What is the best intercooler available that would fit in a '73 RX3 with minimal cutting?

 

What is your setup? Pics please

 

I have recently installed a 13B-RE from a Cosmo. And I am still debating on doing a small bridgeport or a large streetport. The turbo is a Garrett TA0413 with 3.3" 52*57 trim-0.70 A/R compressor and 76(P) trim-1.30 A/R turbine. I used this on my '76 bridgeport motor for a while. I had a Volvo 760 intercooler on it, decided that I want to upgrade now. I found this link to a cooler online that I like, but it is in Australia. http://www.are.com.au/feat/custcar/Matt%20K%20RX3.htm

 

Very nice setup!!! If you could get the dimensions i am sure you could find one or have one made in the states. Have you ever considered a water to air intercooler? If your really pressed for space it might work out good for you.

 

I have thought about water to air, but I like the simplicity of Air-Air. Once it has already been installed I mean.

 

It looks like most of the RX-3 specific intercoolers from Australia are just PWR cores. You should contact a PWR us distributor and ask if they have one that will work for you.

http://www.rotormaster.com.au/subPage.asp?cid=13

 

I see you are running air-water on your rx3, which looks nice I should add. How do you like it? What are you using for a front cooler? Do you have a reservoir water tank somewhere?

 

Thank you. There is no reservoir, the system holds almost two gallons of water so i don't think it is really necessary. I keep changing my setup and have not had it tuned yet but i can't get much more radical than the setup i went with this time ;o. As for the install and mechanics of it i think it is great, hopefully by the end of the year i will know how good it works.

Here is a pic of the front cooler.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...Picture006.jpg

 

Found a PWR Intercooler (PN# - PWI1338) that seems to be common in Australia. It is supposed to fit RX2, RX3, & RX4.

Core is 12 fpi 17.7"X20"X2.9" with 2.5" in & out.

There is also one (PN# - PWI5040) that has 3" in & out.

Link:
http://www.tweakit.net/shop/index.ph...7a911244042236

 

Nice intercooler, but the price tag WOW. I used a universal intercooler on mine with lots of cutting and mods to make it fit. I'm cheap like that but it works.

 

Plazmaman seems to be another big name out there I had never heard of.

http://www.plazmaman.com/shop/index....yItems&catId=4

I don't like how the end tanks flow straight into the core directly across from each other. Also, the cooler blocks airflow to the oil cooler.

 

You also need to take into consideration that 1 Aussie $ is equal ~0.75US $. Oh yeah, then there is the shipping charges. Hope there is a US dealer.

 

What are the core dimmensions of the universal cooler you are using. Do you know the manufacturer and PN#? Any pics?

 

Its 27x12x3 its bar and plate, I dont know who make its I got from ebay. I know its cheap but what the heck...I didnt want to spend a lot of money on the intercooler plus I wanted my I/C pipes to go under the fender. Heres what it looks like.

 

Engine looks good in there! The IC looks like it should work pretty well too. I like that it is high enough that air can still get to the oil cooler.

 

After browsing the inexpensive intercoolers available on eBay I settled on the EVO 8 intercooler as a good candidate for placment in the RX3. It sell for ~$120.

Core is 20x12.5x3.5. The inlets are pretty well centered to utilize the core well.

Width to tanks is ~25.5". My RX3 has ~26.75" Width available without bending the headlight blinders.

Inlet / outlet locations are positioned such that I think they should fit above the bumper supports. They look like they are ~9.75" from the top max. Some bending of the headlight blinders will probably be required to clear the hoses. The top of the bumper mounts are placed ~10.75" down from the edge of the radiator opening. Also, the overall height will not block airflow to the oilcooler.

3.5" seems to be the max thickness that can fix without trimming the back of the grill. It might be close. I suppose a little trimming won't hurt, but it's not like the grill is easy to replace. It's also one of the coolest features of the RX3.

Anyone see any problems with this cooler and how it will fit?

 

ebay sells bar and plate i/c's? i usually thought it was tube and fin types...

 

Isuzu NPR works really well especially in an RX3.

 

That looks like the mother of all intercollers. What are the dimmensions?
What is an NPR? A Diesel truck?

 

sure they do, bars plates and even stools and chairs. they got every thing....

 

29 1/4" wide overall, from outside of the outlets.
2 3/4" outlets.
19 1/2" core width.
14 1/2" core height.
2" core thickness.

I've seen cars with well over 500rwhp running these. No problems. If you can find one from a NQR it is even better same dimensions but the core it 16" tall and the inlet/outlets are 3", but these are very hard to find.

 

The eBay EVO intercooler is a Chinese knockoff of the well liked AMS EVO Intercooler which retail for $695.http://www.amsperformance.com/store/...roducts_id=172

I find it difficult to trust a cheap eBay intercooler with the life of my engine. If it lets go of any pieces they will end up in my engine. Then my engine may take out my turbo. F@#! that. The higher price tag from a reputable vendor can give piece of mind because they offer accountability for the quality of their products.