Intercooler choices

[vrinner]

On my 86 race car I am running into the problem of heat saturation in the intercooler (stock). I am looking to get a front mount intercooler but am not sure of what to get.

Anyone out there fabricate their own and if so, any tips on where I can get parts? I know that spearco (sp?) makes one but I have heard that there might be some other stuff that might be better such as Inter-Rad (sp?) or intercoolers from other cars (volvo)?

Because this is strickly a race car, I am more interested in performance than looks.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[svobud]

This is one of my winter projects. I've gotten the IC - took the measurements - now I just need some free time. I'm using the smaller NPR intercooler - but with the min number of mods I've done to the motor... I figured it was all I would need.

So - for installation purposes. You'll need a NPR (they're usually around $200 on eBay). A smaller (width) radiator. The radiator will have to fit in between 24" opening of the IC inlet/outlets. Seems a Ford Ranger P/U radiator application should fit nicely. Then have some tubing fabricated, buy some silicone couplings, weld on brackets to the IC to it can be attached to the rad support .....and install.

[vrinner]

I'm stupid...whats an NPR intercooler?

[svobud]

it's from a turbo diesel Isuzu NPR box truck. Like the ones used by Budget Rent-a-truck. There's 2 sizes of IC. ... I'm choosing to use the smaller one. Pic is below. As another option - you could think about a Conquest/Starion IC. Bit cheaper, about the same amount of fab-work involved to install still.

[vrinner]

Any thoughts on the Ford Powerstroke Intercooler?

There are a few on Ebay...

This unit is from a Ford Powerstroke Truck. The core measures 30" X 18" X 2" The ports on both sides are 3 inches, total width of the unit is 38-1/2 inches including the ports. The assembly is a new OEM unit that has never been used or installed. As you can see from the pictures not a single fin is bent, these units are as mint as they come. The rubber mounting grommets, and Air Stripping as shown in the pictures are included.


I'm really leaning towards the NPR but then I saw these new ford units.

[SVO P51]

If you check the Turbo Ford site, there are several post on the Powerstroke Intercoolers, but I believe that I 've read that you have to do some cutting because of the width.

I would like to know which Front mount IC works best, while being able to keep my Air Conditioner? I really like the look of the Big NPR, especially with the intake rotated 90deg, but I haven't read where anyone has used one and kept their AC.
Is Spearco my best option, not considering price?

Thanks!
Boyd

[NO 5 OH]

Originally posted by SVO P51
If you check the Turbo Ford site, there are several post on the Powerstroke Intercoolers, but I believe that I 've read that you have to do some cutting because of the width.

I would like to know which Front mount IC works best, while being able to keep my Air Conditioner? I really like the look of the Big NPR, especially with the intake rotated 90deg, but I haven't read where anyone has used one and kept their AC.
Is Spearco my best option, not considering price?

I actually ran into the same problem myself, as I really wanted to run a big NPR intercooler but I wanted to keep the A/C in the car as it actually still does work. The solution I came up with was to run a Grand National intercooler with shroud so it would pull cold air up from underneath the radiator/condensor. I'm going to modify mine with the Duttweiler neck, to make the inlet/outlet both 2 1/2". You can run this IC between the radiator and the front of the v-belt pullies... but you definitely can't run a stock fan with it. I can't really comment further on the installation as my car is currently down for awhile due to replacement of the 7.5, and "modifying" a few other things while I'm at it

When I get the IC in and piping run I'll post pics and let everybody have a look at how it's done... as well as it's preformance.

[svobud]

Vince - One of the Directors, Lee Clary, has the powerstroke intercooler on his "evolution' SVO. This is best pic we have of his set up on the website - http://www.svoca.com/memprofiles/lee-clary/leerad.jpg Lee did cut/turn his intake 90deg

Maybe Paul has some better pics of it - but it'll be a couple of days before Paul's able to get back online.

Boyd - except for having something 'custom built' for your SVO, the Spearco (now owned by turbonetics) is the only prefabricated kit on the market for the SVO ( that I know of ) ... and the only one I seen where the A/C is kept in place. Problem (besides the price) is now that turbonetics have taken over production of the kit ... quality seems to be seriously lacking .. along with fitment issues. There's a thread about the Spearco kit here in the forum.

I do know Paul (SVPU) mentioned he is working with someone in designing a new kit for the SVO market. So - if you can wait, that might be something to consider

[vrinner]

One of the Directors, Lee Clary, has the powerstroke intercooler on his "evolution' SVO.

Thats looks totally bad! If there are any other pictures of that SVO I sure would like to see them.

It looks like the radiator is mounted on the diag. with the two fans. Looks really trick. I guess if I want something trick like that, I will have to do a bunch of fabrication.

[svobud]

Originally posted by vrinner
Thats looks totally bad! If there are any other pictures of that SVO I sure would like to see them.

Well - I'm pretty sure there are quite a few floating around out there, but I just don't have them. Lee's car was featured in the 2.3liter Shootout issue that Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords did earlier this year (Oct issue). Paul will probably be able to help you out with some more pics of the car ... and yes, it's one tricked SVO. Lee is definitely one of the masters of quality fabrication workmanship.

[lonchair]

Originally posted by svobud
....There's a thread about the Spearco kit here in the forum....

My Spearco comments are here:

http://www.svoca.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68

Bud,
With your NPR, are you gonna rotate your intake or run the AC?

[SVOeric]

I think Bud already yanked his 31 pounds of AC out of his 9L
(i believe that was how much it weighed

[svobud]

Originally posted by lonchair

Bud,
With your NPR, are you gonna rotate your intake or run the AC?

I'm still deciding on the rotating - but the A/C has been removed. It never worked when I got the car and I've never missed it. The IC will sit where the condenser use to be ...

[AT6svo]

An NPR is ideal but I live in So Cal and my ride still has to meet emissions standards. To run an NPR or Powerstroke, ideally you'll need to rotate the intake (it can be done w/o, just adds alot of extra IC piping). Which means I'd also have to rotate the EGR etc etc. Thats too much imho. If it were a track car, it would be a totally different story, and a large NPR w rotated intake would be my choice.

On my 84 I am using an Audi 5000 IC that I modified the end tank. Its certainly not one of the larger units out there but it is a dual pass unit and the ports are nice and large. It is mounted up in the front air dam, located right behind the four slots in the lower part of the damn. I am using a Thunderbird Super-coupe radiatior with a Taurus fan/shrouds assy. The IC piping are all pieces I got from Volvos/Saabs from wrecking yards. Best of all I did it all using holes pre-existing from the factory.

hth,
-mike

[gbeaird]

Mike,

Cool! Writeup, pictures, video!! I would like to see it. Thanks.

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO, G Stock
Pearland, Texas