Help installing Helix intercooler

Porthos · #1 02-08-2010, 06:42 PM

Is there any support to hold up the intercooler? The shop that my car is at is afraid that it is not going to hold up just connected to the hoses. Any help will do.

ThumperMCS · #2 02-08-2010, 07:06 PM

No there isn't....

It will stay supported, no worries.

dunphyj · #3 02-08-2010, 08:47 PM

yeah... it'll be just fine

countryboyshane · #4 02-09-2010, 03:09 AM

+1

It's not going anywhere. I've had mine on for about 15K miles without any rattles or issues.

MINIutia · #5 02-09-2010, 07:37 AM

I had the same concern and asked (actually challenged) Helix about this. They said it would be fine. Doubtful I finished the install, and like everyone else - zero problems. In fact, once the front end is is re-installed reach through the grill and try to move it, it feels solid.

stinkytofu · #6 02-09-2010, 12:47 PM

ever since i installed mine myself i had no problems what so ever, the fitment on mine in pretty tight against the front bumper

tmo8462 · #7 02-09-2010, 12:53 PM

Just put one in a friends 09 MCS and it sits fine without any holders. We thought the same thing after taking off the OEM Inter-cooler and seeing them. But with the bumper on it fits snug inside.

Porthos · #8 02-09-2010, 04:19 PM

So its kinda wobbily without the front bumper but once the bunper is on it won't move. Cause the shop was noticing the clamps on the stock one but they are concered it is going bang everywhere

tmo8462 · #9 02-09-2010, 04:32 PM

So far there has been no problem and it has been 4 days. There is little room for it to move once behind the bumper. We have noticed a major difference in the temp of the turbo though after about 30 minutes of driving hard it wasn't hardly hot as before. so

for it. But I understand why they would have a concern about it not having mounts that was my 1st thought when we compared the two.

Porthos · #10 02-09-2010, 04:50 PM

I will let them know in the morning then have them call me when its done

tmo8462 · #11 02-09-2010, 04:52 PM

Just tell them its how its sold, now put the part on, lol. your paying them to so.

Porthos · #12 02-09-2010, 05:04 PM

Well I am not really paying them insurance is but when I saw the car today they had already put the stock one on and the bumper on so they might not be willing to take it back it off and put the helix one on

**Helix13mini** · #13 02-09-2010, 05:57 PM

With the bumper cover on, it's snug as a bug, and going nowhere. It doesn't rub or chafe. You'll be fine. We had a prototype on our shop car for more than a year before we marketed it (long enough for a competitor to steal the design, and beat us to market

). It's been tested. Enjoy

Porthos · #14 02-09-2010, 06:11 PM

Sweet thank you. I like it from the horses mouth it leaves nothing to confusion

Noegel · #15 02-09-2010, 08:51 PM

So is the Helix and Forge intercoolers more or less the same, just produced differently? Just wondering...

eR1c · #16 02-09-2010, 09:50 PM

I too didn't like the lack of supports on the Helix design, yet once installed w/ the bumper back on it does sit very tight and snug. Like someone else mentioned, try moving it by putting your fingers through the front grill ...the intercooler won't move, it's snug.

I am surprised the shop wouldn't install it? I am not a pro mechanic, yet it's very apparent that the intercooler will sit tight once you put the bumper in place.

I'd personally recommend you install the intercooler yourself, it's a very easy install and should only take you about 3-4 hours max. For a shop, i hope they aren't charging you more than 1.5 hours. If I had to install another intercooler i'd bet money I could do it in about an hour, maybe 1.5 max time. I think if you install it yourself you'll also get a good sense of how well built and designed the Helix intercooler is and how it does fit snug once installed.

-there are plenty of people on these boards (including myself) who'd be more than happy to help guide you through the install process should you decide to go that route. -let us know! It's a pretty easy bolt on install.

tmo8462 · #17 02-10-2010, 04:58 AM

It's a easy mod for a DIY took me and my buddy about a 1-2 hours to do it. Biggest hang up is pulling out the slip clamps with out breaking them. If all goes well I would say about a hour to hour and half total. Just be aware that the stock tubes attached to it are a lot bigger and might seem like they do not fit but tightened down they do.

Porthos · #18 02-10-2010, 06:13 PM

So they installed it and no problems. And once again they didn't feel comfortable but once it was in there they were cool with it. I didn't pay for the install. Since my car was already in the shop for repairs from my fender bender. They had to take off the stock one and I just asked since the stock one was off how about put that one on. They charged it as mechanical on my insurance and it was all good.

tmo8462 · #19 02-10-2010, 06:26 PM

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats you should be able to tell the difference right away go out on a drive then pull over and put your hand over the turbo and see if you can feel the difference.

Porthos · #20 02-10-2010, 06:32 PM

Ya I did when I got home it was a lot cooler. Still warm but, significantly cooler.

ThumperMCS · #21 02-10-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmo8462

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats you should be able to tell the difference right away go out on a drive then pull over and put your hand over the turbo and see if you can feel the difference.

A FMIC should have 0 difference in turbo temps....

It does it's work on the intake air post-turbo...

tmo8462 · #22 02-10-2010, 10:54 PM

ThumperMCS, maybe its just our imagination, but after running at I'll just say "higher speeds" for about 45 minutes we pulled over and noticed a difference in how much heat was actually coming from the turbo or could have been the actual engine temp.