What's the deal? Is this SOP for a $400 radiator at a $200 price?

Core has flanges that interfere with the mounting brackets. Trimmed to fit.

Radiator as a whole is too damn wide to fit. Might be able to install with only one side bracket, installing the second one in situ.

So, tried to install the fans in preparation for this. WTF Let me be clear: WHAT THE ****!?

Of the eight bolts for the fans, two of them have the proper spacing. In other words, without breaking out the air tools, sheetmetal, welder etc, I can get three bolts of the eight in.

Am I all alone, or are they all this absolutely fucked in fitment?

Car is in pieces, trying to decide if I should send it back.

Thanks for any help. If someone wants to host pics, PM me with an email address.

 

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache...ient=firefox-a
argh, I guess this is how they all are. Damn that's gay.

Excuse or applaud my profanity as you see fit. Wish I'd known about the fitment issues.

 

What I did:

trimmed the sides flush to mount brackets
elongate holes in side brackets to bolt up
search ebay for " 12" slim fan" and buy one or two of the ones with curved blades
snip connectors from stock fans
viola!

The thing is a bit wide, but I found if you get the brackets on you can lower one side bracket past the little lip, then use the heel of your hand to persuade the other down past the lip. After that it's cake.

 

Hey, If it makes you feel any better, PWR's mount points are waaaaay off too.

 

Yep, it's in now, warming up, seems okay.

Once I sacked up and (gasp!) did it like a MAN, it was no big deal... been too long since I did much of anything other than maintenance/bolt-on. Kinda sad, because I'm a pretty good ghetto fabricator.

OEM fans fit okay, the driver's side one has a bit more gap at the top than I'd like, but otherwise they are looking good. If we get overheating issues, it'll be a place for improvement... I bet some 100mph tape would seal them suckers up nicely.

Man, what a BIG BITCH of a radiator. I had no idea the OEM one was so wimpy. about 1/2" thick. Unbelievable.

 

glad to hear you grew a *****

 

Chinese products tend to respond very well to sheer brute force.

 

 

hahaah that last comment was so true hahahaha

 

werd.

 

it's like a primer for a chinese turbo kit