[s-cars] Front mounted intercooler?

[CaptMagu at aol.com]

Elijah

The I/C radiator combo that Rod speaks of was a combined effort between Mike
Pederson, Dave Jones, and myself. Dave did all the fabrication and
installation work. This was a major project that replaced all the I/C
plumbing except for the I/C to intake manifold hose. It also requires some
surgery to the front bumper and new plumbing for the A/C condensor. Mike
provided the 4" shorter than stock but deeper radiators. I was able to source
the two I/Cs for Mike's and my car from TEC.

As far as these two I/Cs are concerned they are Garrett aircraft intercooler
cores. Their original dimensions were too tall to fit this application so TEC
had to cut them to size. They now measure 24"x10". Mike's is 3 1/2" thick and
mine is 4" thick(Happersizing in effect-actually TEC had a 3 1/2" core in
stock and he didn't want to wait for the 4"). TEC cut 2" from their height
and then welded a top cap plate and end tanks with hose ends to finish things
off. If you go to the s-car site you can see a feature on my car(Emerald of
the Rockies) with several pictures of my I/C.

The quality of I/C core construction is extremely important. Brian Billotti
made a trip to Colorado recently to experience Happersized I/Cs in person. He
was able to drive Mike's car and spent a lot of time behind the wheel of my
car. His reaction was to dump his enhanced 2Bennett I/C with water spray and
go with a Garrett core I/C. He personally experienced charge air intake temps
at and below ambient temperatures. Conditions were admittedly perfect with
cool moisture laden air providing the boost. Dave and Mike had to talk me
into this mod and I have to give them the credit for being persistent. These
Garrett cores are the best out there. Because of their construction featuring
an excessive amount of aluminum fins inside and outside of the flow tubes,
they weigh about twice as much as some of the other cores.

Hap, cooling lots of hot air in Evergreen, Maguire