The 94GT Radiator

[GLCraig]

A few weeks ago the radiator in my 94GT sprung a leak and I had been using a loaner until Sunday afternoon. When the loaner was put in, it was discovered that a 94GT radiator must be a little different from other Gen1 Legacy radiators. The loaner didn't sit as high in the core support and the hold down brackets need some tweaking to keep the loaner radiator in place. After some research I found out that Subaru used a special radiator in both the 94GT and 94GX. My guess at this time is that Subaru used the core support from a Gen1 Legacy Turbo in the 94GT and 94GX because the Turbo Legacy used a taller radiator.

 

So with some comparison with other Legacy Radiators I found out that the real difference was the lower mounting bracket and I could just swap brackets with another Legacy Radiator and be good as new. The bad new is that aftermarket radiators are all metal and their brackets are soldered to the tank, where my original radiator had brackets that bolted to the tanks. So I had to use an original SOA radiator for the swap. The one I found came out of a later model Legacy, and it had a thicker core to it too.

 

The first Pic is the loaner in my engine compartment. Notice how low the radiator sits and how the hold-downs don't fit right.

 

 

 

This next pic is my original radiator on the right and the loaner on the left. Notice the difference in the lower brackets.

 

 

This next pic shows the difference in the core thicknesses. My original one is on the left and the used replacement is on the right.

 

 

This final pic is of how the replacement radiator sits with the lower bracket from my original.

 

[edrach]

Good write-up Craig. Should be in the USRM for future use.