Hey guys,

I had almost finished removing the OEM SMIC, except for the two lower screws holding the intercooler to the air duct. How can I unattach the SMIC from the air duct? Should I just clip the fasteners (referenced in photos)? Do I have to go through the trouble of taking off the bumper and radiator assembly just to get to the screws?

Thanks in advance.

 

You have to just pry them out.

 

I am able to unscrew them with a smaller 10mm tool (forget what type I use) and maneuver my hand under the duct. Just be patience and take your time, you will eventually able to take it out.

I also install a Blitz SMIC. I would suggest you notch the air box mount (the one right next to the SMIC) to clear some room so you won't rob your Blitz SMIC. I use a dremel and notch the corner off the mount.

BC

 

^ yeah, i just did this like 3 days ago too (for a rebuild though). remove any obstructions from the sides, air ducts, battery, and air box will do it (took me like 10 minutes being careful) and get a offset box end 10mm wrench on the bolts... they're exactly like the ones on the top. once you pop those plastic things they probably won't hold like they used to.

 

arent those snaps? if so theyll pop out without much trouble.

 

they're not snaps. just use a small 10mm wrench as mentioned above ^. just have to work inbetween the IC and radator fan motors, its a small space but doable. if u undo the ec mounts to the crossmember u can have someone pull up on the ic to give u some more space. its not that difficult.

 

Thanks for your help, guys. I was having a difficult time getting the Blitz SMIC to mount, so I put the stock one back on. However, when I started up my car, I got a low coolant buzz. I went to refill my coolant and it all leaked out towards the passenger's side, where I wasn't even working. I'm gonna have it towed to A-Spec tomorrow to get checked out, as well as have them install my SMIC and some other mods.

The only positive to this is that I succeeded in installing my aluminum AST.

 

easy way out, just cut the end, thats what i did
its rreally hard to get a tool to the bottom to pry it out

 

its probably leaking b/c of something that went wrong during your ast install.. did you forget to hook up the coolant hose running to the overfill tank or accidentally yank it out?

 

yeah dude, shes on the passenger side. 3 hoses. one mighta poppes off. the bottom one goes to the radiator. the one on the side goes to the overflow. the one on the top goes to the water pump. good luck.

well crap i didnt have those screws in my duct....shady.

 

I connected all 3 hoses to the AST. And I'm not sure why the leak would be coming from the opposite side of where I was working--I guess I accidentally pulled something out. Right now, I'm too tired and frustrated to investigate. I'm throwin' in the towel and I'm gonna let the pros handle it tomorrow.

 

wait...its on the drivers side...mmmm