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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: 54321chris on December 01, 2009, 07:46:44 am

Title: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: 54321chris on December 01, 2009, 07:46:44 am
Anyone have an opinion on putting one of these on my Corrado1.6TD?  A friend of mine has one and a cowl.  The cowl might look a little dorky, but I could live with it.  Or I could go with a big front mount, but I thought the top mount might give better response time.  Time to chime in.   :P
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: 54321chris on December 01, 2009, 07:00:09 pm
Nobody?  :(
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: truckinwagen on December 01, 2009, 07:39:12 pm
the top mount could be done with shorter piping which would reduce volume induced lag, and with a properly done hood scoop( I would vote for a induction style cowl, as these cars already have a high pressure zone along the bottom of the windshield) it could be very efficient, not going to say more efficient than a front mount, but efficient none the less.

the problem with a top mount is that it makes engine work a pain in the butt at best.

I would stick with a front mount, if the piping is done carefully, the volume induced lag will be manageable.
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: OM617 on December 01, 2009, 10:54:34 pm
The big issue with top mount is that heat rises. At idle you'll be turning your intercooler into an intake heater. A small fan would probably cover that issue though.
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: anto on December 02, 2009, 02:45:04 am
The peugeot 306 comes with a top mount intercooler as standard.
Most 306 owners looking for more power will upgrade to a FMIC so id imagine it would better just going with a fmic unless you were gettign the scooby cooler for peanuts?
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: 54321chris on December 02, 2009, 05:19:43 am
I could have the top mount for free, but I also already have a pretty decent front mount that I could use.  Are folks having to relocate their batteries to run piping for an intercooler?  The inlet and outlet on my intercooler are on opposite sides.
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: NintendoKD on December 02, 2009, 05:45:43 am
I already relocated my battery, I want to do a top mount intercooler with scoop, I'll end up modifying the hood to slope downwards under the scoop "lotus elise style" it will be a very unique project.  But for you my friend, I would suggest the front mount, don't limit yourself to a left to right idea though, try thinking top to bottom compressed intake goes to the bottom of the intercooler and comes out of the top, right into the intake. 8)
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on December 02, 2009, 08:09:17 am
you kinda gotta go side to side with a big intercooler and a radiator.
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: 54321chris on December 02, 2009, 08:46:22 am
Yeah I don't really see mounting this IC top-to-bottom.  Posts some pictures of that top-mount when you get it together!
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: vwjones on December 02, 2009, 10:55:46 am
top mounted mine on my caddy with a scoop.  a lot of peeps laughed at it here,  but it's purpose built and keeps my EGT's very very cool. engine work is not too bad either.  i basically relocated the battery behind the seat and put the intercooler there.   and after all, the point was low EGT.  not to impress armchair builders  :-*
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2994817980105492179tEGRtf (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2994817980105492179tEGRtf)
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: truckinwagen on December 02, 2009, 11:00:21 am
that is a fairly small intercooler, the reference to the WRX intercooler made me think of a much larger intercooler that would have to span the bay over top the motor to fit(as they do on the WRX)
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: 54321chris on December 02, 2009, 12:23:43 pm
Thanks for all the comments.  Now time to look into battery relocation...
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: vwjones on December 02, 2009, 02:14:14 pm
Thanks for all the comments.  Now time to look into battery relocation...

i put mine behind the seat but ended up having to ground the battery to the engine to get the juice  where it needed to be. don't forget the thick rubber hose where the pos. cable goes thru the floor.  guess you might have to go for the trunk mount with a corrado though.  pics will be required
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: 54321chris on December 02, 2009, 02:38:29 pm
Maybe I'll start a new thread, Project Half-Done, just for my car  ;D .  I don't have any back seats, so "trunk" is a relative term.  I am still working through some wiring problems; the PO had wires dangling EVERYWHERE.
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: vwjones on December 02, 2009, 05:30:43 pm
Maybe I'll start a new thread, Project Half-Done, just for my car  ;D .  I don't have any back seats, so "trunk" is a relative term.  I am still working through some wiring problems; the PO had wires dangling EVERYWHERE.

hmmmm. for a second there, I thought that i might have been the previous owner ;D
Title: Re: WRX top mount intercooler?
Post by: JunkcollectorJ on December 03, 2009, 12:35:26 pm
top mounted mine on my caddy with a scoop.  a lot of peeps laughed at it here,  but it's purpose built and keeps my EGT's very very cool. engine work is not too bad either.  i basically relocated the battery behind the seat and put the intercooler there.   and after all, the point was low EGT.  not to impress armchair builders  :-*
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2994817980105492179tEGRtf (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2994817980105492179tEGRtf)

nice work on that install, looks good.  What intercooler is that?  I'm considering ditching my fmic in favor of a top mount because I'm running hillclimbs where I see high boost for a long time, and the intercooler in front of the radiator is heat soaking both, making some warm water temps.