what size intercooler should i get?

[pinky121388]

ok im about to go KA-T and i need to know what size intercooler to get that still allows me to put my OEM front bumper on. i understand that some minor trimming may go forth. but i dont want to have drive with no bumber.

let me know what size i can get, so i dont buy the wrong one

[GTR PrYdE]

Depends on what turbo?

A T2 series and you can go with a 20x6x3 fmic, like http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...00461

or T3 and up, go with the usual 24x12x3 fmic like http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...88932

hope this helps you. Me, I was going to go with the 24x12x3 no matter what lol. Good for future upgrades

[eazye2000]

Yep. The bigger, the better. Just some mild trimming, and you can fit a nice sized 3" core behind there.I have a 28" x 12" x 3" I think...

Some pics for reference:



And with the bumper on:

[Jookmasta]

got rid of the front bumper support eh?

[Tx-Sx-FS]

i tossed my bumper support, if i get hit in the front its not gonna stop from hittin intercooler and possibly motor too.

[ShionS14]

you do know the bumper support is there to absorb impact and crumple to reduce impact on the driver right?

[pinky121388]

ok i got a T3 turbo with a top mount manifold. and i do want to have the bumper support. so im thinking maybe 28x6x3? does that sound about right for a s13

[C-Kwik]

Given that the space is limited, I'd get the biggest that would fit and that you can afford. Do consider quality as well. The intercooler is not only a heat exchanger, it also acts as a heat sink allowing you to absorb some of the more extended boost periods and shedding the heat at a faster overall rate than a smaller version of the same intercooler. I wouldn't worry too much about the extra volume a larger intercooler will provide. Given the limited space available for a front mount and that an intercooler's internal volume would only be at about 50% of the overall volume (at most), any increases in volume would be pretty negligible.

[mchkc240]

you do know the bumper support is there to absorb impact and crumple to reduce impact on the driver right?

My bumper support saved my a$$ so you guys shouldnt run away without it..

[lrb_2000]

I would never leave out my bumper support. there's ways to make an i/c fit.. mine is good for over 500hp and fit fine.

[Jookmasta]

definitely for any noob reading this thread, try your best to keep your bumper support. even if you have to hack into it to make your i/c fit, try to still have some of it there. you SHOULD NOT think that the bumper support doesn't do much. it's heavy as hell and cars come with it for a reason. every little bit counts and without the bumper support, a minor fender bender could result in alot more damage without the bumper support.

[WDRacing]

I have some experience with crash investigation as well as structural design and integrity. The 240 and all cars for that matter are designed and built with all parts staying attached in mind when they do crash testing. The way the car will "fold" and "crumple" is thrown totally off kilter by removing a key piece in what I would consider a high stress point upon most impacts. It ties the car together as a whole, so side and rear impacts will be greatly effected as well.

You can fit a metric ton of intercooler up front without removing the bumper so don't.

WD

[Neejay]

I will not remove my bumper support. If I have to stay sub-300whp to do so, I will.

Life > Car

I'll also be getting a FMIC with dimensions close to the T2 one recommended up top.

[480sx]

Its really not hard at all to keep the front support while installing an IC.

Check this writeup of how i did mine with a big FMIC.zerothread?id=283369