Thread: TD5 Intercoolers

Noddy I was actually wondering whether you could mod some of the good quality intercoolers for sale on EBAY - have seen some very good quality units with the same core size but with the inlet and outlet either high or low. These sell for $199 on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GT-SPEC-DETLA-FIN-B...1QQcmdZViewItem

dhumphri -- thanks. It is worth considering. :? There is a huge difference between the price of these and those for the TD5.

I have heard of some people using ones from WRXs etc.

I cannot understand why they are so expensive.

for the few extra pipes required ide try the ebay ones first.
just make sure its a bar and plate type.

there are so many rice burner coolers on ebay, when i go to
do mine im shopping there. any one that can weld alloy could
mod the tanks to suit.


phil

I've never been impressed with the UK ones I've seen in the mags or on the 'net, to my mind the tanks look atrocious for flow.

Go here http://www.are.com.au and have a read on how this company designs their intercoolers and the pro's and con's between the different types of cores.

That is a very large intercooler,meant to be mounted in front of the radiator, may be more trouble than you want to go to. Glen at Brothers Offroad has just completed installing 600x300x75 in my Rangy. It was more difficult than we first thought. However I'm very pleased with the result. When his site goes back up there may be some pics on it.

I had a custom ARE fmic in my Skyline, very good product....but a hell of a lot more than $199

Originally posted by 51jay
That is a very large intercooler,meant to be mounted in front of the radiator, may be more trouble than you want to go to. Glen at Brothers Offroad has just completed installing 600x300x75 in my Rangy. It was more difficult than we first thought. However I'm very pleased with the result. When his site goes back up there may be some pics on it.

Arn't all the TD5 intercoolers mounted in fron t of the radiator? Mine seems huge to me.

Ok...

Intercoolers arent intercoolers! Just like Oils aint Oils!

Theres Bar and Plate, Tube and Fin etc.... And different profiles internally for the air charge.

Then theres flow characteristics both internally and for the cooling airflow.

These differ greatly from cooler to cooler.

Then theres tank size and design, get this wrong and you'll get increased lag, turbulence and flow issues... Bigger isnt alway the better here.

TD5s mount using intricate tabs, pegs etc... to curve around the existing radiator and condensor. Its not as easy as you may think and fabrication takes the longest time.

There is no such thing as a good EBAY intercooler, they just dont happen!

Now, having said that there are 2 core manufacturers in Oz, eg.. that extrude the cores. Adrad in Adelaide is one. They make a finned core that increases surface contact for the inlet charge and improves cooling effiency.

I use these cores....

They cost me (in bulk) around $700.00 per core

I then laser cut each component for the tanks, roll the tubes for inlet and outlet and then we play "tig the jigsaw" :wink:

We then weld and drill the mounting tabs for each cooler, flush and pressure test them and then polish them up ready for sale.

When all is said on done, you get a professionally made, bolt in, intercooler that performs correctly for the vehicle. Is efficient (over 60% better) and fits where it should.

So just how good do you think a $300 ebay special is, complete if the cores are so expensive? We're talking cores designed for our conditions made here, not tiny thin stuff that cracks or fatigues in an offroad vehicle.

Do you really want to butcher your vehicle to fit a cheapo? Or do you want the right stuff? I know some are pricey compared to others but I can tell you now. Mine work... Never had a complaint, return or issue....

And to be personally mentioned in SLunnies 4wdmonthly article must say I'm doing something right

Cheers
Mike