Front Mount Intercooler

[BrianM]

Been researching around a little bit about front mount intercoolers and not exactly finding answers. My car just has a couple of small mods (By-pass valve, t-coupe intercooler so I didn't have to drill the stock one, and a Forced 4 cold air kit K&N filter, 255lph fuel pump) I also have a Joe-P manual boost controller sitting in my cabinet waiting to install but haven't done it yet. My goal for this car is to keep it as stock as possible and easily put back to completely stock. I don't want to cut metal or do anything else permanent. It is a 79k mile original car and currently runs like a champ. My goal is just to add a little more of the easy power for a little more fun. My intention was to install the MBC and turn the boost up a couple of lbs and maybe do a 3" down pipe. After reading now I am thinking maybe a front mount intercooler as well BUT...

Is it possible to do a front mount while keeping the AC (mine works and blows ice cold and I wouldn't own the car without it) and not cutting into the core support? If so what one? Also not looking to spend thousands of dollars on a setup either. Ideas? I know for turbos cooler is better but can I safely get a couple of more lbs of boost without going front mount?

[brsvo]

Many people have gone over stock boost with the mods you have. The one thing you might consider is an adjustable fuel presssure regulator but that depends on how far over stock you are going.

[SchoolBoy]

I have been working on the same thing..... My basic idea is to use a Ron Davis 26x19x3 radiator part # 1S-26193F. This will free up a few inch's between the end of the rad and the core support. Next I have found 2 intercooler cores that will fit up front if you take the A/C condenser out of its mounting brackets and move it back about 1 inch towards the radiator. The cores are 1.) Cxracing part #IC0014, 2.) Treadstone Performance TR62. Then its up to you to make your own pipe.

[baltimucho]

Do you have HP goals or BOOST goals? FMIC is a lot of work, and usually reserved for big boost applications. I have the stock TC intercooler and 260WHP, but I have mods that keep the boost under 18PSI.

[Raven855]

I swapped out the core of the stock intercooler with a Spearco unit. No plumbing issues. I intend to mount a 9" fan on the bottom for some additional air flow.

[brsvo]

Marty Booth over on Turbo Ford runs a NHRA stock class with stock head/intake/TB/turbo and no intercooler with stock lift cam. He ran a 12.05 at 108 with this setup. Of course he's running race gas no doubt!! But you can plumb an intercooler around the air if you try! I have seen the Volvo intercooler behind the radiator before. If your not going for a lot of HP just turn up the FP and run it stock.

[Raven855]

I would be wary of the Volvo intercooler. It is restrictive and has been known to rupture the plastic end tanks at boost pressures over eighteen lbs

[BrianM]

I haven't gone any further with this. I keep an eye out for one of the older SVO specific Spearco front mounts but so far no luck.

I have the cold air intake/bypass valve and did a 3" downpipe into dual 2.5" tails. Just with those mods the power increase is very noticeable. I have yet to install my manual boost controller even. Car runs great right now on 93 premium and stock boost so I hesitate to tinker with anything else.

[Raven855]

I keep an eye out for one of the older SVO specific Spearco front mounts but so far no luck.
I didn't get a Spearco front mount, I got a core for the stock SVO intercooler. The Core is bolted in on the Stock intercooler and the end tanks are welded onto the TC intercooler. It is an easy upgrade.

[green57]

BrianM,

I ran across this, I don't know much about it, or what your price range is, but it appears to be a nice set up. SVO specific and says you can keep your a/c. Check here: http://www.gnariperformance.com/product/front-mount-intercooler-kit2

G57