I'm coming up on my 15K and figured I do the maintenance myself (I've got the manual)...so while I'm taking the front bumper off (edit: opps...newb mistake), figured I'd see about switching out the OE intercoolers with better aftermarket ones.

The car already has upgraded exhaust / flash / lowering springs / SSK...

Anyone recommend a really good IC?

I'll must likely switch out to silicone boost hoses as well.

Thx.

 

I'd look for those intercoolers under the rear bumper.

 

 

My bad...what are the radiators on the sides up front then? Opps...brain fart...sides are oil, center is water, right?

OK. In any event, I'm still looking to do a few upgrades to the OE. So the ? is still valid.

Any recommendation on the ICs?

 

You might want to just keep wrenching on your Civic Brah and find a good Indy for the 996 TT. Or spend a few months researching your car on the forum before you start tearing it apart.

 

To help you out a bit:
Front(left, centre, and right side) are all coolant radiators, in-front of the side radiators are a/c condensers. Engine oil is cooled via a oil/coolant heat exchanger on the engine.
Charge air intercoolers are in the back bumper area, air comes in the quarter panel vents.
No such thing as 'best' intercoolers. Depends on use/application..
Cheers,

 

Thanks...I'll look a bit more. Was just looking for some direction to point the search.

I'm usually a hands-on kind of guy and tearing into things (as long as I have a manual as I do RTFM) I do just fine. I've gone over the various DIY videos and will be doing the cleaning of the condensers.

I'm a bit hesitant about working on the engine as this pretty much requires a lift to really get in there. I'm going to attempt to do the spark plug change which seems a bit involved in comparison to my previous vehicles which is is simple "lean-over-and-socket-wrench-them-out" proposition.

I'm looking to start auto-crossing and read that the OE intercoolers are typically unsuited for modified vehicles as are the intercooler hoses. As the car was moded when I got it, I'm taking over the upgrades and this seemed like the next logical step.

 

Dont let em get to you 90% of the guys with these cars dont touch them at all only Porsche technicians they pay do.

 

Lots of good options, Protomotive, 911Tuning, AWE, Forge, ETS. Best bet is to talk to a few vendors like Todd at Protomotive, Marksi at 911tuning or Tony at EPL.

 

Good advice! Don't forget the 997.2's as well - a cheaper alternative to the above, yet excellent choice for moderately modified engines. Do a search and you will find plenty of threads to guide your research. Good luck!

 

Search for posts by Earl, he did a ton of research with various intercooler setups, complete with temperature results and such. If you don't have a turbo upgrade I'd go with 997.2 IC's. All the aftermarket aluminum ones are going to be much heavier, however, you also will get a plug and play IC and won't have to worry about leaks as much.

 

With the minor mods you have you will be wasting money if you get new IC's. They won't benefit you you unless you plan on doing other things down the road.

 

...Agreed...
I like my AWE intercoolers and Markski also makes nice intercoolers..
Ones that use bigger diameter hoses are better to have.

 

Get the 911Tuning IC's, plug and play with the factory size hoses.

 

Good choice.