...so I bought the Td5Alive intercooler for D2 manual as I couldn't resist the fact that it was about twice the size of the auto version for about the same price. Then I started to worry about two things based on what I subsequently read: will it fit given that Oz models have an oil cooler in the way; and will a huge intercooler result in more turbo lag.

Both fears were unfounded:

. it does fit, but you will have to remove radiator to fit it and set up a bracket to move oil cooler about 15mil lower (but you won't need longer hoses for cooler)

. if anything, the response down low is actually better, so not sure how that works.

While you're at it, clean out your inlet manifold - mine was very gunked up. I've blocked off EGR to stop it gunking up again and have a provent filter to stop oil vapour getting into my flash new intercooler...

Other mods are ECU remap, muffler removed, better air delivery to airbox, silicon air hoses, adjusted wastegate and running coolant conditioner and water wetter but no ethylene glycol (have done a lot of research on this, and this combo works well for me and achieves better cooling than ethylene glycol/OAT mixes, without the other problems they introduce...and regular changes seem to be one of the most important factors for any mix, regardless of what longlife OAT advocates claim). Also removed engine cover and run the lightest weight oils in motor and drivetrain that meets required standard - every little bit helps! Just need to fit electronic boost box tomorrow and then avoid shredding the rubber donut or some other drivetrain component