Mishimoto Z-line intercooler and charge piping

[stealth_5mge]

Hey CS.com.
Just wanted to share my experience installing the mishimoto Z-line intercooler on my 5m-GTE project.
i know a lot of the pics show no clamps on the couplers and no mounts for the cooler itself. Pics were taken in the "mockup" stage

The Intercooler.
I chose the Z-line because I wanted to upgrade from the 7M heat exchanger. I didnt need a huuuge FMIC good for 600HP. The mishimoto comes with a lifetime warranty. and lastly mishimotos are very reasonably priced for a reputable IC manufacturer.

[IMG][/IMG]
I got the "anodized black"(actually painted to my dismay) version because im trying to go for a low key "looks like it belongs" build
the cooler fits in front of the radiator snug but nicely with some minor notching of the REbar brackets.


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I had to remove the hood latch reinforcement but it went right back in without modification after the cooler was in place.
[IMG][/IMG]

If I could change anything about the Intercooler, I wish it was a little shorter in length and taller. That would have simplified the install.
let me know what you think so far, would love some feedback, questions criticisms.
next post will be cold-side charge pipes.
~Tony

[stealth_5mge]

Cold-Side charge piping.
This was one of those universal 2.5" ebay DIY piping kits from a company named DNA motoring. The kit was about $160 to my door after shiping and duties, it would have been about $90 to my door if i lived south of the border. the transition to the throttle body is 2.5"- 2.75" and theres a couple 2.5" mishi brand 90's (one in the fender that i dont have a pic of. Having a few silicone elbows (90, 45 etc) at your disposal makes life easier as they are more forgiving than straight couplers and they have shorter radii than the pipe bends, good for tight spots. Also, make sure you deburr the edges of any pipes you cut and remove any metal particulate created from the cutting process, then after you've fiddled and f**ked around test fitting, your pipes, they have probably accumulated some dust and debris, so clean them out again before final assembly. you can't be too anal about cleanliness.
heres a pic of the engine bay portion of the charge piping which was fairly straight foreward (figuratively)
[IMG][/IMG]

Had to clear the Ginormous AEM dryflow filter


used a 2.5" holesaw then painted to seal the metal and cleaned up the rough edge with some clip on rubber door trim.


As you can tell by all the scratches in the paint, this last joint was an absolute c**ksucker to get in (didnt want to enlarge the hole too much or remove too much material from the REbar mount.


Well thats pretty much the cold side for my Z-line intercooler. Hopefully these pics give anybody considering a 5/6/7M turbo build an idea of my setup. BTW I used up most of my mandrel bent aluminum on the cold side so i had to get creative with my hotside, which i have yet to take pictures of, but i will hopefully get them up soon.
As always, any comments, criticisms, questions or concerns welcomed

[1982 Dragon]

Nice work!

[82 Lover]

thats awesome! what are you running the maf too? im turboing my 5m too and taking all the notes i can

[stealth_5mge]

I'm running a DIY PNP N52 (megasquirt) ECU from diyautotune.com which allowed me to delete the AFM (you don't have to). Because the megasquirt uses MAP signal and temp sensor to meter air, the AFM acts only as a temp sensor and fuel pump switch. I used a plug from a spare AFM and a transformer from a cell phone charger to make a weatherproof adapter to my GM intake air temp sensor, kind of a frankenstein but it will keep out contamination and I didnt want to hack the harness. you can see it in this pic just below the pipe that goes into the fender.