Intercooler Repair

[dangaz]

I have not had much luck with coolers on my 32 gts-t, the first HKS core was stolen from WSID. The second (Hybrid) last night was damaged when I hit a full grown wombat at 90km/h.

Rather than buying a new core is anyone able to tell me actually how much damage a FMIC take before you have to make it into an arty coffee table???

I don't have access to a digital camera but I will describe the damage.

10cm height, 7.5cm length positioned near the end tank.

In this area the fins are bent but the veins through the core have only indented about 5mm.

So to recap.....is this core still usable with some TLC, or does anyone know of a repair shop that will repair this damage......or should I just get a cheapie and cut my losses. Any advice will be welcomed. cheers Dan

RIP Walter the Wombat.

[Nathan_G1]

Intercoolers cant take that much damage dude....have u actually ran the car? is it still making as much power? id think it wouldnt be. Its not really an expensive area anymore as people like just jap get cores for $300 and there 650X300X75 i think, its up to u wat size.......id suggest replacing it mate

[Robbo]

How long is a piece of string? you ask the question "...how much damage a FMIC take.." which is an imposible question to answer.

Intercoolers these days as Nathan has implied are so cheap these days that repairing them is really nonsensical.

Because they are so intricately constructed with thin walls and fine louvres for better heat transfer they are hard to repair properly.

I'd say if the cooler is leaking obviously it needs to be replaced. If its bent then thats really only cosmetic and therefor it'd be your call. If it has a large area of damage where the fins have been folded over and no longer flows air then the intercooler isn't doing its job and obviously due for replacement. It's a tedious job but you can straighten each individual fin/folded louvre with a fine tip like a seal pick or flat blade screwdriver.

Just use your common sense.

[inissane]

my cooler was smashed too, see threadcooler puncture

in the end got a new one cause they are cheap

[dangaz]

Car still runs, have turned the boost riiight down. I will head to just jap and get a new core.....third time lucky I hope. Thanks for your help guys!