Powerstroke I/C?

[just plain john]

I've seen a number of search results on the Powerstroke intercooler install. I really like the looks of it, and apparently it's lots cheaper than a high end FMIC from one of the vendors. As I have the stock I/C now, an upgrade is not out of the question. Could anyone with such I/C installed chime in with a thumbs up/down or offer an opinion?

 

[Chevota]

I've seen a number of search results on the Powerstroke intercooler install. I really like the looks of it, and apparently it's lots cheaper than a high end FMIC from one of the vendors. As I have the stock I/C now, an upgrade is not out of the question. Could anyone with such I/C installed chime in with a thumbs up/down or offer an opinion?

9.30's@3000lbs here.

 

[just plain john]

I've seen several of your posts and I checked out your truck, which is very impressive indeed. I'm guessing your fabrication skills are far superior superior to mine. Was there alot of fab work to get it in?

 

[jasjamz]

How fast are you trying to go? Put a duttweiler neck on the stocker, it saves you a lot of time and has good results. I saw a board member that went 11.03 with a full weight car and a 63mm turbo. IIRC he is going with something diffrent now.

 

[Pronto]

Just recently there was a thread on this. Someone that did the mod has a link to pics and a list of parts needed on his install. It does involve cutting the radiator support. It looks like other than removing most of front of the car, that it's pretty straight forward. It's pretty large. You may want to upgrade your radiator or box it in so you can get maximum cooling.

 

[just plain john]

The truth is I don't have a top speed or ET in mind. I'll probably never actually race, maybe a few 'test and tune' sessions at the local track. I just like the look of that giant assed I/C. Going into a G bodied hybrid, so I'm not too concerned with cutting the core support. Are you saying that the duttweiler neck will work as well?

 

[jasjamz]

If its the look you want and you dont mind the work then go for it. I don't have back to back testing.

 

[Pronto]

Are you saying that the duttweiler neck will work as well?

Depending on what your mods are the dut neck can be a nice upgrade for a few tenths. Once you get beyond a certain point the stock intercooler is just too small to let all that air through and it becomes a restriction. I think that point is low 12s high 11s. At that point most guys go to a larger stock location or front mount. There are some massive front mounts out there but they would be overkill (and too expensive) for you if you're not racing all the time. If you continue to upgrade the car (you haven't mentioned the current mods or times) then you could "grow into" the Powerstroke i/c or you could find a used larger stock location. Either would probably cost about the same.

 

[just plain john]

I've decided to go ahead with this. Is anyone out there using one and has retained the A/C? Most all I have seen posted has not used it, but here in Houston it's nice to have.

 

[boostingbuick]

I run the PS inter cooler. I have AC and it works. Great flowing unit but you need to cut the core support. I installed 5 inch tube and welded to the core support to be the structure intact. And you also need to trim the inner fender wells. Mine were in poor shape so I did not mind.

 

[just plain john]

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? This will be my first attempt at a non bolt on type of mod, and I'd like to know the tricks, if there are any.

 

[just plain john]

Sorry, I should have asked if you could post a pic.

 

[christians87]

Ive also been consitering installing a ps intercooler. I too love the way they look. Does anyone have any numbers showing improvements at the track with these intercoolers? Also, has anyone relocated the inlet and outlet tubes to the bottem of the tanks like many front mounts for these cars?

 

[just plain john]

Hey Christian, I used to have a 63 Ford truck too. Sure wish I'd have kept it I really liked the smooth lines. Oh well.......

 

[christians87]

Yea i love them too. Do you have any pictures of your truck? Id like to see it maybe get some ideas for my truck.

 

[boostingbuick]

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? This will be my first attempt at a non bolt on type of mod, and I'd like to know the tricks, if there are any.

I paid 100 for mine and was in need of a front mount. Would I do it again? Not on a nice car. But something more performance oriented, yes because you can save a few bucks. But you need to be able to weld. Plus use a saw to cut the core support, inner fenders, the bumber mount, and the corners of the bright light buckets on the header panel. So make sure this is what you want to do. I would think if you can save up and buy a front mount it maybe worth it. But I have made good power with.

 

[Nick Micale]

A PS intercooler is a LOT better than a Dut neck stock unit, or any stock location IC.

One local GN has run low 9's with one, and others mid-9's.

The ones we have installed the PS's were modified so the core support does not have to be altered, but the battery needs to be relocated. We cut the outlet and inlet on the PS intercooler, and weld them back at 90 degrees from where they were so they both face outboard.

We the use two 90 degree silicone 3" hoses to enter the engine compartment through the core support holes behind the headlights.

The stock PS pipes can easily be modified to fit to the turbo and throttle body.

 

[Nick Micale]

.......... Also, has anyone relocated the inlet and outlet tubes to the bottem of the tanks like many front mounts for these cars?

The design and location of the PS tanks and outlets optimize full flow through ALL the cores of this heat exchanger. It eliminates "short circuiting" pressurized air going between inlet and outlet.

With the tapered tanks and center outlets, air is much more evenly distributed throughout all the cores instead of just good flow at one end.

Also, eliminating any bends, especially sharp one, will increase flow as the resistance is decreased.

The shorter pipes to the turbo and throttle body also improve air flow.

 

[christians87]

The ones we have installed the PS's were modified so the core support does not have to be altered, but the battery needs to be relocated. We cut the outlet and inlet on the PS intercooler, and weld them back at 90 degrees from where they were so they both face outboard.

We the use two 90 degree silicone 3" hoses to enter the engine compartment through the core support holes behind the headlights.

The stock PS pipes can easily be modified to fit to the turbo and throttle body.

How did you do this? By setting up the ps ic this way is there any cutting of anything that needs to be done? Do you have any pictures of these intercoolers set up this way? THanks.

 

[Nick Micale]

How did you do this? By setting up the ps ic this way is there any cutting of anything that needs to be done? Do you have any pictures of these intercoolers set up this way? THanks.

Yes, you cut the outlets and weld them to face outboard. This is the only pic I can now find of the install: