If anyone has done this using one of those aftermarket stainless reservoirs, I'd love to see some pics...

You can get aftermarket polished coolant reservoirs to suit EF/EL models - PWR make them. They are costly though..

I have access to a BA one for a very low price; that's all...

I have a factory AU (similar mountings to BA) coolant bottle in my EL, they fit and clear the bonnet, the support on the bottom of the bottle fits into a panel on the side of the strut tower, but you will have to drill another hole on top of the strut tower for the rear tab on the bottle so you can bolt it down properly, this leave the front tab with nowhere to attach to, then you will need to shorten the small coolant hoses that go to the radiator and thermostat plus replace the main coolant hose that goes from the radiator to the bottom of the bottle. Then you have the issue of the battery tray looking ugly and out of place, plus if you have a coolant level sensor, you will need to extend those wires too.

It's a bit of d**k around, i'd save a few extra bucks and get one to suit an EL if you're going to maintain the battery tray.

 

 

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Thanks for that, fordman351. My situation is basically that a mate has offered me a near new stainless steel BA-style aftermarket unit for next to nothing. Therefore modifying whatever to make it fit will still be cheaper than even buying a new standard EF bottle!
I'm not running a coolant level sensor either so that's one less thing, I guess.

Thanks again mate

sorry for the hijack but does anyone know if the ea/ed ones are clear new not yellowish?
cheer's

as far as i know they are that s**t yellow factory