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has anyone tried to modify the stock intercooler?

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Old 08-25-04, 11:52 AM
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has anyone tried to modify the stock intercooler?

Heres what is was thinkng.Ive been looking at the pfs stock mount intercooler.After looking and looking I see that the core appears to be just as wide and as long as the stocker.The only difference is the height of the core and also the end tanks are on the sides.Not on top and bottom.
So theoretically couldnt you make your own pfs by using two cores from the oem intercooler and combining them? you would of course need to fab the end tanks and whatnot.How would it stack up as far as cooling the air? do you think it would actually wrok out well? Just a thought.My mind is always working.
Old 08-25-04, 12:01 PM
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When you add your time up to rig something like this it'll probably end up being the same as just buying a new one anyway.
Old 08-25-04, 12:03 PM
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Don't waste your time. You can get SMIC's that bolt right in for a few hundred bucks and NOT have duct tape holding it together..
Old 08-25-04, 12:06 PM
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I guess my theory was flawed.I figured it was worth a shot.Since you can pick up another core for next to nothing.The custom work wouldnt cost too much around here so that s why I was contemplating it.How hard would it be to do something like that? keep in mind that I have no clue as far as intercooler design and what not.I remember someone mentioning a similar idea.is it even possible to do?
Old 08-25-04, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by speeddemon7
I guess my theory was flawed.I figured it was worth a shot.Since you can pick up another core for next to nothing.The custom work wouldnt cost too much around here so that s why I was contemplating it.How hard would it be to do something like that? keep in mind that I have no clue as far as intercooler design and what not.I remember someone mentioning a similar idea.is it even possible to do?
If you feel like attempting it, I'll have a stock intercooler for sale soon.
-ben
Old 08-25-04, 12:56 PM
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Old 08-25-04, 12:59 PM
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It you want to attach the stock cores end to end how are you going to do that? Make some type of small tank in the middle between the two cores? I've STACKED stock intercoolers (from a Volvo) and made new end tanks so you end up with a double thickness intercooler and that works fine since the stock intercooler was thin. But a double thickness stock intercooler from an FD would be too thick.
Old 08-25-04, 12:59 PM
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Ok... I see what you want to do... didn't look at the pics... stack them on top of eachother. That would work.
Old 08-25-04, 01:52 PM
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You forgot thickness. I assume the PFS core is 3" thick and I don't remember the OEM core being that thick. You're looking for volume, 3 dimensions, not just 2 dimensional frontal area.

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Old 08-25-04, 02:02 PM
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I've got a stock IC if you want to buy it. PM me.

-s-
Old 08-25-04, 03:58 PM
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The pressure drop across two stock cores would be horrible.
Old 08-25-04, 04:10 PM
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I would think welding two cores together is nearly impossible. Aside from being able to weld the top and bottom, and both sides together, it's physically impossible to weld 360 degrees around each core/row?
Old 08-25-04, 04:12 PM
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waste of time.
Old 08-25-04, 04:15 PM
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overkill you would take one of the end tanks off of each intercooler and weld them there it would be easy but it would make a weird looking and fitting intercooler that wouldnt really aid your turbos or engine like a correct fitting and flowing one
Old 08-25-04, 04:21 PM
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Definitely waste of time..
Old 08-25-04, 04:25 PM
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I have seen this done. Complete stupidity if you ask me. Not only is it a waste of time but the stock core is crap compared to the Sparco core that PFS used. (Others like GReddy use good cores as well.) The stock one is not only smaller but transfers heat less effectively due to the lack of internal fins.

Think of it this way, if you take two dumps in one spot do you get a pile of gold?
Old 08-25-04, 05:44 PM
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im glad all the really technically gifted fellows replied to my little thread.Wow.I didnt realize that the pfs is exactly twice the size.As far as frontal area.From other pics it looked almost 2 and a half times as big.Then again you guys say its a better core to begin with and also a bit thicker which is probably where it also counts.Forgive my stupidity.I dont exactly know much about intercoolers.But with everyones expertise I see its not a wise decision.Thanx guys for the good info and comparison pics as well.
Old 08-25-04, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by SurgeMonster
overkill you would take one of the end tanks off of each intercooler and weld them there it would be easy but it would make a weird looking and fitting intercooler that wouldnt really aid your turbos or engine like a correct fitting and flowing one
Sorry about that, I forgot that the stock ic has the endcaps on the top and bottom, unlike most other aftermarket ic's. Since the air channels run vertical, my point would apply if you were to try and weld one on top of the other. it cannot be done. Essentially you would be running two ics in parrallel, not making a larger one Got it..
Old 08-25-04, 06:37 PM
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Thats what I was thinking.But I see that my idea is flawed.Pfs Smic here I come
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