I prefer push on race grade rubber hoses on AN fittings as weigh less and do not wear on other parts. I slip heat shield over them and add 1/4 high density foam anyplace they might rub.
I did have one fail at one time but was pretty sure I had used a different hose/fitting combo that was not compatible so I always clamp them now, it was not fun going off backwards on fire at over 100 miles an hour....but it was exciting and I was back out the next session.
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I would agree the radiator should be done first, why I bought the closest fitting one, early Celica GT, Mishimoto and did a custom install which ended up being a rather big project.
I have an oil cooler as well, Setrab, offset to the passenger side, behind it opened up, only 60% if the air hits the other coolers, the rest right into the engine bay by the alternator so I have a cooling hose pointing at it as well.
HUGE importance to maximize cooling duct work to keep air from going around, over or under the coolers, mine are fully sealed.
And, I opened up the core support to allow air out the back much better as well as lowered the IC as much as I could to have better flow and block less of the radiator.
A great deal of time spent on this area but I have made back to back 118 degree tuning runs with a big turbo and temps were perfect.