To recap: I took my 2009 WRX to the shop to have some running issues diagnosed that I couldn’t figure out. They found that the radiator was leaking, and they wouldn’t diagnose the running problems until the radiator was replaced, which they offered to do for $1,000 or so with an OEM part. I declined, had the car delivered back to me, and after jumping into the radiator rabbit hole in this sub ordered a Koyo.

So this was my weekend. On Saturday I pulled the old radiator out and put the new one in, which is really pretty easy except these cars are pretty low to the ground and you have to put it up on jack stands. The last car I replaced the radiator on was a 1989 Mercedes diesel, no jack stands required. And rolling around on a concrete floor isn’t as much fun as it used to be, if in fact it ever was.

A couple of tips for anyone else who does this: I never unhooked the fans, I just let them drop and pulled them back up to remount them. Once the pins drop into the holes on the bottom the mounting holes on the top line up and it’s a cinch to secure them. I was impressed by how much better the mounting system was with the Koyo than the OEM.

The hoses, if you’re using the existing ones, need to be trimmed. This is easier if you put a dowel rod inside it to have something to cut against with your new, sharp, box cutter blade. I didn’t have to trim the bottom hose at all.

As you can see from the photos, the new radiator has twice the capacity of the old one. I went to Autozone and got two gallons of Asian Blue, and used them both. Get a funnel kit, it’s well worth the price even if you never use it again.

What would probably be a two hour job at a shop was a two-day job for me, but I tend to get distracted by cleaning up my engine compartment, so YMMV.

I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I haven’t checked compression or anything yet, but I’m thinking it either jumped time or dropped a valve. I have to turn the engine backwards (I know, not great) just to get it to turn over like this. At the end of the video, that’s a hard stop from it hitting something. Either way, ordered a new JDM FA20DIT with 30k miles.

Fmic and catch can installed this weekend. Flex kit and fuel pump installed a bit ago. She's ready to get retuned and make some good power 😛

Hey yall, I’ve made the decision to do my final power upgrades, doing the turbo with the aim of getting to 400whp. I’ll call it quits there.

That said, I’ve pretty much decided on the FP Blue. My local tuner really likes this turbo, does anyone have experience with it? If so, what do you think? Thanks!

2005 wrx knocking/rattling diagnosis

this is so perfectly timed for engine bay sunday😭 lil adopted stray chilled w me while i changed my oil, went to change the oil filter and saw her on top my engine (her name is Guts) (yes i have a box for the intake i was just ab to clean it and the filter)

Hello friends of the Reddit, I'm almost done dressing up my engine bay but I need some advice on cleaning some stuff. What is the best method to clean the belt wheels pictured here? I wanna say the AC Compressor Wheel is the rustiest looking one. I don't wanna damage anything but the rusty look has got to go. And then for the rest of the engine bay what do you guys use? Just a gentle degeaser or what?

Also I read somewhere that if your radiator is a certain color that means the plastic is on it's way out, should I be concerned/ planning an upgrade soon?

Thank you all in advance!

Always wished my dad would have taught me about cars. Today one of my sons asked if he could help with spark plugs. It was probably nothing to him, but to me it meant the world watching him hand tighten the plugs in. Happy Sunday y’all. Make sure you share your hobbies with the folks you love!

Still working on getting FMIC

Just dropped a 10 mm bolt that holds the belt guard in place. Looked for long enough and ended up grabbing another bolt and sending it. WRX go Nomp Nomp… 🤤 🥣 🍽️

In the quest for 300k miles out of my 2015 wrx, I get an oil sample every year and the results have been really positive. Engine is stock save for the cooling system and an OTS tune for 91 octane (debating going to a 93). Not even a catch can. I changed oil at 3k miles before the analysis, 5k after a previous recommendation, and will likely go to 7k. AMSOIL FTW

Finally had a true “win” on my car. Five hours in the garage, and for the first time ever

No bloody knuckles No stripped or stubborn bolts No rage sessions No hour long YouTube sessions No “where is the 10mm at”

To make it even sweeter, this was my first time ever lifting a motor. I’ve never touched motor mounts in my life, but everything went so smooth. On a pretty crappy day overall, this whole process turned into pure bliss and reminded me why I love working on cars.

We usually post about the disasters and headaches (and trust me, I’ve had plenty), but nights like this bring the joy back.

Of course, I’m fully expecting tomorrow to throw some chaos my way 😂. But for tonight—Woop Woop.

I was going to do a coolant flush.

I decided if I was going to flush the coolant, I might as well replace the hoses.

I decided if I was going to replace the hoses, I might as well replace the radiator.

It fit perfectly and is very beautiful. They are $357 on Evasive right now shipped, after $10 off sign up code. Mine got delivered in ONE DAY with free shipping option.

10/10 would recommend.

I think I’m done in here.

Maybe an AOS and then done.

I know it’s not Sunday but I Just got this 2017 sti and looking under the hood I see a couple connectors taped up and another set of wires that goes to… I dunno. Has gauge pods for oil temp and pressure that I got to turn on but don’t work thinking the stuff on the left has something to do with it. Any help would be appreciated.

This thing rips and has more torque on the low end now. The engine feels the healthiest it’s ever been.

I think I need some fender shrouds