Had the opportunity to install a Mishimoto Oil Cooler (with thermostat) over the New Year's weekend and thought I'd post up a few tips for the next person to do an install:
1) Make sure you have a 12mm hex socket which is long enough. Or, go to Home Depot and all the local parts stores all afternoon looking for one.
2) Buy extra insulation for the steel braided hoses. It's useful to cover them where the hoses route around the front crash structure, around the radiator support, and into the engine bay.
3) Take extra care in watching where the lines route inside the engine bay. They can come very close to the radiator hose and AC hard lines.
4) If you're going to open up the grille at all, plan on it taking longer than expected. A Dremel tool with a cut off wheel comes in handy.
5) The OEM radiator has a bleed port at the top center. This is so much easier than other cars.
6) When you first start the car after the install, hold down the accelerator and clutch pedals at the same time, then push the start button. The car will crank but not fire. Push the button again to disengage the starter. Don't overheat the starter. This will help build up some pressure and fill the new oil cooler lines with oil so that there is less chance of starvation upon initial start-up.
That's all I can think of for now. Hope this helps someone in the future.
1) Make sure you have a 12mm hex socket which is long enough. Or, go to Home Depot and all the local parts stores all afternoon looking for one.
2) Buy extra insulation for the steel braided hoses. It's useful to cover them where the hoses route around the front crash structure, around the radiator support, and into the engine bay.
3) Take extra care in watching where the lines route inside the engine bay. They can come very close to the radiator hose and AC hard lines.
4) If you're going to open up the grille at all, plan on it taking longer than expected. A Dremel tool with a cut off wheel comes in handy.
5) The OEM radiator has a bleed port at the top center. This is so much easier than other cars.
6) When you first start the car after the install, hold down the accelerator and clutch pedals at the same time, then push the start button. The car will crank but not fire. Push the button again to disengage the starter. Don't overheat the starter. This will help build up some pressure and fill the new oil cooler lines with oil so that there is less chance of starvation upon initial start-up.
That's all I can think of for now. Hope this helps someone in the future.
![[wrenchin]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wrenchin.gif "Wrenchin [wrenchin]"){kind=icon}
