So I bought an ETS front mount intercooler, and was pleasantly surprised to find that in order to mount it, I have to take off a big piece of core support that is behind the bumper. I wanted to do this job at home. Anyone have any ideas how I could take this piece off?

 

Removing that cross beam would seriousily compromise your vehicles front support structure. I cannot believe the instructions call for that to be cut out, and never have I witnessed an IC install that had it done.



Later

 

With that said, do you know how to take it off?
Out of curiosity, how do you know it would seriously compromise the front structure? Is that just a guess, or are you a mechanic? Just wondering.

 

that is a main part of the front end structure, cut that out & what will be holding the front sides together? i think i would look at a different way of mounting that.

 

Any suggestions?
I tried looking for install instructions for other fmics, but I could not find one on this site

 

Here it is installed on their car...

 

I have worked these cars a LOT longer than you probably known they existed and torn down every pratical part. Now with that go ahead and drill out every spot weld you see on that cross member and pull it off. Now without putting anything back to substantially re-inforce the structure go ahead and install your IC. Report back to the forum your experience afterwards on the stability of your ride vs the cool charge you've set up for your engine...



LAter

 

Wow... What a bad idea. Please do not install that for the sake of the person that purchases this car after you are done with it. By removing that you will compromise the structural integrity of the front of the car.

One good option you DO have is that looks like a decent ic core and you could always rework it into a stock mount or v-mount ic setup. Not to mention this would give you better cooling capability with your radiator. I am personally getting ready to remove my greddy fmic and rework it into a vmount.

 

Any ideas on where I could put this core then? I got this because I did not want to relocate the radiator, but I guess Im not going to rip off the core support brace

 

Turn it into a V-mount.....


The above CYM picture demonstrates why our cars are getting increasingly rarer due to the extremely poor mechanic gene pool out there "working" on them.

And you were ready to follow suit


LAter

 

That intercooler's installation process is very similar to the Rx7Fashion,XS-Engineering and Turbo Street Fighters' FMIC's, but different in design. They've been out since the beginning and so has the debate on whether removing that crossbeam is a good idea or not. Try searching those 3 intercoolers to get more answers.

 

Relocating the radiator really is not that big of a deal. Just fab up some support brackets for the IC and radiator. You will probably also have to move the input/outlet on the IC but again, any shop can do that for you relatively easily. Good luck with the build and if you do make it into a vmount snap several pics along the way, I am sure someone down the line will be in the same situation you are in and it would help them greatly.