GTSSportCoupe
2LTE abuser
EDIT: Finished install thread is here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/745872-lj78-air-water-intercooler-working.html
I've decided it's time for an intercooler on my Prado. I think the lack of factory intercooler is half the failing of the overworked little 2lte engine.
Call me insane, but I want to be able to tow a 2500lb camper trailer with my Prado. I expect I'll be boosting pretty high constantly while towing even on the flat, so a highly effective intercooler is a must.
Adding an intercooler to the LJ78 Prado is a bit of a PITA. The most common option is to cut a hole in the hood to do a top mount intercooler. These suffer heat soak, poor air flow and offer minimal performance. Another option is a large front mount which means completely removing the A/C system to make room for the piping. My wife wants me to keep the A/C though, as our cruiser will be used for family vacations in summer. So the front mount is out.
So I had to think outside the box. A water to air intercooler became the best option, as it is by far the best performer, and it's easy to run the small coolant lines to a front mount heat exchanger. Normally these systems cost a fortune, however I scored a decent used setup on Ebay for $240 shipped to my door. I've got a bunch of leftover 2" aluminum intercooler piping at home that I'll use for the charge pipes in the engine bay. I'll use some general purpose heater hose, and may share my radiator expansion tank, as I'll run the same rad fluid in the intercooler system.
Heres a few pics of the parts coming in the mail:
Heat Exchanger (26"x7"x2"):
Bosch water pump:
Subaru Legacy RS water air intercooler core (will get sandblasted and repainted, don't worry, haha):
I'll post more pics and some feedback on performance once I get it all installed in early November. Around the same time I plan to re-do the down pipe and exhaust. Should make a big difference...
Also, here is my engine bay. The intercooler core will sit between the battery and fuel filter. Charge piping will run across the top of the engine.
I've decided it's time for an intercooler on my Prado. I think the lack of factory intercooler is half the failing of the overworked little 2lte engine.
Call me insane, but I want to be able to tow a 2500lb camper trailer with my Prado. I expect I'll be boosting pretty high constantly while towing even on the flat, so a highly effective intercooler is a must.
Adding an intercooler to the LJ78 Prado is a bit of a PITA. The most common option is to cut a hole in the hood to do a top mount intercooler. These suffer heat soak, poor air flow and offer minimal performance. Another option is a large front mount which means completely removing the A/C system to make room for the piping. My wife wants me to keep the A/C though, as our cruiser will be used for family vacations in summer. So the front mount is out.
So I had to think outside the box. A water to air intercooler became the best option, as it is by far the best performer, and it's easy to run the small coolant lines to a front mount heat exchanger. Normally these systems cost a fortune, however I scored a decent used setup on Ebay for $240 shipped to my door. I've got a bunch of leftover 2" aluminum intercooler piping at home that I'll use for the charge pipes in the engine bay. I'll use some general purpose heater hose, and may share my radiator expansion tank, as I'll run the same rad fluid in the intercooler system.
Heres a few pics of the parts coming in the mail:
Heat Exchanger (26"x7"x2"):
Bosch water pump:
Subaru Legacy RS water air intercooler core (will get sandblasted and repainted, don't worry, haha):
I'll post more pics and some feedback on performance once I get it all installed in early November. Around the same time I plan to re-do the down pipe and exhaust. Should make a big difference...
Also, here is my engine bay. The intercooler core will sit between the battery and fuel filter. Charge piping will run across the top of the engine.
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