I'm about to install a 19% pulley and ALTA intake...my question is, who recommends an intercooler air diverter from ALTA? Will this help with the reliability of the engine and components while using the 19%? What about the sprayer system, is it effective at cooling down the engine enough to better withstand the extra heat from the pulley? And lastly how does the diverter compare when not using the sprayer system? I'm sure many have this same question since a new intercooler may be out of the budget for some.

Thanks,
Lukee

 

I'm not sure what to say about the diverter. I have had it for ~11 months. Is there an improvement in cooling? I dunno. Is there rust all over the diverter? Yes. Are the rubber "seals" rusted and keep sliding off? Yes. Am I happy that I spent the money on it? No. Could the silicone IC boots that came with it be installed? After THREE seperate attempts, NO.

 

I have both, and the only one I can really vouch for building power is the pulley. The diverter looks nice though, you just have to paint it. I never bothered with the sprayer assembly.

 

I really dont understand why people cant get the couplers on... they just slid right into place for me. As for the diverter, I vouche FOR it. Check out this post:


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=27350

SFJames loves his also.

 

I never meant in terms of power gains but rather in terms of coling down everything since i have the 19%. Since the biggest issue is the extra heat being produced, I thought that the diverter might be a good idea but I need to know how well it works. Thanks for your inputs.

Lukee

 

Lukee, in this case heat means power, or the lack of power. The 19% produces more power, especially when it is pumping cool air. If you pump hot air, power is greatly minimized. I have the 19% as well as the diverter. I will get a larger intercooler ASAP.

 

You must be very talented. I have spent over an hour combined to get them on. Not even close. The smaller coupling is way too tight. I got one side of it on...that lasted for less than 30 seconds.

 

I thought a shop installed it for you? BTW, Magnaflow does make a redesigned system for 04 MCS. I was speaking with them last week. They have changed the hangers to fit 04 configuration.

 

I was there watching the whole thing (a friend of mine works there). He put the coupler on both sides of the intercooler, then slid the small end in first and popped the larger end in with a screwdriver. Of course Magnaflow now has the right hangers... now that mine is all installed! Its ok though, the job was done well wwithout the correct hanger position. When I ordered mine the dumb**** I talked to on the phone said: "Uhm, I dunno. Maybe they will have one but its not a priority."

 

That thread above has quite the testimonial. Call me a skeptic but I just can't see how a piece of plastic like that can double the efficiency of the intercooler. Heck, I have a real hard time believing it can produce anything close to a noticeable difference in anything. But that's just me.

 

i heard from mini madness that when they did testing with it, it didnt do anything to the car, waste of money he said, the water sprayer didnt do anything for the car. do see why i should spend money on something that doesnt even work.

 

What's up guys, to the guy who started this thread........it does work, I'd def. get it if I was putting a 19% pulley on.

This thing is not going to give your car any additional power, it keeps your car from losing it due to the intercooler heating up. If your in the Bay Area I'd be willing to take you for a drive to show you. :smile: motor, motor everyone.

P.S. Diverter = eye candy
Couplers = eye candy
Spray = extra cooling, only actual benefit.

 

THanks I appreciate the response...right now it seems that it is almost 50/50 with two strong testimonials...I dont live in the bay area, I'm in Toronto but I appreciate the offer. If anyone else has a comment on this product I'd be glad to hear it.

Lukee

 

I hear ya lukee, truth is, if you can mount something that sprays the intercooler on the stock intercooler cover, it would cool just the same as the sprayer mounted to the Diverter. Wetting the intercooler for piece of mind was my main objective for getting this. take care:smile:

 

...therefore, rig up a sprayer for ~$20.00 and paint your factory cover. The spray system on the diverter is hoaky, at best.

 

Its not "hoaky", it has pretty colors too!

 

All of this discussion on the diverter has prompted me to do something I have wanted to do to my Alta diverter for a long time. Now it is done. When the paint dries, I will post pics.

Tools involved:

Chop Saw
Big A@@ hammer
Cement Floor

 

Bisch, it'll look better wet maybe. whutcha got going on over yonder?

 

Okay, here it is. I chopped off excess metal on the right side. Most importantly, I bent the front edge back out flat. This eliminates the gap between the hood scoop and the front edge of the intercooler. Air is directed over the top of the IC now, rather than some over and the rest "splashed" into the front edge...

BEFORE:


AFTER:

 

Good stuff man. I'm doing the same with my Diverter, GREAT idea. I've always disliked that front edge of the diverter too. :smile: