What size intercooler is a good size to get that will fit behind the factory 5th gen bumper? (2k-2k1)

Details on an intercooler would be great (ie. size, core etc)

 

Go for a standard Ebay Spearco...cheap, easy to find, and perfect for the job. 20W x 6H x 3T core w/ 2.5" inlets would probably be the decent if you want to fit the factory opening and not have to cut the bumper support. If you're willing to cut, you can buy taller. Just remember that if you get the inlets centered on the tank there's only so much you can push above the bottom of the bumper support. You can also go a bit wider like Sadler's 24" x 8" x 3" but costs go up and there tends to be more pressure drop. He also doesn't have a bumper support at all which makes pipe routing much easier.

Cost runs about $350 for what we used in Shadow's car. His is 20" x 8" x 3" core and we had to cut a good bit out of the bumper support to fit it. It also extends below the factory bumper opening slightly and it is more than big enough for the turbo size. These are from 4th Gen's but the 5th Gen is almost identical under the bumpers.


20" x 8" x 3" w/ 3.5" end tanks. I rerouted the PS cooler behind the radiator support so it could sit flush. Also tucked a tranny cooler on the bottom right just behind the IC.

 

Hals said his is like 30 inch wide core? Intercooler should be at least 3 inches thick.

 

Whose that turbo 5th gen that has hal's turbo? i wonder whats the specs on his intercooler is since he has a stock from bumper.

 

That's Dixit, BigdogJinx. It is 30" wide I believe including the endtanks. But I don't think it's 3" thick, it's more like 2.5". I'd say go with something a little shorter than 30" because it's so wide that the pipes have some difficulty fitting.

 

I'd go taller, rather then longer like Dixits' because there is less pressure drop.

Also, read here: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=249681

I'd toss the bumper support and stick in as big an IC as you can afford.

 

If you really want the best size, go out there and measure the size of your grill. Then come up with a size from there and Hal's is 3 inches thick.

 

I would recommend either gutting the whole bumper support and fitting a larger (taller) intercooler in there. But, again, you can also just cut away on the bar. If you sit it close (I mean very close) to the front underframe what goes from the passenger side to the driver's side that the engine cross-member bolts to, you may be able to fit the intercooler in there with the bumper support on, but you still may need to cut the support.

I bought the Spearco from eBay. And, I paid an extra 15 bucks for 3" endtanks, where I used 3" for ALL the intercooler piping.

The core I got was 18.5x8x3, total length with entanks is around 27-28ish. Looks good IMO. I like Sadlers, don't get me wrong, but I want to be able to see endtanks where you KNOW it is an intercooler, and not some weirdo radiator type thing.

 

Sadler actually measured his bumper opening just to size the IC so you wouldn't see the endtanks. We ended up w/ just about 1" showing on each side. That and the piping runs below the side holes for the bumper. IIRC his was a PWR 24" x 8" x 3.5" core which runs $500 over at cheapturbos.com.


His complete lack of a bumper support made attaching it a lot easier. That and he has the largest front bumper ever made for a 4th Gen. This IC would easily poke out from the bottom of the factory bumper.

WRX Sti's run 2.25" IC piping and 3" is enough for 700+whp Supras so it is a bit overkill. Those $1k+ Apex'i GT intercoolers that are 12" tall x 24" x 3" only use 2.25" inlets.

As for cutting the bumper support...a decent reciprocating saw and some WD40 will take remove all the material you need in 10min. No sense in removing it completely.