WRX engine swap radiator questions.

Homemade WRX · 07-06-2003, 02:31 PM

Hi, I was wondering if the radiator has to be swapped in doing a WRX engine swap? I was wondering if the stock WRX one will fit into an older GC8 or if it has to be modified?
Please help, Micah

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fellfrosch7 · 07-07-2003, 12:39 AM

I'm pretty sure you have to use the WRX radiator to use the WRX radiator hoses. You can make an RS/L radiator fit, but the hoses will be different - I think they attach to the engine in different places on the WRX and the older cars.

Homemade WRX · 07-07-2003, 11:11 AM

hi, I was really wondering as to will it bolt onto the older cars? Does it have the mounts located in the same place?
I knew that the hoses came out in different places but am, wondering about how it will mount.
Thanks, Micah

Jaxx · 07-07-2003, 11:52 AM

the hoses attach to the engien at the same point ... but the radiator is diffent. you can use your L/RS radiator

and plumb it like this

(i-speed's work)

or

or mine .. i moved the lines under the radiator hose it looks much nicer now

phong · 07-07-2003, 12:08 PM

PM yamarocket630 or search for the thread in the midwest forum that details his swap (I would but I have to run). I am pretty sure he did it in his conversion.

Dan

stimpy · 07-07-2003, 03:18 PM

The waterpump is different on the turbo models. It has a forward mount for the thermostat instead of a vertical mount. However, I believe you can still use your stock radiator hose. It might be slightly pinched unless you buy a spring to prevent that.

The mounting points for the WRX radiator are different so unless you can do some custom fabrication, it won't mount in the GC/GF chassis.

-Jon

phong · 07-07-2003, 04:42 PM

Try this, this may or may not help?

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...k&pagenumber=3

Cacophony · 07-07-2003, 07:21 PM

I have an STi V engine in my RS, and I run a stock WRX radiator. Stock RS rad would not work, and it is not as good as the WRX unit. Swap it!

stimpy · 07-07-2003, 09:40 PM

What was required to install the WRX radiator?

-Jon

Homemade WRX · 07-08-2003, 04:02 PM

thanks guys, this has been a big help. I don't need to swap the radiator now but I do plan on getting a GC8 WRX alum racing one when I get some more money. Thanks for the tips and the photos really helped.
Thanks, Micah

Jaxx · 07-08-2003, 05:49 PM

oh there is one more important fact that i forgot

you need to remove the spring from the lower radiator cap this will allow coolant to flow in to the upper tank...

07-06-2003, 02:31 PM	#1
Homemade WRX Scooby Guru Member#: 33782 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: 3MI Racing LLC Vehicle: 96 bastard child search FIRST, then PM!!!	WRX engine swap radiator questions. Hi, I was wondering if the radiator has to be swapped in doing a WRX engine swap? I was wondering if the stock WRX one will fit into an older GC8 or if it has to be modified? Please help, Micah * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

07-07-2003, 11:52 AM	#4
Jaxx NASIOC Supporter Member#: 177 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Boise,Idaho,USA Vehicle: The 93 Imp W/EJ20K flat black	the hoses attach to the engien at the same point ... but the radiator is diffent. you can use your L/RS radiator and plumb it like this (i-speed's work) or or mine .. i moved the lines under the radiator hose it looks much nicer now Last edited by Jaxx; 08-11-2003 at 11:45 AM.

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07-07-2003, 12:39 AM	#2
fellfrosch7 Scooby Specialist Member#: 2389 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Las Vegas, NV Vehicle: '98 Impreza L Wagon '90 Talon TSi AWD	I'm pretty sure you have to use the WRX radiator to use the WRX radiator hoses. You can make an RS/L radiator fit, but the hoses will be different - I think they attach to the engine in different places on the WRX and the older cars.

07-07-2003, 11:11 AM	#3
Homemade WRX Scooby Guru Member#: 33782 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: 3MI Racing LLC Vehicle: 96 bastard child search FIRST, then PM!!!	hi, I was really wondering as to will it bolt onto the older cars? Does it have the mounts located in the same place? I knew that the hoses came out in different places but am, wondering about how it will mount. Thanks, Micah

07-07-2003, 12:08 PM	#5
phong Scooby Newbie Member#: 10884 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: East Montpelier, VT Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon	PM yamarocket630 or search for the thread in the midwest forum that details his swap (I would but I have to run). I am pretty sure he did it in his conversion. Dan

07-07-2003, 03:18 PM	#6
stimpy Homicidal Maniac Moderator Member#: 1612 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Austin, TX Vehicle: 2008 STI	The waterpump is different on the turbo models. It has a forward mount for the thermostat instead of a vertical mount. However, I believe you can still use your stock radiator hose. It might be slightly pinched unless you buy a spring to prevent that. The mounting points for the WRX radiator are different so unless you can do some custom fabrication, it won't mount in the GC/GF chassis. -Jon

07-07-2003, 04:42 PM	#7
phong Scooby Newbie Member#: 10884 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: East Montpelier, VT Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon	Try this, this may or may not help? http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...k&pagenumber=3

07-07-2003, 07:21 PM	#8
Cacophony Scooby Newbie Member#: 213 Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Philly, PA Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Black	I have an STi V engine in my RS, and I run a stock WRX radiator. Stock RS rad would not work, and it is not as good as the WRX unit. Swap it!

07-07-2003, 09:40 PM	#9
stimpy Homicidal Maniac Moderator Member#: 1612 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Austin, TX Vehicle: 2008 STI	What was required to install the WRX radiator? -Jon

07-08-2003, 04:02 PM	#10
Homemade WRX Scooby Guru Member#: 33782 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: 3MI Racing LLC Vehicle: 96 bastard child search FIRST, then PM!!!	thanks guys, this has been a big help. I don't need to swap the radiator now but I do plan on getting a GC8 WRX alum racing one when I get some more money. Thanks for the tips and the photos really helped. Thanks, Micah

07-08-2003, 05:49 PM	#11
Jaxx NASIOC Supporter Member#: 177 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Boise,Idaho,USA Vehicle: The 93 Imp W/EJ20K flat black	oh there is one more important fact that i forgot you need to remove the spring from the lower radiator cap this will allow coolant to flow in to the upper tank...