Intercooler Question

[ZenArcher]

http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProd ... exID=53143

I have noticed that with those who have forced induction, that the intercooler has been setup with pipes that run underneath the car/radiator and then back up in front of the radiator to the intercooler.

I found the above intercooler and was wondering why people don't run the pipes like this kit, which is over the top of the radiator, as I would have thought that this way would be easier in that it wouldn't foul the A/C, if you have A/C and also this system seems to be less convoluted and less length of hose/pipework.

Granted I don't know a great deal about FI, but am planning it for the future, hence all my questions.

So if someone can tell me why most people run the pipework under the radiator instead of over the top, that would be great.

Is it an efficiency issue?

[Garry]

You need to move the radiator back to use that set up. I'm not sure what happens with the A/C condensor and pipework either. I have seen a similar set up on a turbo car with a DIY intercooler. If you dont mind playing with radiator brackets and stuff it looks like a good setup. Much better than the way they did the SP with all the intake piping running to and fro around the front of the car.