DIY: Over the radiator intercooler install
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From: Atlanta, GA
Well I have a supercharger but you get the idea. I spent the weekend on this and I must say, the IAT readings have gone from 160-190 to 90-111! Here's the original thread:
DIY: Over the radiator supercharger intercooler install - MX5 Miata Atlanta Owners Club
For many supercharger owners who want more boost we're left with two main intercooler options: a turbo one, or the 30 thousand dollar Track Dog Racing one.
This is the third option, full on DIY. I bought the IC core from Tommy on here for $100 but also found something similar on ebay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AMEWAX%3AVRI

And I then went and bought this piping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=370226563594

And accompanied it all with some bolts and brackets from Lowe's.
So in total I've spent about $220 for absolutely everything, that's including brackets, bolts and other **** I've needed.
So first step is to remove that plastic thing in the mouth of the car. That's pretty self-explanatory as to where all the bolts are. The next step is to mount the IC.
... more to come
Remove this from the hood mounting thing:

Drill holes in the brackets after you've done some lining up and trying to figure out where to drill. This is all diy, depends on what brackets you have. It's where I wish I had a vice.

Here's how I had it held in place, made things a **** ton easier.

Pic of one of the brackets

Pipe being lined up

How the pipes are laid out

Rough cuts in the hood made to accommodate the new piping.

Hot side pipe cuts

Picture of the cold side cuts, was a bit of a bitch to do.

Hood closes great, just make sure the hood assembly thing is back in the original position. I had mine in the wrong place after I used one of the bolts to hold on the cold side mounting bracket.

Check out that sick JDM tilt installed intercooler! Job Done!
DIY: Over the radiator supercharger intercooler install - MX5 Miata Atlanta Owners Club
For many supercharger owners who want more boost we're left with two main intercooler options: a turbo one, or the 30 thousand dollar Track Dog Racing one.
This is the third option, full on DIY. I bought the IC core from Tommy on here for $100 but also found something similar on ebay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AMEWAX%3AVRI

And I then went and bought this piping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=370226563594

And accompanied it all with some bolts and brackets from Lowe's.
So in total I've spent about $220 for absolutely everything, that's including brackets, bolts and other **** I've needed.
So first step is to remove that plastic thing in the mouth of the car. That's pretty self-explanatory as to where all the bolts are. The next step is to mount the IC.
... more to come
Remove this from the hood mounting thing:

Drill holes in the brackets after you've done some lining up and trying to figure out where to drill. This is all diy, depends on what brackets you have. It's where I wish I had a vice.

Here's how I had it held in place, made things a **** ton easier.

Pic of one of the brackets

Pipe being lined up

How the pipes are laid out

Rough cuts in the hood made to accommodate the new piping.

Hot side pipe cuts

Picture of the cold side cuts, was a bit of a bitch to do.

Hood closes great, just make sure the hood assembly thing is back in the original position. I had mine in the wrong place after I used one of the bolts to hold on the cold side mounting bracket.

Check out that sick JDM tilt installed intercooler! Job Done!
Last edited by jdmaddox88; Jul 21, 2009 at 04:39 AM.
This is awesome! I made some rough cuts in the radiator cross bracing to get my piping to fit over the radiator. I didn´t realize the hood could be modified like that to get the piping to fit. I´ll try this once I get home. I want to fit a 55mm radiator, therefore I don´t think tilting the radiator is a viable option...over the top is the best bet to go just like you did it seems.
He's just keeping the intercooler raised.
Sometime when I'm not lazy I'll post a picture or two of my setup and hood cut reliefs, this would be a good thread to show people who have been interested in my over-the-rad setup. There's been at least 3 in the past month who have PM'ed me.
Sometime when I'm not lazy I'll post a picture or two of my setup and hood cut reliefs, this would be a good thread to show people who have been interested in my over-the-rad setup. There's been at least 3 in the past month who have PM'ed me.








