There's a clip holding the front bumper to the panel. In order to pull off the bumper it has to be depressed and released. Tape added to stop paint from getting scratched when the clip was depressed, it worked well.
Mazdaspeed suggests that you undo clamps on the fog light to release it, no way, just undoing the clip is much easier.
How it looks with no front bumper.
Yes, those are empty pot plants and they worked a treat to centre and align the intercooler into place.
Stock cooler off, I used an electric saw to cut the pipes. Cooler is 72cm in length i cut 73cm, why so little cut? Well there is plenty of free play with the cooler pipes and the silicone reducers go completly over the pipes with some soapy water. Therefore no slop.
Filled the edges of the pipe and cleanning up all the metal bits.
With silicone joiners on 2 to 2.25 inch
The metal brackets that i used, are brackets used to secure aftermarkets stereos. Quite strong and able to bend with the help of a vice and pliers. I contorted them to fit into the existing stock bracket holder. I used spring washers and rubber grommets to ensure that they remain secure and absorb the vibration.
Finished product.
Im afraid to admit it took me 7 hours to do it all pretty much alone, you need a second person to help with re-installation of the bumper.
Props to
Boyracer & Mazdaspeed
