easier time from the top since I dropped it in with the fans attached. But yeah just be careful not bending any fins on installation.

 

its definately alot tougher taking out the rad from uptop, when I did mine I replaced it with another stock radiator, and it was still pretty hard to get out. I couldnt imagine doing that with a larger rad.