After debating for a while over the best intercooler setup, i decided on the trusty v-mount. After looking at prices I was kinda put off with this idea, but I saw that several ppl have made up there own kits, so i figured I would give it a shot. I am very mechanically inclined, (you have to be to own a 3rd gen), and I have some welding experience so I set out on collecting parts. I got the rad which is a PWR unit from a member on the forum, that had already been modified to be used in a v-mount setup. I then figured the largest intercooler I could stuff under the hood and came across the perfect size on ebay. So far parts cost me about $500, I then bought all the couplers, t-bolt clamps, and Greddy elbow to finish up the job, tack about another $200 on. I also switched to an Odyssey P-680 battery to make more room for the intercooler. It took me about a week or so to finish this project, but that was due to poor weather and work. i probably couldve knocked this out in a few days if I had no distractions. Anyhow, I documented the progress on a local forum a few guys and myself have started so I'll just give you the link to that. If this is an issue I can just repost everything on here. I still need to make up a few ducting pieces but the car is on the road for now. Let me know what ya think or if you have any questions, fire away.

http://www.forum.1auto.org/viewtopic.php?t=498&start=0

 

Looks nice, can't wait to see the finished product

 

Great job, that's a lot of work. One thing though: there is no way in hell you are getting 30-35 mpg on the highway

 

Yes, very nice vmount. It is mounted almost like the HKS, except the radiator is mounted like Rotary Extreme, and all the JDM manufacturers. All you need to do now, is either powder coat, or get those pipes polished. Two thumbs up.

 

all you guys doing your own v-mount has got me thinking Now I want to do one

 

looks good. a lot of work but you've done a good job so far... good luck with the pipe fab.

 

Thanks guys. Not real sure what I wanna do with the piping yet. The ones I have on there are 2.5" steel flared at the ends to 2.75" and as you can see, that one pipe is a piece of crap but good just so I can drive the car. I have a few options. I can either gets some 2.75" mandrel bends in aluminum and piece together the piping that way, or my local muffler shop has 2.75" straight steel and I could do it like the JDM tuners do, cut and weld small sections together to make the curves that I need. The problem with the aluminum mandrels is I have never welded aluminum before and dont really wanna try this as my first attempt.

As far as my ducting, I think im gonna open up the stock undertray beneath the rad to let the air flow out. I was testing with the fans on and it actually feels like some air is actually being blown back up through the rad instead of out of the bottom, so I feel this will help out alot. The other ducting I need are 2 small sections at the lower sides of the rad and 2 at the top to prevent the air from going around the intercooler. I plan on making some kind of diverter in the passenger side upper duct to direct air towards the intake filters. Shouldnt really be that difficult. Just need to find the time to do it.

 

Hahahaha, I know, I like to exaggerate that a bit for those that arent that knowledable about rotaries, so they dont give me that dumb look when i tell them its more in the 20's on the highway.