So I'm getting together stuff for a turbo build on the Maxima right. Well a buddy of mine works at a body shop near me and called me up one day. Said he had a 03 Dodge Turbo Desiel wrecked cam in. One of the things he raplaced was, guess what ?, The intercooler. He said it's in need of REALLY minor repair. One of the mounts broke off a a few fins bent,nothing serious. It's mine FREE...All I gotta do is send him 20 bucks for shipping to me and I'm done. Now my question is...clearance and how the F@#$ do I mount this thing ? I know it's gonna go out up front like ALL intercoolers. But anyone think it's gonna be more then I bargained for mounting it ? It's 46 inches at the bottom, about 40 at the top, and 17 inches tall with about 3 or 3 1/2in inlet/outlet. Its about 3 or 4 inches thick also. It's HUGE...I can't seem to find my tape measurer...but anyone got any ideas of how to mount this thing..or if it will even fit ?

 

I would say that you could make most any intercooler work if your willing to make custom piping, cut up the bumper, remove the bumper support, and lose your fogs. Not all of those things, but a couple of them might be needed to make something like that work. But I think that size is out of the relm of basic modifications to make it work.

The thickness is doable, I am puttin on a 3.5" thick intercooler and my mock up and measurements show enough room for 3.5"....but 4" is getting close to needing to do some cutting. The bottom width is where I think you will run into problems. 46" is very long. That will put the inlets at the very end of the bumper and getting piping on the end will be a challenge.

With this one in particular I think it would be more of a headache and may end up costing as much as just buying a standard 30x6x3 off ebay. I don't think there is any problem with finding a stock intercooler off a turbo truck, like an NPR and making it work but this one seems just to be way to big. Just my thoughts.

 

Thanks for the imput and any more advice is welcome....I'm a bit nutty to begin with. And with every challenge there is a learning experience and well. Lots of respect if you can make it work. I will remove whatever I need to make it fit(most of it I'm replacing anyway. But I guess the main reason I started this is to ask, does anyone sell a AM bumper I can buy to hide this big thing when I'm done ?

 

I did measurements a couple weeks ago before I bought mine, and 46' is honestly too long. Are the inlets on the sides? If they are the piping would either have to make a 180 degree turn right at the inlet or literally be outside of the bumper.

 

I'm looking for something a little ratical anyway...it's find a big mouth bumper for it to breathe to begin with seems to be the challenge.

I am going to do measurements though. Remember it's only 20 bucks...if anything it will make a great E-bay peice.

 

Id say let the ic go and get a smaller one. Its a great deal for a $20 intercooler but itll be less of a headache to figure out how to fit it. My pipings literaly wraps around the radiator which allows me to keep my fogs and I prefer the look. Also, the way my piping's setup, I dont even need hangers to hold it up.
Take a look ... Hope this helps

 

nice fit!

mike, when are we starting, i know that you got some parts for x-mas!

 

Way too big, both to fit and for how much air you are going to be flowing I would say. 46x17x3.5 is like 2x as big as you want assuming you are planning on something like 300-400whp.

 

The earliest I will be even thinking about the install will be March. I may do the clutch, battery relocation, and fuel pump before then though.

 

I'd say definately do the clutch before then. Nothing would **** me off more than doing them both at the same time, having just finished the turbo install, wanting to go out and see what she can do... and then having to wait 500-1000 miles for your clutch to get broken in

 

totally. are you planning on having ss lines or any sort of heat reflecting material on your rubber lines? (like fuel)

 

I agree. I just need to get Brian, Josh, or Jamie to give me a full day to help, in the cold no less.

 

Did not plan on it. I also have to buy a whole bunch of t-bolt clamps, 2.5" couplers, and some V-bands. Like $200 worth of that stuff


sorry for jacking this thread

 

i could help in my garage if you would like a garage thats a little warmer.

 

Still need someone who has done a clutch job before.

 

Try more along the lines of 550-650 or so . So it's not like its NOT needed cause it really is. I'm going with a REALLY crazy setup. I prefer to get as far away from stock as I can. As for reflection. I'm painting the whole thing black. If it isn't already black wich i think it is to be honest.No need for a clutch it's auto and I'm having it build by a local race shop as well as they can. It will for sure be different as hell. But hey that's what I'm looking for. Call me crazy,then again people called jessie james crazy when he started too ....

 

Did you have a glass of HATERade this morning ?

 

Don't take it like that....If I had a dollar for every time someone said they were going to build a 500hp+ Maxima I would have a 500hp+ I30. The guys who actually do this type of stuff usually don't say much until it is done. It is just a common theme around here.

 

 

I gotta get some of that

I know you all mean well,and I appriciate it...but you gotta dream big to get big. Belive me,I'mma try my damndest to get it done.

 

i just love these responses

 

I had playerade this morning...

 

Dem fightin words..lol

 

well what kind of motor work are you planning on doing to take 600hp because the stock vg is not going to hold it and how about your cv axels,motor mounts,and etc. $3000 for the auto rebuild to hold the power.. DONT flame me im just asking.

 

You are my hero!

On a more serious note, PLEASE get back to us in a couple months and let us know how it all worked out. I truly wish you the best of luck.

ps. that intercooler is too big.