looking into buying the 25x12x3 overall / 18x12x3 core intercooler that many people here use. Does it fit under the stock hood latch or are most of you using hoodpins ?

and yes ive searched, for an hour infact

 

It fits, with a little bit of clearance. I made two aluminum brackets that mount to the tapped bungs on top of the intercooler, that go to the two holes for the hood latch.

 

that's a VERY large core, fwiw.

 

You may have trouble getting enough air through the radiator.

 

I'm running an OEM evo 8 IC
core size is 19" x 11.5" x 2.75"
Overall dimensions are:
24.5"x11.5"x2.75

With proper ducting I get enough airflow to cool a track car with an ebay radiator on a 90 degree ambient day

 

Wait, I was mistaken when looking at those dimensions. I have the 18x12x3 overall. I have no comment on the 18x12x3 core.

 

you don't need such a giant core
when you say many people, do you mean with other cars?

 

Thats way too big of an intercooler. It will fit in the car with ease. My intercooler is
Core Size: 19"x6"x3"
Overall Size: 26"x10"x3"

And it fits like this, do note that really you only show about the 6" of core in the height direction in the stock mouth, so taller than that doesnt gain you anything unless you mount it further back from the opening and duct it.

 

Core Size: 22"x7"x2"
Overall Size: 28"x7"x2.5"

Thats what I just ordered, should be fine for 200-220whp

 

that should be fine even for 300