I just don't remember people having to recess the radiator. Maybe they used thinner core radiator? I wanted to try one but I went with the jaguar clutch instead.
I did not see any photos of how other guys fit the setup. I took the measurements and could see it was a no go with the radiator mounted in the stock location on my car. I hated cutting into the radiator support but when the job was complete it turned out fine. I put edge guard on the sheet metal and I was able to keep the factory hood latch. The trans cooler would no longer fit behind the grill so I mounted it in the RH fender behind the headlight and equipped it with a thermostatically controlled fan.
