Front end update+upgrade 2003 3.0i

[CarbonAdam13]

I recently bought a 2003 3.0i with about 68k miles, really clean. I decided to start a refresh and upgrade to the cooling system, belts, pulleys, oil filter housing, spark plugs and coils.
For plugs and coils I went with NGK and Dinan (not pictured here).
For cooling I upgraded to a performance Steward water pump, CSF rad, new thermostat, new upper and lower rad hoses, new expansion tank.
I also changed the belts, upgraded to hydraulic tensioner, new a/c tensioner, all new pulleys.
Finally I changed the OFHG, VANOS, and the two oil sensors on the housing. If you’d like to see any more pics let me know and I’ll take some and share. Cheers!

 

[bigwinn]

Interested in the performance water pump- what’s it got a higher flow output?

 

[CarbonAdam13]

Interested in the performance water pump- what’s it got a higher flow output?

Yes I think somewhere around 20% flow increase. It also has an improved stainless steel impeller, upgraded bearing and seals, and is more efficient. Haven’t tested the flow increase or efficiency myself but at the end of the day it’s better than the old stock one.

 

[bigwinn]

Yes I think somewhere around 20% flow increase. It also has an improved stainless steel impeller, upgraded bearing and seals, and is more efficient. Haven’t tested the flow increase or efficiency myself but at the end of the day it’s better than the old stock one.

Good to know. Hope it doesn’t put strain on any other cooling components

 

[Tncdrew]

Great upgrades!
I've been eye-balling that perf. water pump myself.
I've pretty much made an identical list of parts to replace however, my '05 3.0i has only 21K miles on it, so I'll defer it for a little while.
Can I ask, how was it changing that pump? Any clearance issues being so close to the radiator support?
Thank you!

BTW... I installed one of the CSF radiators into my '09 MX-5. Great quality!

 

[CarbonAdam13]

Great upgrades!
I've been eye-balling that perf. water pump myself.
I've pretty much made an identical list of parts to replace however, my '05 3.0i has only 21K miles on it, so I'll defer it for a little while.
Can I ask, how was it changing that pump? Any clearance issues being so close to the radiator support?
Thank you!

BTW... I installed one of the CSF radiators into my '09 MX-5. Great quality!

That’s awesome! I noticed immediately how much longer it takes the car to get up to temp due to the larger capacity radiator.
Changing the pump required removing the bolt on the top engine mount (driver side) and jacking the engine about an inch or two above the mount bolt. It angles the engine slightly up and back at an angle which is enough to pull the pump out. Otherwise you run into clearance issues with the crossmember right there or whatever that structural bracket is called.

 

[Tncdrew]

That’s awesome! I noticed immediately how much longer it takes the car to get up to temp due to the larger capacity radiator.
Changing the pump required removing the bolt on the top engine mount (driver side) and jacking the engine about an inch or two above the mount bolt. It angles the engine slightly up and back at an angle which is enough to pull the pump out. Otherwise you run into clearance issues with the crossmember right there or whatever that structural bracket is called.

So, in other words, if you were sitting in the car looking forward, the front of the engine will be moving up and tilting to the right?

 

[CarbonAdam13]

So, in other words, if you were sitting in the car looking forward, the front of the engine will be moving up and tilting to the right?

Yes exactly