I am still finishing up my timing belt replacement project, so I haven't finished reinstalling all of my hardware, which includes the accessory drive belts, radiator, fans.
My suggestions:
If you haven't already, get the SC radiator with the thicker core. It bolts in place of the non-SC, which is different only in the thickness of the core. I have not installed my new, thicker radiator yet. TYC brand, PN 2409.
Consider tossing the clutch fan in favor of a single or dual electric fans.
@RacerXXL has a single 14" with a shroud. I have twin 12" with no shroud. It can keep the engine cool with only 1 of the fans running, so 2 is just good insurance. I thought I needed 2 since they're smaller, but I've tested them in town and on the freeway and 1 works just fine.
Consider adding an extra trans cooler. If you continue to use the one in the radiator (instead of bypassing it altogether), then the line from the trans that pumps fluid to it should go to the radiator first, then out to the external cooler. (That's what my DeRale kit says, anyhow.)
I've decided to bypass mine. The idea is to keep as much heat out of the radiator as possible so all it has to cool is the engine. The AC will add heat if I use it, which I probably will, but moving the trans fluid out of being in direct contact with the coolant will hopefully reduce the heat load on the radiator.
I had installed it a week ago but with input from a buddy, decided to move it, which I was able to do yesterday. I had it on the corner, behind the bumper skin, below the passenger headlight. He was concerned that a parking lot fender-bender could sideline the rig, and it made sense, so I moved it. I still need to button up the hoses and fan wiring. I also moved the horns that were in the way to a new location, which was easy. The cooler sits behind the bumper at the bottom so it'll get plenty of air, and I intend to wire the fan to push air down.
Somewhere around here, I thought I had another external cooler, but it seems to have sprouted wings. Eventually I'll find it and add it in parallel for more cooling capacity. It's just for insurance and peace of mind.
(
The holes in the top of the bumper are in a shortened bumper from my old 2001. It had been involved in a one-car slide off the freeway on black ice. I was not driving. I use those to attach the 2004 skin.)
