Installing replacement radiator '03 WRX

[DirtModJunkie]

Looked through DYI threads for anyone else who might've done it and found none. Does that mean it's an easy drop-in, or are there any special steps involved?
And yes, got an all-aluminum instead of stock plastic rubbish...
Info on Rad said no mods or etc. required.
Thanx

-B

[mycologist]

It is mainly drop in. Just be sure to get a pail under there or you will have a huge toxic mess on your hands from the antifreeze. Also be sure you fully burp the system once you have it up. If you are going from a one cap setup to two caps you will need to T in the lines. If it is Mishimoto or analogous you will have to trim the hoses - just go slow from both ends until it clears everything. Also, the bottom hose/clamp may be easier to attach to the radiator and clamp on before you install the shroud.

How To: Install aftermarket radiator (Koyo racing rad), and flush the coolant - IWSTI.com: Subaru WRX STI Forums

Oh, and don't cut the shroud like indicated unless you need to.

[Trainrex]

Looked through DYI threads for anyone else who might've done it and found none. Does that mean it's an easy drop-in, or are there any special steps involved?
And yes, got an all-aluminum instead of stock plastic rubbish...
Info on Rad said no mods or etc. required.
Thanx

-B

Wow, your avatar brings back some memories. We cut our teeth on racing many many years ago in the pits with Brett Hearn at Orange County speedway.

[DirtModJunkie]

Thanx myc, and thats the thread I was looking for.
One thing,
"If you are going from a one cap setup to two caps you will need to T in the lines."
...meaning I need to buy a T and some hose? Can Rad cap just be capped or is it necessary to T in?

Wow, your avatar brings back some memories. We cut our teeth on racing many many years ago in the pits with Brett Hearn at Orange County speedway.

I grew up in Middletown and my girlfriend and I shoot weekly at OCFS and travel to many races, rally too. Shot the World of Outlaw Championships(Sprints and Late Models) in Charlotte, Modifieds will be joining them this year. Here's a couple clips from qualifying-
2009 WoO Sprint Qualifying teaser
2009 WoO Sprint Hotlap session

I have some video from Rally NY fall of last year I have to get online.
If you miss Dirt racing at all, please check out the site I work for, link in my signature. Tons of great photos too.

Thanx a ton guys, looking to inch my way to Stage 2 beginning this spring so I'll be in touch...lol

[Trainrex]

Thanx myc, and thats the thread I was looking for.
One thing,
"If you are going from a one cap setup to two caps you will need to T in the lines."
...meaning I need to buy a T and some hose? Can Rad cap just be capped or is it necessary to T in?


I grew up in Middletown and my girlfriend and I shoot weekly at OCFS and travel to many races, rally too. Shot the World of Outlaw Championships(Sprints and Late Models) in Charlotte, Modifieds will be joining them this year. Here's a couple clips from qualifying-
2009 WoO Sprint Qualifying teaser
2009 WoO Sprint Hotlap session

I have some video from Rally NY fall of last year I have to get online.
If you miss Dirt racing at all, please check out the site I work for, link in my signature. Tons of great photos too.

Thanx a ton guys, looking to inch my way to Stage 2 beginning this spring so I'll be in touch...lol

I miss it once in a while, but we got bit by the asphalt bug a long time ago. We run mods weekly at Wall.

[mycologist]

Thanx myc, and thats the thread I was looking for.
One thing,
"If you are going from a one cap setup to two caps you will need to T in the lines."
...meaning I need to buy a T and some hose? Can Rad cap just be capped or is it necessary to T in?


I grew up in Middletown and my girlfriend and I shoot weekly at OCFS and travel to many races, rally too. Shot the World of Outlaw Championships(Sprints and Late Models) in Charlotte, Modifieds will be joining them this year. Here's a couple clips from qualifying-
2009 WoO Sprint Qualifying teaser
2009 WoO Sprint Hotlap session

I have some video from Rally NY fall of last year I have to get online.
If you miss Dirt racing at all, please check out the site I work for, link in my signature. Tons of great photos too.

Thanx a ton guys, looking to inch my way to Stage 2 beginning this spring so I'll be in touch...lol

Here is a pic of the stock two cap setup - I had mine capped for a while but the cap sucked and I decided to T it to function the way it looks here:

[DirtModJunkie]

You rock, myc.
Thanx again.

[DirtModJunkie]

I received my radiator, ordered from Racing Guys off of Ebay.
After confirming 3 times that the radiator was to be for a 2003 WRX with the person taking my order, I think they sent me the wrong one.
None of the tabs to hold the bottom fan frame pins lined up, and no nipple in the upper left corner(when looking down from front of car) to accept return hose from filler tank.
It would cost me almost the price of the radiator to return it for the right one so I have to make it work now.
Can the hose that now has no nipple to enter radiator be extended and attached the the radiator cap nipple?
Would this create a wrong-direction suction/pressure?

[mycologist]

That doesn't look good - I'd send it back.

[Anub1s]

**** that, I'd send it back to them and make them pay for the shipping. They sent you the wrong part, you're not making a return, but an exchange.

[DirtModJunkie]

This totally blows.
So it definitely wouldn't work right if I extended that hose to the rad cap nipple?
I really need to know before I go thru the whole return headache.
I don't want to hurt my powerplant by rigging it wrong....
My car will be down for atleast 2 weeks now, I'm screwed.

[mycologist]

This totally blows.
So it definitely wouldn't work right if I extended that hose to the rad cap nipple?
I really need to know before I go thru the whole return headache.
I don't want to hurt my powerplant by rigging it wrong....
My car will be down for atleast 2 weeks now, I'm screwed.

I don't know. If TR posts again that would be more in his league.

[DirtModJunkie]

I'm ordering another, from a different place.
Patching the original one just to get back and forth to work.
I'll be posting the wrong one for sale, $75 and I'll hand deliver it anywhere less than 3 hours from Orange County NY, will negotiate if farther.

[mycologist]

I'm ordering another, from a different place.
Patching the original one just to get back and forth to work.
I'll be posting the wrong one for sale, $75 and I'll hand deliver it anywhere less than 3 hours from Orange County NY, will negotiate if farther.

The Mishimoto's are a known quantity with good fitment and the welds don't look like bubble gum stuck to the bottom of a chair

[Trainrex]

That radiator is 100% incorrect. That radiator is setup for a traditional overflow tank, not a surge tank like your car has. I would demand a refund. If they don't comply, file a dispute through Ebay.

Oh, and +1 on the welds. Those are horrendous.