Has anobody tried this? Just wondering, since the greddy one requires the removal of the bumper support, i was wondering if you could simply bolt on a different one that fits. Personally i like the design of the APS intercooler. Anybody tried this?

 

I was actually looking into the same thing. The greddy kit can be had for pretty cheap, and there are a few shops around here that can make fmic's for about 5-600 bucks. I personally think the greddy core itself isn't wide enough, and from studying pictures of the core on without the front bumper, it seems to me that if the core had rear faced inlets/and outlets instead of side exits, you could get a core about 6-8 inches wider than the greddy.

If you wanted a core that can retain the 5 mph bumper, I'd go with a wider core to compensate for the lack of height.

 

Interesting! Subscribing!

 

Anybody!?!?!

 

Yes, you can do this. The issue is not the thickness, or the length. The issue is the dual entry on the passenger side. This is great, from a performance perspective and a TT setup, but unfortuantely, the top tank and pipe block the mounting location for the factory crash bar. You can make a modification to this bracket, and fabricate a chromoly steel crash bar, that will probably be stronger than the AL factory brace.

Making a new crash bar, or customizing a new intercooler and piping setup will probably cost you the same amount of money.

 

Surely i should be able to go out an buy any intercooler for the Z and bolt it on, assuming most companies have there turbos located in the same place. So if Greddy and APS have there turbos in the exact same location, (or pretty damn close) i should be able to use the full intercooler and piping from the APS kit and just bolt it straight up to the Greddy turbos?

 

I wish it were that simple. APS and PE use complete different turbos, manifolds, and piping, vs. the Greddy kit.

And why would you go through all that cost? Not to mentioned that APS will not sell their piping kits seperately.

Custom IC, and intercooler piping, or a modified crash bar is the better approach, IMHO.

 

I'm not sure if you are aware but generally these crash bumpers are only effective within the 5-10 mph speed range. If you crash at any speed faster, your intercooler and radiator are definitely going to be affected.

 

Nevermind then, i''l just wait an see what HKS comes up with, i'm sure they wont dissapoint! Thanks though

 

I'm not being a d1ck, but do you have evidence for this. I just find that it is reasuring to have that big chunk of aluminum up there, and not run the risk of having my motor in my lap in an accident. Plus i'm very sure that it ads structural rigidity to the car.

 

The bump will minimize damage, even at speeds greater than 10mph. Chances are, it will not save your IC or rad at greater speeds, but it might save your engine!
Basically, without it, a minor fender bender, will cause a lot of damage.

 

Do all kits relocate the the air bag sensor or effect it in any way?

 

I'm just referring to my experience with crashing two of my older DSM's. I rear ended a friend once with the crash bar in tact, and then I t-boned a guy who ran a red light (without the crash bar) and there was the same amount of damage both times. Both were going about 40 mph-ish. I know they aren't the same cars, but these are typically much older and less technologically advanced cars

I'm just speaking from personal experience, I also would think that it's reassuring having extra support, and it does serve it's purpose of directing the impact around the engine opposed to directly into it.

I'm just trying to say your intercooler will still be affected with or without that bar in crashed over 5-10 mph.

 

If i crash, i couldn't care less about the intercooler or rad, i'll be more worried about the motor.

 

Mr B went with an Apexi Core, if i remember correctly-



he had a local race shop weld the piping-

 

They all remain in the factory location.

 

i was reading on the Turbonetics / Spearco website that they can make custom intercoolers to your specs, including the inlet and outlet configurations... see link

couldn't someone just give them the Greddy IC specs and have them make one with the same inlet and outlet configurations and a slightly shorter overall core height? if anything then the only piping mod might be to the top turbo pipe into the intercooler b/c it would be alittle lower

 

That is not a maybe but a certainty, the main reason the front bumper brace is removed is because the upper intake into the intercooler is located right where the bracket for the brace would bolt to the car.

 

if you dont like the kits that are offered out there, and they all have some sort of fitment issue, then as mentioned already, you could opt for a custom intercooler setup. Let me know if I can be of any help (see my sig)

 

I spoke with several people about this same issue and they said it could be done. How ever the shop that did the install said that they couldnt do it. my question is: Is there any one out there with pics of a modified/ new crash bar or mounting brackets?

I just wanna see it for my self because Im not too keen on the whole lack bumper. Plus just my mental geometry; but it looks like you will need to stiffen the the body/ suspention a bit with out it.

just my $.02