Alternate Intercoolers

[Bestwestranger]

Has anyone tried using a frontmounted intercooler other than the usual aftermarket or Starion setup? I'm planning on adding one before summer rolls around again, and thought I might be able to save some $ and hit up the junkyard for something cheap and effective.

 

[TJGoSurf]

http://home.earthlink.net/~turbogus2/intercoolers.html

Go with a supra smic from the mkiv they're awesome

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

I have one that I got in a trade for my Conquest. Just a tad bigger than the original Conquest intercooler. I think it's from a Saab or some other Euopean car. I'll be trying to plumb that in at some point. After removing half the guts of the front end it looks like it should fit no problem. Custom intercooler piping shouldn't be too diffcult.

 

[blackGSX2g]

The cost of cores on eBay have dropped to around $100 brand new. Why not go with one of those instead of an old junkyard core with bent fins or pinhole leaks?

 

[Bestwestranger]

The cost of cores on eBay have dropped to around $100 brand new. Why not go with one of those instead of an old junkyard core with bent fins or pinhole leaks?

I'm just exploring my options. I haven't made up my mind on anything yet.

 

[blackGSX2g]

If you just want to explore a different route, you could try an SRT-4 or EVO XIII front mount. I just saw one for sale in the classifieds already set up for DSM use.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=33416&sort=1&cat=all&page=1

 

[drivemusicnow]

Mitsubishi Fuso trucks...

Seriously, find a one at a junkyard and, depending on year etc, you'll probably have a decent shape 18B turbo, as well as a fairly high quality frontmount.

 

[grizzly]

try to stay away from ebay intercoolers. i called up extremeintercoolers to buy a piping kit and i asked about the ebay fmic and they told me that the fmic are welded really cheaply and the fmic may have a few pin holes in them. and to seal it up who ever makes the fmic just uses an epoxy spray on coat that seals it. so after the epoxy is gone say hello to boost leak.
extremeintercoolers has actually tested one to see.

 

[2gGSX]

www.johnnyracecar.com

Then consult jcwhitney for some mandrel u-bends, buy some radiator tubing as couplers and ebay a set of t-bolt clamps. The entire thing should be no more than 350-400 I'd think if you went with his 8" core with non-budget endtanks.

 

[Stoner]

I run the Johnny Race Car 8" core on my EVO 16g car. I run 28psi with no problems and I have had the core for over a year. No boost leaks, no cracks or anything like that yet. It is definately a cheap alternative but I do want to switch to a nice bar and plate design to see what I pick up someday. I havent found the limit of it yet so we will see.

 

[blackGSX2g]

try to stay away from ebay intercoolers. i called up extremeintercoolers to buy a piping kit and i asked about the ebay fmic and they told me that the fmic are welded really cheaply and the fmic may have a few pin holes in them. and to seal it up who ever makes the fmic just uses an epoxy spray on coat that seals it. so after the epoxy is gone say hello to boost leak.
extremeintercoolers has actually tested one to see.

I run an eBay core and its holding up fine. Welds look perfect, and it works great at 24 psi. Intake pipes are actually cool to the touch after several heavy boost runs. I boost leak tested it before I put it on and there was nothing new and there is nothing now.

 

[NickatBuschurs]

Has anyone tried using a frontmounted intercooler other than the usual aftermarket or Starion setup? I'm planning on adding one before summer rolls around again, and thought I might be able to save some $ and hit up the junkyard for something cheap and effective.

Here maybe this will give you an idea. Hope this helps you.

http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173450&highlight=evo+fmic+1g

Nick
Buschur Racing Inc.

 

[larsrya8]

www.johnnyracecar.com

Then consult jcwhitney for some mandrel u-bends, buy some radiator tubing as couplers and ebay a set of t-bolt clamps. The entire thing should be no more than 350-400 I'd think if you went with his 8" core with non-budget endtanks.

Would that get you to the stock lower intercooler location (so it would hook up to an aftermarket UICP)?

I'm curious because I'm about to start my project, but I still have the stock IC piping. What exactly would I need to go from the 16G compressor outlet to the JRC 8 inch IC to the throttlebody? Vendors, part numbers and quantities are appreciated.

P.S. Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread.

 

[Stoner]

Their is about a 20 page thread on this intercooler with all the info you could ever want on it. Just search under Johnny Race Car and you will find it.

 

[drivemusicnow]

Yes the Johnnyracecar one is farily cheap as far as the aftermarket ones go.

The "back door" one puts the pipes on either side of the rad. The other one has the pipes stick out of the side, like an SRT-4 would.

The Mitsu Fuso truck intercooler is actually a pretty good option. I don't know of anybody on these forums that has one, however my buddy has one and its a decent size core, cast endtanks, and I guarantee you it would be cheap. Something you should really consider.

The EVO8 is another good choice, however I'm going to guess their slightly more expensive.

 

[Bestwestranger]

There is a Fuso shop right down the sreet from mine, so I might have to go chit chat with them. Any specific year/model that I should inquire about?

btw; thanks for all the good info guys!