So the story starts off...A friend (SoCar S on NAM) and I tried to remove my stock intercooler today to size up my new GTT piece. And it began raining, so we didn't get a chance to shave down the hood scoop or intake manifold. We finish up our other tasks for the afternoon and finally got to putting my stock intercooler back on. And just like when I tried to install my boost gauge, it took about 2 hours to get the intercooler and intake runners to seat in the rubber boots correctly. Multiple vaccum leaks and a false start later, we realized that the front brackets that hold the stock intercooler on play a large part in keeping the intercooler in place when the engine shifts around.

Long story short (not really, still a lot of reading), those brackets appear necessary to keeping the intercooler in place. (Keep in mind I don't have the factory black plastic shroud over the intercooler, and didn't use those brackets the first time around with the intercooler today.)

My first question - whats the easiest way to get the intercooler back on once you take it off? It was a complete pain in the butt to seat both sides without them leaking.

My second question - with the aftermarket intercooler, what is it that holds it in place and keeps it from doing the same thing my intercooler did without those brackets? I ordered alta silicone boots to attach the GTT intercooler to the intake horns, will those help? And do I need to do anything else?

Sorry for the long read, hopefully all the aftermarket intercooler folks can chime in.

 

Never had too much of an issue with the stock unit.

Metal clamps all the way off
Slide the boot up onto the horn a bit past where it should stop
Start with inserting the drivers side(US) first
The the other side

The hardest point to check for me is the bottom, passenger side.
Good flashlight and a small mechanics mirror to check fit.

Then install the clamps. I do the horn first then the IC once I have it centered where I like.

This workks for the stock unit, GRS unit, stock boots or silicone boots ( although these take quite a bit more grunt I can tell you ).

Never had a leak. Not bragging, just careful.



If the Alta boots are like the GTT boots I have they are far more rigid than the OEM units.

 

Yes yes, be VERY careful when removing the boots. I removed my IC for the first time last week. Well, I was in a hurry and was unaware that the boot clamps had to go on a certain way. I got half way to work and I had no boost (boot clamps didn't clamp, so all of the pressure was lost) and it through an EML light and put me in limp mode.

As far as getting the IC back on...it was pretty simple. Just slide it to the left first, and get that boot lined up. After that, slide the right side back down and into position. Now, if your like me, the black boot cover (rubber sealing) got lodged under the SC inlet (or oulet, whichever is on the driver's side). To fix this, slide your finger under it to pop it out. After that, the IC should be back on, just tighten up the boot clamps.

Hope that helps!
-Cody

 

What he said

This is the method i use, and i've never had a leak either, and i'm removed that thing at least 15 times

 

Alrighty, thanks for the confirmation with the stock unit. I like that it sounds so easy now. That's pretty much the playbook we used for the time we got it to work, so that's good. Now how do I hold the aftermarket intercooler in place??! Is it supposed to float there?

 

The GTT is designed to "float" and thus has no other connection points except via the boots. One thing that GTT instructs is to shave the boot clamps so you can clamp down on the boot more (this is key).

I was able to install the GTT IC with stock boots but because the IC had popped a boot several times in the beginning, I did not trust the stock boots and converted to aftermarket heavy duty boots. The heavy duty boots do minimize left / right movement. So YES the heavy duty aftermarkets do help the GTT IC unit a lot in my opinion. GTT has recently come out with aftermarket boots.

HOWEVER GTT did come out with a single rubber bracket that does attach to the engine and the IC to help address side way movement.

Talk to Roland on what is the set-up they are recommending today.

 

okay, i figured a stiffer boot would be a helpful piece, even if they are a PITA to get on there. I'm sure I can do it. Also- Bart - what is that rubber bracket sort of piece used for that you sent? (Also emailed you) As for roland, do I contact him via the email address on the email you sent with the instructions for installation?

One more thing - the instructions say to remove the foam around the inside of the hood scoop, did you do this?

 

The rubber bracket is a GTT piece that Roland designed to help limit any IC Movement. Facing the car there are 4 screw holes - two you gave shaved - its the one all the way to the right. It attaches there and then to one of the boot clamps.

Yes

Yes - I took the foam off carefully and then reused it by realigning it to the GTT IC - see pic.

 

awesome, I got the seal redone as per that picture. Now...the picture you sent me as for where that bracket goes...how does it go on there? Im not sure what you mean

 

The bracket has threads and screws into the last hole on the right and then the other side with the hole is designed to accept one of the boot clamp screws. The boot clamp screw goes thru this bracket then thru the upper half of the boot bracket and then you tighten the boot screw. All of this takes place under the right diverter.

Drop Roland an email - I think he can provide a pic. At the end of the day I did not use it. I know the did many install with out it.