Hi Guys/Gals,
Planning to remove and replace my Rad with a new shiny aluminium one. Anyone have a step by step procedure I can follow (that does not involve bonnet removal)?

 

There is one in the shop manual which you can download from the sticky page. Please do a write up when you do the work. Especially if you are going to do the thermostat and water pump while at it. Also if you can post the exact make and model of the new shiny one, it would help others, ie me, when I need to do it next year.

 

I am not sure of the differences between my lumped S2 chevy radiator and your presumably stock S3.

However, I have pulled the radiator out of my car several times.

There are four small bolts holding the radiator upper support. Remove those, the hoses, and anything that is mounted to the radiator and it should just lift out.


If you want more room from the hood, you can remove a single small bolt that limits the hoods maximum travel.
This would allow the hood to go almost completely vertical, the springs should hold it there and you will have plenty of space to work around the radiator.

 

The Rad is from Rockauto, made by Liland Global (China probably). Part number is 33AA. Cost $145 US ($175 Cad). Looks very well put together with clean welds. I hope it fits!

See link: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...178096&jsn=923

 

Does it have the hole in the top right corner for the air intake snout?

 

If you look at the picture in the link, there is an angled plate in the upper right side that will accommodate the intake snout, so I believe it will all fit together.